The US Will Prolong Its Presence in Afghanistan Until 2024

Americans want to protect their control over this strategically important region.

The United States will remain in Afghanistan after the year 2014. Kabul and Washington both agree upon this strategic partnership, reported U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, during a visit to Colombia on April 24.

The agreement still must pass through other governmental branches in both countries. It will be written, best case scenario, at the end of May at the NATO summit in Chicago. It is, however, already clear that the United States does not plan to leave Afghanistan, considering the key role it plays in controlling the tumultuous region, which also includes Iran, Iraq and Pakistan.

The main document – which is a foundation for security not only in the region but also in the entire world, as well as a starting point for Afghanistan’s development – was reported by Rangin Spanta, an advisor for the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.

By the end of 2014, the 130,000 troops from the International Security Assistance Force are to leave their current responsibilities in Afghanistan. After this exit, 25,000 military specialists will remain and will be stationed in eight well-fortified bases. Seven of these bases will be located on the border of Afghanistan, and one will be located in the center of the country at the Bagram Air Force Base, the large Soviet base that was located there between 1979 and 1989. For comparison, roughly 20,000 American contingent specialists remained in Iraq. The Soviet military in February 1989 left Afghanistan entirely, with the exception of leaving security forces in the embassy and consulates.

The United States wants to prolong its presence until at least 2024, according to Vyacheslav Nekrasov, the secretary of the Council of Federation working with the National Assembly of Afghanistan.

If America strives to preserve its control over the region, then Afghanistan will negotiate the maximum financial and military help from the prolonged presence of these foreign forces.

According to Nekrasov, the current regime of Afghanistan will not survive without U.S. support, considering the growing threat of the Taliban. Therefore, last year Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai began to convince tribal elders of the importance of lengthening the time Americans remain in Afghanistan.

The pro-American attitude of Hamid Karzai does not resonate positively among the population, consisting of the rural Pashtun clan. According to Nekrasov, the Taliban considers many ordinary Afghans to be the defenders of their country from the Americans, who have created a negative impression of themselves during their presence in Afghanistan since 2001.

Nekrasov feels that the Taliban will gain wide support if it is successful at eliminating the need for a foreign presence in Afghanistan. Today many in Afghanistan warmly recall the early 1990s, when the Taliban destroyed the factories and the social infrastructure built by the USSR back in the 1960s.

While visiting Afghanistan on official business, Nekrasov is often asked the following question: “When will Russia become involved in Afghanistan?” In the meantime, Russia does not show any clear indication that it plans to associate itself with Afghanistan. Today, the United States has more ability to control this region than Russia.

American bases remain in excellent condition; the air fields possess modern covering and are now capable of receiving heavy aircraft. Every one of these bases offers a strong fortress with layers of underground construction. Most importantly, the U.S. maintains control of the country due to the help of high-tech weapons.

In the last two and a half years, NATO forces in Afghanistan have decreased due to the benefits of modern technology. Americans declare that their remaining forces in Afghanistan will lead operations against terrorists – similar to the mission in Iraq. After the exit of American forces under the supervision of military advisers and security forces, 2,000 U.S. Special Forces remained to lead effective anti-terrorist actions.