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Who’s Interests?

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As negotiations of terms for restoring the NATO Supply Route start, pitting the indignant Pakistani government against their American counterparts certain issues need to be brought into consideration in the light of certain ground realities in Afghanistan.
After a decade of fighting a lost war and spending up to a trillion dollars to “capture Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice” in Afghanistan, the US is no close to meeting the objectives of its war than it was eleven years ago. At the recent NATO Summit the US claimed that a 4 billion dollar package for post war Afghanistan would cement the US installed government there and “trainer” garrisons posted in the country will further ensure the stability of the Karzai regime. This as far as previous warfare experiences have taught is utter poppycock. The aid will eventually dwindle, the soldiers slowly back off and Karzai will have to exit before you can say Taliban. That’s what happened in 1989 when Soviet Union stopped sponsoring its puppet ruler in Kabul. Secondly several NATO allies have announced their decision to unilaterally start removing their troops showing a widening gap of trust and faith in the alliance; a fissure that grew steadily ever since NATO has taken on itself the imperative to overstep its mandate and interfere politically and militarily on America’s behalf.
By encouraging India’s involvement in Afghanistan, the US hopes once again to use a proxy to contain the festering situation in Afghanistan especially after 2014. Increasing friendship between America and India and growing antagonism between Pakistan and America points towards an unprecedented level of high handedness by the stronger of the two allies. Despite the ubiquitous anti-Americanism spawning in Pakistan, America tries to force Pakistani leaders into passing laws detrimental to Pakistan’s own national interest. Playing favorites in the region at a point when focusing on a face saving exit strategy would be the best stratagem will win America no laurels. Moreover the race for colonial spheres of influence would be one India should for all intents and purposes steer clear of, especially considering the fact that the Karzai government is ephemeral at best and might just be the harbinger of a civil war post 2014.
Instead of viewing Pakistan’s attempts to establish links with Afghan militant organizations as a stab in the back, the US should view this as inevitability. History must not be repeated and peace must be made. With the people of Afghanistan, the rulers America displaced as well the government now in power; peace must be made.
So now when Pakistan sits at the negotiating table with the big guns from NATO and USA, the backdrop of a defeated exit needs to lie thick in the air. We need to first come to terms with whose interests we as a nation need to protect. This is not the time to bend over backwards and give precedence to American interests over ours.
By Sarah Eleazar

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the SPY EYES Analysis and or its affiliates. The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). SPY EYES Analysis and or its affiliates will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements and or information contained in this article.

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