Strange! Hight of hypocrisy! Afghan ruling their country is not acceptable by the US. Unfortunately, Afghanistan is under war or as a war situation since 1979. Forty-Two years of unrest, in the country has brought up three to four generations, Father, grandfather, son, and grand-son have suffered due to unrest in Afghanistan. Due to this unrest, Afghans are facing the issue of pursuing their fundamental rights under the UN charter. The world must know that the rights of Afghans are as important as any other issue.
Ups and downs are a historic fact in the lives of nations, many nations have passed several peaks and bottoms in history, but the longest disaster was unique in the case of Afghanistan, and the worst thing is that it seems never-ending, as the US is planning to punish Afghanistan for its defeat.
Read more: No music in Afghanistan as 100 musicians flee fearing Taliban crackdown
What Trump has to do with the Afghan crisis?
However, senior military officials in the United States have linked the collapse of the Afghan government and its security forces in August to former President Donald Trump’s deal with the Taliban in 2020 promising a complete withdrawal of US troops. General Frank McKenzie, the head of Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that once the US troop presence was pushed below 2,500 as part of Washington’s bid to complete a total withdrawal by the end of August, the unraveling of the US-backed Afghan government accelerated. “The signing of the Doha agreement had a really pernicious effect on the government of Afghanistan and on its military, psychologically more than anything else, but we set a date, certain for when we were going to leave and when they could expect all assistance to end,”
McKenzie said. He was referring to a February 29, 2020, agreement that the Trump administration signed with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, in which the US promised to fully withdraw its troops by May 2021 and the Taliban committed to several conditions, including stopping attacks on US and coalition forces.2700 soldiers, and twenty long years, yet could not win the war, or could not gain control over a single inch of land in Afghanistan. It was well perceived by the US deep state that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. The withdrawal was unavoidable. The only option for face-saving was withdrawn under a deal. It is believed that the peace deal has saved the US face from humiliation and guaranteed a safe exit.
Secretary of defense admitted miscalculations and unexpected events, as the US has not thought of the collapse of the Afghan National Army etc. They have not conceived so quick recapture of Taliban, They have not expected that there will be zero resistance to Taliban or welcome by the public. Unexpected events happen when a superpower is defeated and exits from a small country, the poorest country, the war has torn, and war-damaged country like Afghanistan.
Read more: Afghanistan highlights link between religious soft power and Gulf states security
Taliban is the son of the soil and true Afghans. They struggled and fought against Americans for two decades. They suffered heavy losses, sacrificed their close relatives and friends, suffered jail terms, passed many detentions, investigations, and tortures, yet finally won the war.
Taliban as the rulers of Afghanistan: fate or destiny?
When they recaptured the country, the Afghan National Army, surrendered and offered zero resistance. The general public also welcomed them. There was a general perception in the public that the Taliban are true Afghans and were fighting against foreign occupation. Taliban was the protector of Afghan national interest and were fighting for the sovereignty of the country.
Taliban were pushed out by Americans in 2001, and when, they regained power in their own country, they granted a general amnesty and extended protection of all individuals, either Afghans or foreign nationals. The ensured law and order situation. They allowed all foreigners or Afghans to leave the country at their own will. They have not restricted any individuals to leave the country or force them to leave. Every individual was allowed to stay in Afghanistan or leave at his / her free will, without any discrimination either Afghan national or foreigner.
There is peace and stability in Afghanistan. Life is very smooth and calm. The traffic on the road is in a routine. Bureaucracy is a function according to a normal routine. All government officials are working absolutely normally. Women are working in a routine matter. Shops are opening according to a normal routine. Girls are going to school in a perfectly normal manner. The Government grip and writ is very much visible. The general public is happy and comfortable.
Read more: Financial Times report says PM Khan was right about Afghanistan
Future challenges for Afghanistan
However, the economy is facing severe challenges, freezing of Afghan assets, and sanctions are hitting the nation hard. There exists an acute shortage of fuel, food, medicines, etc. If humanitarian assistance is not reached in time, a big human disaster may occur. 40 million people’s life is at stake. The rapidly deteriorating situation, as the winters are approaching, may lead to catastrophe.
On the other hand, the US is determined to punish Afghanistan and imposing strict sanctions. The recent bill under discussion in the US Congress is full of hate, and revenge. It seems, the US will not allow peace and stability in Afghanistan. The American ill-designs and evil approach are very much reflected in the Bill. The suffering of Afghans may not end in the near future. Economic coercion, media coercion, political coercion, may lead to disaster in Afghanistan.
The US has the potential to harm Afghanistan with the help of three forces: Afghan nationals, working for the US, either directly or under NGOs, or the CIA. This is a strength of few hundred thousand. Secondly, the Defense contractors, who can initiate terrorism and civil war. Thirdly, the US organized, US-funded, US-weaponized, US-Trained, and US-backed ISIS-K.
Read more: US war in Afghanistan was a strategic failure: Top US general
Afghans are not the people of lesser God, it is appealed to all nations and individuals to raise their voice for Afghans. It is their fundamental right to rule their country, according to their own traditions, tribal system, culture, and with their own free will. It is up to the public to decide their rulers. No foreign interference in a sovereign state should be allowed. The UN and international community may ensure the fundamental right of the people of Afghanistan, and prevent any country, including America to interfere in the domestic politics of Afghanistan.
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. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.