The goals of Obama’s administration, to dismantle the Al-Qaeda and to revive anti-Taliban regime, have been accomplished. Retrospectively, the Obama administration had planned to reduce its troop presence, in Afghanistan from some 9,800 to nearly 5,500 by the end of 2015. With the recent Ashraf-Obama rendezvous the White House has professed to halt the drawdown of troops.
This would create dire straits for the US economy in general and the world in particular. Furthermore, for the US’s victory against Taliban remains quite elusive. It goes without saying that Afghanistan’s armed forces are affected by drug abuse and desertion. Without Washington’s patronage, Afghan troops would find it hard to combat at all. But as a sequel of the NATO’s presence the region has been plagued by ‘Human Rights’ abuse and geostrategic rivalry. Since 9/11 attacks the region has been branded as a ‘rogue state’.
The US parting from Afghanistan might sooth Pakistan’s problems vis-à-vis militancy and terrorism. Islamabad accuses Delhi of fomenting militancy on its western borders. With the NATO’s withdrawal, the Indian intelligence would die a natural death. With the US and Euro-Atlantic lobby packing up from Afghanistan, it would be a remote possibility for India to covertly facilitate Baloch uprising in Pakistan. Many projects are on the cards with the US withdrawal from the war-torn Afghanistan. On capitalising this opportunity, Islamabad can make great stride in reviving stalled TAPI pipeline. Kabul’s impulse to impede the drawdown of NATO logistics would have imminent, obvious and potentially profound consequences for the region. President Ashraf Ghani’s intentions to lengthen the duration of the next round of American conflict with Taliban forces would turn the tables against Pakistan.
MASOOD AHMED SHAIKH,
Sindh, March 25.