Decades of turmoil have wrecked the country’s economy. The country is still one of the poorest countries on earth, it is riddled with drugs and guns and its people have some of the lowest levels of health and education anywhere. Afghnistan was the world's biggest producer of opium. A new U.N. drug assessment indicated this year's opium harvest could be higher than last year's record output. The U.N. claimed that the Taliban gunmen protect poppy farmers and taxed the crop, deriving money for their insurgency which was reportedly as much as hundreds of millions of dollars. Aside from offering protection, the Taliban also derived its local support from ethnic and tribal ties.
Ethnic rivalries run deep and war lords once again control much of the country. Afghanistan not only needs to revive its economy and establish a functioning government but it will need to rebuild all its institutions, including a military and a judiciary. Millions of mines will have to be removed and millions of refugees returned to their homes. Meanwhile, with help from the United States and the United Nations, Afghanistan had adopted its new constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic Republic, in early January 2004. Afghanistan's presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004 in which over 8 million people voted. Hamid Karzai won the elections with 55.4% of the votes. This was supposedly a landmark development in the country.
United States-Afghanistan Relations:
The United States and the Karzai government in Afghanistan have common strategic objectives and are cooperating to disrupt international terrorist networks and destroy their safe havens. The United States has also supported Afghanistan in the development of democracy in the country. To address these challenges, Afghanistan and the United States are building a strategic partnership and are establishing close cooperation, including regular, high-level exchanges on the political, security, and economic issues contained therein and other issues of mutual interest. The United States and Afghanistan are also earnestly working together to develop appropriate arrangements and agreements to implement their strategic partnership. This shared effort is based on a number of key principles, including a dedication to the rule of law, protection of the human rights and civil liberties of all individuals regardless of ethnic affiliations or gender, support for democratic governance, and reliance on the free market as the best means to further Afghanistan's economic progress. The strategic partnership's primary goal is to strengthen United States-Afghan ties to help ensure Afghanistan's long-term security, democracy, and prosperity. It should contribute to peaceful and productive relations between Afghanistan and its neighbors. This partnership will serve as the basis for our common efforts to cooperate in the war against international terror and the struggle against violent extremism, to promote stability and prosperity in the region, and to remain steadfast in supporting Afghanistan's campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation, provide alternate livelihoods assistance, and fight the production and trafficking of drugs. Decades of civil war, political violence, and interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs have made Afghanistan's security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity particularly crucial areas for United States-Afghan cooperation. To enhance Afghanistan's long-term democracy, prosperity, and security, the United States and Afghanistan intend to work closely together. However, the Karzai government’s efforts to build a government based on democratic principles, respect for human rights, and a market economy fall short of desired actions. A great many pitfalls remain.
NATO in Afghanistan is a formidable presence.
Today, foreign troops in the shape of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) continued to grow in Afghanistan. The ISAF was created in 2001and NATO took over its command and coordination in 2003. NATO’s deployment in Afghanistan was considered as a landmark in the history of the alliance. This was NATO’s first mission outside the traditional Euro-Atlantic area. The ISAF's key military tasks include: curbing the Taliban, assisting the Government of Afghanistan in extending its authority across the country; conducting stability and security operations in co-ordination with the Afghan national security forces; and supporting Government of Afghanistan program to disarm illegally armed groups. NATO took over command and coordination of ISAF in August 2003. This was the first mission outside the Euro-Atlantic area in NATO’s history. Initially restricted to providing security in and around Kabul, NATO's mission now covers about 50% of the country's territory. The Alliance is currently in the process of further expanding its presence and role. Earlier, the ISAF numbered about 9,700 troops from 37 NATO and non-NATO troop contributing countries. The strategic command and control is exercised by NATO’s headquarters in Belgium. The ISAF’s role was to assist the Government of Afghanistan and the international community in maintaining security within the force’s area of operations. The ISAF supports the Afghan Government in expanding its authority to the rest of the country, and in providing a safe and secure environment conducive to free and fair elections, the spread of the rule of law, and the reconstruction of the country. It was widely believed that NATO is in Afghanistan for the long term, apparently as long as the Government of Afghanistan required its assistance. NATO was apparently also committed to Afghanistan and its future. Earlier, in 2005, NATO Foreign Ministers