[For the past two years or so that I’ve been meeting foreigners, especially Americans, the question they usually asked me was about the U.S troops in Afghanistan and basically what Afghans think of Americans being in the country. This is a short not that answers both the above and the question that what will happen when the foreign troops eventually leave Afghanistan.]
9/11 is a highlighted date throughout the world. Following it, the immediate action the U.S took ‘invasion of Afghanistan’ is also clear for many, but it’s interpreted differently across the countries. Unlike foreigners, Afghans have more positive interpretation of the presence of U.S and International Security Assistance Forces ‘ISAF’ in the country. People throughout the country-except some in the south and east- are happy with the current situation ‘invaded Afghanistan’ in contrast with Afghanistan before 2001. In central parts, in particular, having the international community on the ground, people are more optimistically working towards a better Afghanistan. And the voices that randomly rise up from here and there are only from the remaining of Taliban at certain areas and their in-the-government extremists who want the U.S troops to leave the country so that the Taliban can come back. They don’t happen as frequently, YET not to be underestimated while making decisions for the Afghanistan after 2014.
Despite their failures, Americans and ISAF have had their significant success in Afghanistan so far. For instance; the booming trend of education, security, agriculture, stability, women’s rights in particular, etc throughout the country in post-Taliban era by far are specifically worth to speak of, especially when it comes to central provinces. It doesn’t mean that the government pays more attention the central parts, but rather cooperativeness of the residents with the government and foreign donors matters. All has happened since 2001 invasion which to most foreigners seemed like the ones Russians and English did to Afghanistan decades ago.
After the invasion, people have cooperated with the ISAF and government in bringing the long-lost peace and stability back in the country. For instance, for a female, being the governor of a province for the first time in the history of a men-oriented country is not an easy task, but with the cooperation of people, Dr. Habiba Sarabi has been able to govern Bamyan relatively better than her counterparts in other parts of the country. The head of Human Right Commission in Afghanistan-where human rights had never been observed before- is run successfully by a female. This might be shocking to some, but in pre-9/11, Afghan females were forbidden from going to school and they were forced to be head-to-toe covered up with Chadars that made them look like penguins, all in blue popping up in the streets trying to walk. But now, surprisingly, about 30% of the parliament seats are owned by female MPs. Under the possibilities provided, women are unquenchably encouraged to get good education and have part in the government. Thus, the number of female school and college goers has increased significantly since 2001. However, Schools are still functioning with the least facility they have due to lack of attention from the government. In spite of all those shortcomings, one can easily witness the very enthusiasm amongst the attendees of those least-facilitated schools that give out an ongoing sense of hope for the future of the country. It all has been happening since 2001 Invasion.
Now the question to be answered is that why some of those in the south and south-west are not content with the presence of the U.S and other foreign donors in the country. Well, the fact that Afghanistan is a multi-ethnical country makes this question easier. The central part is home for the Hazaras, who as minorities have always been marginalized and massacred in silence ‘examples are; Afshar Operation or Afshar Massacre, Taliban Massacre in Mazar e Sharif’ are happy with the current situation, though they are still deprived of governmental development projects.
North is home for Tajiks, who unlike before, after the invasion haven’t really raised voice of violence and trouble, yet lost some of the men in the government; and Uzbeks, who are also ignored as minorities.
Remains the south, the longest border with Pakistan- where majority Pashtuns live, the largest ethnic group in the country. The Taliban were/are from this group and the reason why the government is stuck in these areas is because the remaining Taliban to be dealt with reside there. In other words, threats, explosions, suicide-attacks, extremism, strong ties with Pakistani militants, and so forth…All come from this area. And this is also where the voices rise wanting the U.S and ISAF troops to leave the country.
Keeping in mind that the U.S. and ISAF have had their mentioned success, Afghan government in agreement with the U.S. have decided to let the foreign troops leave the country by 2014 and responsibilities to be handed over to the Afghan police. To prepare for that, a negotiation process is going on with the Taliban these days. But that is just woefully INADEQUATE! If they are to actually leave in 2014, their a-decade effort and success will add up to zero and the remaining Taliban with the support of Pakistan and their Arab fellows; sooner or later will drag the country back towards the Afghanistan before 2001.
If the United States, ISAF and NATO have any hope of a successful outcome in Afghanistan, these shaky steps that are recently being taken to launch peace negotiations or whatsoever, must be reinforced by these few policy thrusts. First, they should reconsider; basically postpone the withdrawal date of their troops. Second, by the time they leave, there should be no more ties with the Pakistani militants and that the Terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan that interfere in Afghanistan must be dismantled. Third, they should make sure that the Afghan police are ready enough to undertake the security of their country.
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