By Zamir Awan for the Saker Blog
The recent air strikes on the Taliban positions in Afghanistan is an open breach of the Peace Treaty signed between the Taliban and Trump administration in February 2020. Pentagon officials said earlier this month that the commander of U.S. forces in the region, Central Command’s General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, would retain the authority to call for airstrikes in support of Afghan forces until the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was complete, which is completely contrary to the Peace deal. It is illogical. It might lead to more confrontation and spoil the regional efforts for seeking a political and sustainable solution to the Afghan issue. After fighting for two decades, a humiliating defeat was the destiny for America. After withdrawal, such strikes will be more counterproductive.
According to the Peace deal, the U.S. troops would have withdrawn by May 2021. President Joe Biden.s decision to delay withdrawal till September 2021 was against the agreement reached between the two sides. Another part of the deal was that the U.S. forces would not target or attack the Taliban, and the Taliban will also not attack the American troops reciprocally. However, the Taliban are committed to the peace deal with true spirit and have not violated any part of the deal. In contrast, Americans are breaking the agreed-upon contract, which is condemnable.
Although, the U.S. has a history of breaching international deals, especially during the last few decades when the U.S. enjoyed the status of a single superpower in the unipolar world. The U.S. was acting unilaterally, either the withdrawal of a Nuclear deal with Iran or imposing sanctions on adversaries, war on Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, etc., or Ukrain issue, etc.
But with the rise of China and the revival of Russia, the geopolitics has already changed; the U.S. must understand the changing dynamics and respect the international norms.
The U.S. airstrikes were highly condemned, and the regional powers have shown deep concerns. The whole region is struggling to achieve Peace in Afghanistan and trying its best to bring stability in Afghanistan. American actions such as airstrikes may derail the peace process. The strength and development of the whole region depend on the stability and developments in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is situated at a traditional and ancient Silk Route, connecting Central Asia, Esat Asia, South Asia, Eurasia, China, and Russia further through Gwadar- Pakistan, to onward destinations in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Afghanistan is a junction of important trade routes. Peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan is the first step for regional Peace, stability, and development – Afghan Peace is a Prerequisite.
There is complete harmony and consensus among all the neighbors of Afghanistan and regional countries that Peace and stability are required in Afghanistan urgently. China and Russia are also contributing toward Afghan Peace and tranquility.
However, few countries are known as “spoilers” that are harming Peace in Afghanistan, including the US, India, and Israel. To some extent, the Afghan Government is also trying to create unrest and instability to prolong their rule further.
It is well understood that the Government of Ashraf Ghani or Hamid Karzai were not representatives of the Afghan people, not loyal to Afghanistan. Both of the two were puppet governments installed by America and were devoted to American and foreign forces occupying Afghanistan. They have no roots in Afghanistan and have never protected Afghan interests. They were installed in Afghanistan by Americans and were safeguarding American interests. They were killing the Taliban on dictations from Americans and serving American agendas. The Americans gave them this job, and they were loyal to Americans only. They could not balance between the American interests and Afghan interests. Their role was just like the roles of President Noor Muhammad Turkey, President Hafizullah Amin, President Babrak Karmel, and President Dr. Najeeb under the former USSR occupation of Afghanistan during 1980s.
As both President Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai were following the footprints of Afghan Presidents under ex-USSR occupation, so it is conceived that their end will be similar or not much different from them. The two presidents enjoyed the American support and ruled the country for two decades, that should be enough, and their greed should be reached to an end. They must not think of any share in future political setup in Afghanistan. Even, It is believed that they may not be allowed to live in Afghanistan or face war crimes against their own people.
Currently, Taliban controls over 90% of Afghanistan and almost all important cities. They are very close to Kabul and are capable of capturing Kabul at any moment conveniently. There is very little resistance from Government troops, and most of them are surrendering and joining Taliban. Taliban also captured modern weapons and war machinery from Bagram Air base, which the American troops have left in the darkness of night in a very hap-hazard manner. They could not hand over the control to the incoming commander.
Taliban are brilliant and just waiting for an appropriate timing to enter Kabul and declare the rule. From military point of view they can capture Kabul very conveniently, but politically, they are waiting until they got international recognition. They had learned a bitter lesson in the past when in the 1990s, they established their Government, only a few countries recognized their legitimacy, and they failed to convince the rest of the world. This time, they might play smartly and wait till their legitimacy is recognized internationally, and they may not face the similar fate in future. If Russia and China recognize their rule, many other countries under their influence will recognize them too. Americans signed the peace deal with them and have recognized them as legal and legitimate hairs of Afghanistan. If Americans refuse to recognize their rule, it will be moral corruption merely.