had endorsed a plan to assist the Afghan Government to extend and exercise its authority and influence across the country. The Plan addresses the tasks and challenges ISAF will face as it continues to expand its area of operations to the south and subsequently to the east of the country. It provided the strategic focus to create the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction across the country. It recognizes the primacy of the Afghan Government and the paramount importance of continued, coherent and consistent development of Afghan political institutions and security capability. In addition, it outlines clear arrangements for enhanced coordination and deconfliction between ISAF’s stabilization mission and the Coalition counter-terrorism mission. It also highlighted the need for ISAF to cooperate effectively with the other key international community agencies in Afghanistan, notably the UN, the EU, the G8 lead nations and the NGO community. It was planned that ISAF stability operations would be used to create an environment required enabling reconstruction and nation building activities to continue. The ISAF's key military tasks included: (1) Assisting the Afghan government in extending its authority across the country; (2) Conducting stability and security operations in co-ordination with the Afghan national security forces; and (3) Supporting Afghan government program to disarm illegally armed groups. Later, the ISAF expanded its area of operations to include six additional provinces: Day Kundi, Helmand , Kandahar , Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul ; four Regional Commands were established at: Mazar-e Sharif, Herat and Kandahar for ISAF Regions North, West and South respectively and one for the capital, Kabul. The ISAF will be increased by up to 6,000 personnel potentially bringing the total number to approximately 15,000. Currently 26 Allies and 10 non-NATO countries contribute some 9,000 personnel to the operation. Earlier, in June, Defense Ministers from 37 NATO and non-NATO countries reconfirmed plans to significantly increase the number of NATO-led peacekeepers in Afghanistan this summer and to move into the south of the country. This was the first ever meeting of NATO Defense Ministers and Defense Ministers from countries that contribute to NATO’s Afghanistan mission. It underlined the importance that NATO and its partner countries attach to the operation. Earlier, the Alliance had some 9,000 troops providing security assistance in Kabul, the North and West of the country. By summer 2006 this figure rose to about 16,000, and will also see the Alliance taking on additional tasks such as mentoring Afghan army units. Later, some 17,000 ISAF forces in Afghanistan were working with the Government Afghanistan and the international community to implement a comprehensive and all embracing development plan for the future of the country. Today, NATO and the ISAF are playing a crucial role in upholding Afghanistan’s security. The level of United States troops was now at 23,000. Troop strength in southern Afghanistan doubled, to about 6,000 under ISAF. According to plan, ISAF troops were to increase to 17,000 from about 9,000 throughout Afghanistan. Experts questioned whether some countries in NATO had the political will to handle the casualties certain to come in the south. ISAF troops were to move into places where they have never been, where they will likely find more resistance from the Taliban. Many experts believe the Taliban had stepped up its fight lately to take advantage of the transition in power, new troops on the ground and the unpopularity of the war in some NATO countries.
In early March 2007 NATO and Afghan forces launched their largest combined offensive yet into the mountains of southern Afghanistan where hundreds of hardcore Taliban insurgents held sway. The military action was comprised of 4,500 NATO and 1,000 Afghan troops. NATO hoped to establish security among a population now harboring Taliban insurgents, foreign fighters and drug traffickers, and rid the region of its shadow Taliban government, according to the ISAF officials. That would allow President Hamid Karzai's administration to make its first move into a lawless region overflowing with the poppies that fund the Taliban insurgency. NATO estimated that there were hundreds of hardcore insurgents in the area, as well as hundreds -- or perhaps thousands -- of foot soldiers hired to fight for the group. Reportedly NATO’s operation was supposed aimed at winning over a population long supportive of Islamic extremists was working closely with the government to prevent civilian casualties, which have dogged military operations here and caused an outcry by Karzai and other Afghans. Up to 20 civilian deaths in three incidents could be attributed to U.S. or NATO military action, Afghan officials and witnesses said.
The Afghan Government had little control over many parts of northern Helmand, and the British troops stationed there battled almost daily with insurgents. U.S. intelligence officials reported that Taliban fighters have flooded into the province in the late 2006 and early 2007, and there were now more fighters there than anywhere else in Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Ton van Loon, NATO's southern commander, said : "We cannot allow extremists, criminals and Taliban to decide what happens in this country …We need to make sure the government of Afghanistan with our support ... secures the area." Meanwhile, NATO had reaffirmed its commitment to expand in Afghanistan, despite the increased insurgency. NATO is committed to Afghanistan and its future. It was widely believed that NATO is in Afghanistan for the long term.
What is Pakistan’s Role in Afghanistan?
