The whole issue of Afghanistan quagmire is muddled. Afghanistan’s destiny lies in its location as a conduit for trade and transit of goods and service to and from a resurgent and developing central Asia. For this, Afghanistan is integrally linked with its two closest neighbours, Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan plays a much bigger role as being a fellow majority Sunni Muslim country. Pakistan provides central Asia, via Afghanistan its transshipment newly built Gwadar deep sea port. Pakistan also serves as a trading hub for transit of trade from Bangladesh and India through its land routes to and from central Asia. Where do the Al Qaida and Taliban fit in this scenario? NATO’s vision and focus needs to be corrected. President Obama became hyperbole when he sounded of reaching out to the Muslim world. The Muslim world is in the offing of emerging as did China. The roadmap lies through democracy, played by the rules. This would level the field for ushering a new era in the whole of Middle East, central Asia and SAARC countries. The correct democratic process would put in place a two mainstream political party system, an independent election commission and judiciary. Trade and commerce would pave the way for peace and tranquility. That would trim the military spending and economy becomes the driving force to iron out petty problems. Iran’s Nukes would prove wastage of time, money and efforts. The key to this bonanza lies in a functioning democracy that is played by the rules.
The whole issue of Afghanistan quagmire is muddled. Afghanistan’s destiny lies in its location as a conduit for trade and transit of goods and service to and from a resurgent and developing central Asia. For this, Afghanistan is integrally linked with its two closest neighbours, Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan plays a much bigger role as being a fellow majority Sunni Muslim country. Pakistan provides central Asia, via Afghanistan its transshipment newly built Gwadar deep sea port. Pakistan also serves as a trading hub for transit of trade from Bangladesh and India through its land routes to and from central Asia. Where do the Al Qaida and Taliban fit in this scenario? NATO’s vision and focus needs to be corrected. President Obama became hyperbole when he sounded of reaching out to the Muslim world. The Muslim world is in the offing of emerging as did China. The roadmap lies through democracy, played by the rules. This would level the field for ushering a new era in the whole of Middle East, central Asia and SAARC countries. The correct democratic process would put in place a two mainstream political party system, an independent election commission and judiciary. Trade and commerce would pave the way for peace and tranquility. That would trim the military spending and economy becomes the driving force to iron out petty problems. Iran’s Nukes would prove wastage of time, money and efforts. The key to this bonanza lies in a functioning democracy that is played by the rules.