Taliban are highly qualified and intelligent people; some have been educated in the USA and Europe; they understand Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering, politics, all modern sciences, etc., and religious education. They can establish a sustainable government and bring their country out of the crisis, and getting prosperity to the ordinary person is their plan. The Western media has been projecting a distorted image of the Taliban and tossing them as wild, cruel, and ignorant, and conservatives, which is wrong and just part of the hybrid war against Afghanistan. Taliban rule in the 1990s was one of the best eras in the recent history of Afghanistan, where the law and order situation was excellent, eliminated drugs, the crime rate was minimum, justice delivery was instant, and the public can relax and sleep fearlessly.
Taliban is in close interaction with neighboring states and the international community and will take over Kabul with the consent of the international community in a legitimate formal manner.
Taliban believes in a political settlement and is avoiding bloodshed. Taliban are struggling to form a broad-based political government involving all religious and ethnic factions. Afghanistan is a highly diverse country with a robust tribal system. There are many ethnic groups and religious schools of thought. Taliban are in dialogue with all factions and trying their best to build consensus. However, The current Government of Ashraf Ghani or Hamid Karzai is not included in these negotiations, as they are defeated and must leave the right to rule the country. During the last two decades, their performance was against the interest of Afghanistan and against the people of Afghanistan. They were acting on the directions received from their masters and serving their agenda only. They must quit and leave the country for Afghans only.
On the other hand, the U.S. must undersatnd that when they have 150,000 troops, 46-nations strong military, state of the art weapons, modern technology, and the best available military tactics, and long enough time of twenty years, they could not defeat the Taliban, how it is possible that a few bombers take off from Middle-east and carry out airstrikes in Afghanistan and expect any achivements. Such attempts may derail the peace process only but could not make American a victor. They can only commit war crimes and destabilize the country. If American wishes to keep unrest and instability in Afghanistan forever, it must be their blunder. The whole region is committed to bringing Peace and stability to Afghanistan. Americans must understand the changing geopolitics before committing more crimes against humanity.
However, The U.S. understands the potential of the Taliban and recognizes them as fundamental pillars of power in Afghanistan. They could not defeat them in a two-decades-long war. That is why they negotiated with the Taliban directly, without involving the Afghan Government of Asharaf Ghani. The Peace deal was reached and signed between the Taliban and the U.S. Administration. President Ashraf Ghani’s Government was not part of negotiations nor part of the deal. It is conceived that the impotent Government of Ashraf Ghani is no more relevant in Afghan politics and future setups. It is understood that the Taliban will make their Government in Afghanistan.
China and Russia are the major powers in the region and have their stakes in Afghanistan. Russia on Friday accused elements in the U.S.-backed Government in Kabul of blocking power-sharing negotiations and praised the Taliban as “reasonable people.” India is also planning to send its troops to Afghanistan. Israel is involved secretly in sabotaging the peace process.
However, it is believed that the time has reached to end the suffering of the Afghan people and let Afghans decide their own future. An Afghan-owned and Afghan-Led solution may prove sustainable and long-lasting. People of Afghanistan are not the people of lesser God. After four decades of war, it is hoped that turmoil reached to an end. Taliban will defeat all spoilers and foreign forces against Afghanistan.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).
Excellent article. Thank you!
I, against my brothers. I and my brothers against my cousins. I and my brothers and my cousins against the world.
hey, jes sayin’…wish for them to stay the way they like to be…just with a little less bacha bazi and such hmmm…liberties…
Let’s hope the conflict rests now. The best way for peace it by leaving the Afghani alone. Absolutely no interventions, only if specifically asked by a legitamate government/ the Afghani people. Only the citizens of a country are entitled to decide what happens in their country and what rules are established.
China’s belt-and-road initiative could be a good starter for the ‘new’ Afghanistan to establish themselves in this world, both in economic as in political terms. But that aspect of foreign policy has to be decided – excactly as the domestic policies – only by the people of Afghanistan.
“…an open breach of the Peace Treaty signed between the Taliban and Trump administration in February 2020. Pentagon officials said earlier this month that the commander of U.S. forces in the region…would retain the authority to call for airstrikes in support of Afghan forces…”
Looks like the Pentagon now has the power to amend international treaties on its whim.
Not only now… the Pentagon has amended international treaties on its whim for the least 70 years. It’s only a sign of pure goodwill and optimism that countries continue to make agreements with Washington.
The treaties with the Native Americans were international treaties, the Indian Nations were equal to foreign sovereigns. 460 treaties, all violated, abrogated, nullified, shredded.
The US government is a criminal organization, always has been. Truly Exceptional.
As true as ever, the “agreement incapable” US is the very epitome of duplicity.
