The New American Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan

There is nothing new in the policy submitted by American President Barack Obama regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan. All of the points were similar to ones used by previous American administrations; however, the threatening and authoritative tone was employed so America could maintain a high morale. In addition to their assertion that they will finish off al-Qaeda’s base, which is merely a pipedream, Obama, with his recent announcement of an exit strategy from Afghanistan, clearly exposed the fact that America and its coalition forces will have to admit defeat. The new policy actually reveals the defeated, hysterical American mentality.

American and coalition forces have lost their war with the Taliban, so now they want Pakistan to convert their defeat into a victory for them, which is not possible. Despite employing all of its military power, it has failed in Waziristan, Bajorh, Deir and Swat. The Pakistani military itself had to make a treaty with Taliban fighters after being defeated on its own territory. America now wants the Pakistani government to break all of its treaties with the Taliban and wants Asif Alif Zadari to invade those regions like General Parvez Musharraf did. In that case, if the government succumbs to American pressure, then it would be just like sawing off the branch on which is sits. We have witnessed the outcome of invading these regions; the attacks made during the reign of Parvez Musharraf erased our own (Pakistani) dominance in the region and caused heavy losses to the nation. Now President Asif Ali Zadari’s and the government’s intelligence is being tested; they have to decide whether they will bow to America’s will and massacre their own citizens, or whether they will support the demand for pushing out all foreign forces from Afghanistan in order to protect Pakistan and its citizens. It is an absolute fact that the dream of maintaining peace in the region is not possible unless American and European forces retreat from Afghanistan.

The threatening manner used by Barack Obama reveals a severely humiliated America who wants to put all of the blame for its defeat on Pakistan’s shoulders, and consequently, there is a great danger of increased American drone strikes on Pakistani soil. Moreover, as occurred last year, American forces deployed in Afghanistan may cross over into Pakistani land. President Obama has said that the tribal region between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the most dangerous region in the world. Now the next question is whether he knows that it was this same region where America won its war against the former USSR by establishing a link with the Taliban and is now pushing to control the mineral resources of Middle Eastern countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, even though she is facing the most resistance it has ever faced. America hopes to control Afghanistan by using all of the latest destructive weapons, but all her attempts are in vain, resulting only in failure and disappointment. The world should have to acknowledge the fact that despite having insufficient resources and a lack of manpower, a few thousand Mujihideen (Holy Fighters), powered by faith, have accomplished much, which is probably impossible for the military of any country which has millions of personnel to admit. And the Pakistani army also had to learn that same lesson before finally making a peace treaty with Moulvi Sufi Mohammed to keep the peace in Swat. If the treaty failed to hold, then it would be very unfortunate for the nation as we would have to face further troubles in the near future.

The forces pushing their evil agendas should not forget what happened to the former USSR in the recent past. A handful of Mujihideen (Holy Fighters) had turned Russian pride into dust and the same fate will befall America. So the leaders of Pakistan should not commit the mistake of relying on anti-Islamic forces against the passions of their faithful (Muslim) citizens. It should be noted that in the last thirty years, this region has been acting as the base of support for defensive forces of the Islamic world against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, America in Iraq, Israel in Lebanon and Gaza, and now America and its coalition forces in Afghanistan have been defeated by the same forces. Even our own Pakistan had to fail for its war objectives in Swat, Bajorh and Waziristan to be met. All of the successes of the defensive powers of the Islamic world are miracles, and merely on this basis, a new world order is coming into existence. Can America and its coalition forces fulfill their war goals by neglecting this important fact? America is apprehensive that upon leaving Afghanistan, the Taliban would come into power in Afghanistan and Pakistan, causing these surrounding areas to fall into anarchy. America and Afghanistan should recall whether when America attacked Iraq in 1990 by isolating Afghanistan and Pakistan, the area fell into anarchy? Never mind that the Taliban had established an ideal peace in the country and that democracy has become stronger in Pakistan. Therefore, if the occupying forces vacate Afghanistan, there will be peace and harmony in the whole region like in Iraq after America announced its withdrawal. Therefore, using force, putting pressure on Pakistan and finishing al-Qaeda, as the characteristics of the “new” policy are meaningless and fruitless. Their consequences will not be good for America.

The ground realities and swiftly changing conditions of the region demanding that there should be a new direction in American-Afghan policy. And the matter should be solved through understanding and diplomacy. It is also important that Russia, China, Iran, India and the Middle Eastern countries are also involved in preparing a comprehensive roadmap to be implemented by the UN. As the withdrawal from Afghanistan commences, suitable steps should be taken for the restoration of peace in the region. As conditions improve, our foreign policy should also go in the right direction.

Foreign policy will not go in the right direction unless we have started to go down the right road domestically. The Pakistan’s People Party is a large political party whose responsibilities are also great. Currently, the public is going through a very odd situation, making Nawaz Sharif’s role very pivotal, and the nation demands that he plays an active role to ensure that our national future may not once again fall victim to monarchy. The reinstatement of Chaudhari Ifthikhar is also a tremendous high point for the nation. It is expected that the exploitation of the poor and hapless will end with the establishment of a judicial system where they can receive cheap and equal justice. These are the personalities that can play a very important role in our nation’s history. Now, the nation is looking to see whether the people of Swat will receive that justice or not. Social justice is the thing that can resurrect even the dead.

The statements from the president and the prime minister of Pakistan reveal that they have welcomed the new American policy, which is actually not right since Pakistan could face serious problems if it were implemented. A unanimous road map can be compiled after thorough consideration and a detailed discussion. We have had the experience of doing everything in haste. So, we should take the utmost precautions.