Pakistan, which once upon a time had supported the Taliban regime militarily and financially, made a drastic policy change after 9/11 and cooperated with the United States in going after Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. Despite this, Pakistan, led by General Musharraf, still tried to influence the future stability of the Afghan government by supporting the political process in Afghanistan. Some have suggested that Pakistan should do more to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists operating in Afghanistan and along the Pak-Afghan border. Meanwhile, the United States, Afghanistan, and the coalition often blame Pakistan for not doing enough in the Global War on Terror.
The Government of Pakistan had pleaded that it was already taking difficult steps to combat terrorism and for the first in recent history we have sent regular troops to the tribal area. Pakistan was taking these steps because it believed that having peace in Afghanistan was in its own interest. Moreover, the 2,500-kilometre Pakistan-Afghan border was difficult to monitor and control because of the rough terrain. Peace in Afghanistan could also pave the way for the return of Afghan refugees. Those among the Taliban who were willing to be included in the mainstream should be given the chance to surrender their arms and join the political process. The military action should only be taken against those who refuse to accept a peaceful solution to the Afghan crisis. Instead of accusing each other and raising baseless allegations, both the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should join hands against their common enemy of terrorism and extremism. They should avoid the blame game. Pakistan continued its support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan to maintain regional stability. Pakistan wanted to strengthen economic and trade ties with Afghanistan. The Government of Pakistan was convinced that the destinies of the two countries were intertwined. The two countries have a deep rooted relationship based on shared history, culture, common faith and economic interdependence. Pakistan wanted a strong, stable, progressive and prosperous Afghanistan because it was in the interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan had even welcomed Afghanistan’s membership to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan had provided consistent support to Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts to achieve peace, stability and prosperity. Pakistan was located at the confluence of three important regions of the world – South Asia, Central Asia and China – and provided the shortest access to the sea for all landlocked countries of Central Asia including Afghanistan. Pakistan’s geo-strategic location had revitalized the country’s role in the promotion of multi-sector and inter-regional cooperation, which was the basis for peace and prosperity in the region. Earlier, Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, of which two million were still living in Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan has maintained friendly relations with the Karzai government in Afghanistan, and provided diplomatic, political and financial support to it. Trade between the two countries has been increasing and it was now more than $1.2 billion and over 60,000 Pakistanis were working in Afghanistan. In the future the gas pipeline networks between Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and other countries of the region would provide a chance to further promote friendly relations.
The United States itself had miserably failed to do enough for Afghanistan. Despite the tall claims of the United States the country was in a serious mess. The Karzai government was effectively limited to just Kabul and that the militia commanders and the drug barons are likely to remain unchecked in the rest of the country. The media reports that the United States has failed to stem increasing Taliban infiltration from Pakistan. Because of recent United States military action against civilian populations, Taliban has grown in strength and has been able to recruit hundreds of fighters for its cause. The media has also reported that the United States is planning to increase its troops in Afghanistan because it is convinced that nation-building is a serious undertaking requiring more American commitment and resources. Britain has stepped forward to increase its presence along with the United States, according to media reports.
Pakistan has paid a high cost for the three decades of instability in Afghanistan. The sacrifices made for Afghanistan’s stability, ever since the Soviet defeat was indeed immense. Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, of which two million were still living in Pakistan. Thus, the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan was mostly supportive of the Karzai Government and that it had been playing a stabilizing role in a region facing many challenges. Pakistan is playing a very significant role in bringing stability in Afghanistan.
Certainly, Pakistan was doing whatever it could, under the circumstances, in the global war on Terrorism. It had sustained more casualties in the fight against terrorists than both Afghan and international forces put together. This showed Pakistan’s commitment to the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, Pakistan had maintained friendly relations with the Karzai government in Afghanistan, and provided diplomatic, political and financial support to it. Stability and peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s own best interests. Meanwhile, Pakistan looks forward to a cooperative security arrangement with the Western allies to meet new requirements. Pakistan also wishes to assist the ISAF in its stabilization operations in the country. But fighting terrorism was not only Pakistan’s responsibility and international and Afghan forces should also expedite their efforts to overcome this menace. The struggle to uproot extremism was described as a battle for hearts and minds and it was acknowledged that it would take time to achieve this objective. The emergence of extremism in South Asia was linked to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan when groups from around the world were brought to the region to fight the Soviet forces. Better coordination among the forces combating extremists and better and quick intelligence sharing were needed to tackle this problem. The way forward should encompass a robust and practical political component along with the military one.
The commitment to fight terrorism must also include a fight for global justice, especially for Muslim causes. Nothing else will do. The West must recognize the grievances of the Muslims and help them to achieve a life of honour and dignity. Only justice can stop the likes of Al Qaeda.
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