So when the critics of critical race theory (whatever that is) argue that the US and indeed all of NA were founded on the solid ethical european principles and judeo-christian values, they’re absolutely correct!
Absolutely right that the taliban reject any role for Ghani, karzai etc. An overview of the US sponsored paramilitary forces and their crimes and subservience to a foreign occupation.
Never forget the above was engineered by the lie that was nineleven.
Search and download the PDF. Sorry I didn’t know how to link it. An informative read.
The CIA’s “Army”:
A Threat to Human Rights and an Obstacle to Peace in Afghanistan
Astri Suhrke1 and Antonio De Lauri2
Chr. Michelsen Institute
August 21, 2019
“The ppl of Afghanistan r not ppl of a lessor God”
May God bless Mr Awan abundantly.
AF as a country, like PK did not exist 75 years ago. It like PK was carved out in such a way to be kept in a simmer for ever while the West grows. Leave AF to itself and it will grow? How? With what? These are issues the author dare not address…
How long has Afghanistan been a country?
Let’s ask the CIA:
“Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747.
The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in increased democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 communist countercoup.
The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war.
The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-communist mujahidin rebels.[WW:that’s a cute way of saying “us”]
A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country’s civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Usama BIN LADIN.”
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/afghanistan/
Let’s ask Wikipedia then.
• Hotak Empire
1709
• Durrani Empire
1747
• Emirate of Afghanistan
1823
• Recognised
19 August 1919
• Kingdom of Afghanistan
9 June 1926
• Declaration of Republic
17 July 1973
• Current constitution
26 January 2004
Kingdom’s are not the same as AF with boundaries as today. Thanks for playing.
Thank you Prof. Awan for this.
Could someone please advise me how troops from India might arrive in Afghanistan. Kabul Apt ?
Lasting peace to this tormented region, despite the spoilers.
Can you imagine the impact of the Taliban requesting for Russian S400s to be stationed in Afghanistan?
It would be intriguing to say the least if an understanding could materialise between the talibs and Russia.
The benefits would be mutual. Taliban ensure no overspill into the stans. The stans/Russia ensure no US bases or proxies to interfere in Afghanistan. An understanding to uncheck foreign hostile military proxies.
On top of that some form of air defence equipment to negate illegal airstrikes.
just a question: to my recollection S400 has never ever been deployed for real in battle and score an actual hit. I believe Russians do not intend to use it unless being pushed to crisis. I doubt they will contract it out to the Talibans as defense tool.
A new insight arises,—though wishing that this insight be completely 100% wrong.—And this is, that the ultimate goal for the “global 1%” is to support movements like the Taliban or the Islamic revolution in Iran, because those movements are supposed to eventually sweep away indulgent-wasteful-extravagant secular society worldwide and impose upon the 99% the very simple, humble, microregulated, micromanaged, micro-restricted lifestyle of so-called strict “pious Muslims” where everyone would be like monks or like nuns in monastic cells and convent cells, content to have access to and be content with only roughly 1% of planetary resources,—whereas the “global 1%” with some few special attendants and servants would have all the indulgence and extravagance they want and would have access to roughly 99% of planetary resources.
So “the 1%” end up living on “paradise planet” so to speak, exercising full technological, military and police powers and controls, while the 99% end up living in “God’s brave new world”—where neither their work nor consumption will be needed any more.
Assalaamu alaykum.
This sounds great. The only problem here is for the afghan people who will once again be forced to live under salafi oppression (and God knows best).
The Qur’an says that there is/should be no compulsion in the religion. Tell that to the Taliban and the afghan people and see what they answer.
This video gives a clear picture of the nature of the Taliban. https://youtu.be/zzBVvyBWDD4
May God bless you all.
1. these eternal sweeping comparisons, here between the occupation by the USSR and that of the USA, do not exactly testify to sufficiently developed historical knowledge, not to mention an understanding.
Decades of anti-communist indoctrination have left lasting damage.
2. We will see whether the Taliban prove worthy of the advance praise they have received here.
To glorify their rule in the 1990s across the board is inappropriate.
3. If the Taliban establish their power in the way they did in 1990, i.e., by “taking off the head” and “hanging,” their rule will hopefully not be recognized so readily. Pragmatic “working together” is, of course, inevitable.
4. It irritates us again and again how easily and loosely those who worked together with the USA are condemned. Certainly, illusions were connected with it, as far as the true motives of the USA are concerned. Their fundamental inability and unwillingness to recognize historically developed conditions and peculiarities, which cannot simply be “overwritten”, is also a widely underestimated problem of the “liberals”.
Nevertheless, one should not completely close one’s mind to the idea that they simply wanted to modernize their country, and I feel sorry for such people in view of what might be in store for them.