On Tuesday evening, US President Barack Obama will finally announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan. After months of deliberation, the president is expected to announce an escalation of US presence across the Durand Line by more than 30,000 troops. This represents a 50 per cent increase over the 68,000 troops already fighting in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the US Military Academy at West Point, Obama will emphasise that the goal of the troop surge is to stabilise Afghanistan and help build and train the country’s military and police forces.
In the US, and especially within the Democratic party, there are many critics of Obama’s decision. They say that the war has become too costly – it costs US$ 1 million, per soldier, per year – that military casualties are increasing, and that Afghan President Hamid Karzai is too marred by accusations of corruption to prove a viable ally against the Taliban.
A recent poll by USA Today/Gallup shows that 57 per cent of Democrats favour beginning a withdrawal from Afghanistan, while 72 per cent of Republicans back the troop increase.
What do you think of Obama’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan? Do you think a bolstered US presence will help win the war against terrorism? How will this decision impact the political and security situation in Pakistan?
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
President Obama didn’t have much choice. He has done a wise thing by correcting the direction of war effort.
Bush made the mistake of ramming into Iraq and Afghanistan. He should have targeted on Osama and Al-Qaida.
That is what Obama is trying to do.
It requires a much stronger commitment to convert Afghanistan into a modern state. That is what the British did to 19th century.
The kind of misadventure they are into cannot be retrieved by managerial improvements their experts advocate.
There is moreover conflict between the various partners and within NATO. Obama should try to address that. You cannot win a war when allies are so divided.
Whether it is the British or the U.S., they have nothing to loose. The soldiers will use Afghanistan and Pakistan as an exercise field and the people of these lands as shooting targets. The biggest losers will be the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Well, this is the best Obama can do. Reality is that the Policies in America are not dependant to a single person. Obama is a president of USA not Pakistan, they have decided to pull out there forces gradually (thanks God) and it’s the start.
And Faisal @Hasan Bin Hamza.
You have mentioned many country’s forces to replace them. But my question is why should we not replace them by AFGHAN army? Remember this war was not by choice it was a war imposed by USA and they admitted it, we have to focus our own national interest not Afghan’s. Our interest is back out of NATO troops from Afghanistan.
I think Obama’s strategy is sound. I don’t think announcing the time table of possible troop withdrawal will play into Al-Queda’s favor. A lot has changed, too many things have changed since 9/11. As of late American’s troops moral in Afghanistan is very low, the suicide rate among the troops is alarming, economic crisis at home is making people and politicians cringe at the idea of a prolonged war. With that in mind announcing a withdrawal schedule can give people and troops hope which will help in winning this war.
Obama has set clear and achievable goals. As I said before, too many things have changed, unlike the last time there is a huge Pakistani operation being conducted in the tribal belt, public for the most part has turned against the extremists, both in the cities and tribes, people want to see an end to violence at the hands of extremists. Now it’s up to the armies of Pak and America and Nato. Pakistan is doing it’s part very well and the results are in front of the world, no one is questioning Pakistan and it’s armies’ effort. US and allied forces can achieve the same success if they keep their eyes on the ball and advance with clear goals and objective. As long as there is no misadventure from American side i.e. Iraq the last time and this time Iran comes to mind or North Korea then I believe it is very possible that within the next few years the menace of Al-Queda can be uprooted giving both the Afghani and Pakistani people a terrorist free region to live in.
Mr. Obama and NATO aim in Afghanistan is to train the Afghan army to have control over its borders, and reign in terrorists.
I think it will take nearly fifty years to train an army like Afghanistan neighbors Iran and Pakistan may have. And Afghan army needs a strong air force that is not envisaged. An army without air support and creditable command doom to split into pieces.
I think US Congress pass a bill to run this country for 50 years or make it 53 US state develop this nation. During this 50 years all Al Qaeda leaders would be dead any way.
This Surge will work one way or the other.
Coming directly to point, US success in Afghanistan very much depends on how it deals with Pakistan. There is no doubt Pakistan is in deep trouble of its own making, but US should realize few important things.
Bin Laden always wanted Americans to set foot in Afghanistan and go the way of the Soviets – bankrupt and defeated. If Americans are defeated, these fanatics will ruin Pakistan.
Obama and US has no other option, alternatives are not acceptable to any nation. Taliban take over of Afghanistan spills catastrophe for the region and the world. Already significant numbers of Pakistani army is infiltrated with Taliban and Al-Qaida members, if Taliban takes over Afghanistan, this minority may try to control our army, not is a best of the scenarios for any one. I wish and hope that president Obama is successful in his efforts to get rid of these anti Islamic rogues called Taliban and/or Al-Qaida. With out understanding the Islam they are bringing bad name to our religion and to our country. Let’s help our government and President Obama to defeat these thugs.
It seems Obama has relied on a double pronged policy over the war on terror. On the one hand the US thinks over the option of talk with the Taliban while on the other hand they send more troops to Afghanistan. They might not be fools to be confused about the result of the war in Afghanistan! They might be doing it with a consistent policy. But whether it will work or not depends upon the time.
More US troops for Afghanistan is not going to help.
No where in the civilised world have terrorist / insurgency problems been militarily solved except by mass annihilation. This is not possible in the troubled Af-Pak mountainous region which eats away troops and munitions. The problem of the conflict area is many fold but primarily a mix of religion, politics, gun culture, corruption, illiteracy and total absence of modern education. The causes are so entwined that they cannot be separated from each other to solve them in isolation or tiers.
Let us face the facts. At the root of this gigantic problem are the small time mullahs who have occupied the vacuum created by lack of modern education. Their interpretation of Islam is both personal and prejudiced. They have learnt the art of mesmerizing young people with dreams and promises of Jannat in a manner that young people seeking knowledge are instead converted into zombies in perpetual stupor, prepared to do anything to achieve such a dream. This mass psychological exploitation by semi-literate mullahs is the root cause of all that is happening in the region. Unfortunately in this scenario the politicians and armed forces have also begun depending upon such religious leaders for their agenda.
No amount of expenditure on troops and hardware movement is, therefore, going to solve this problem because the cause remains intact in the region.
The remedy lies in picking up all mullahs, teachers and preachers in the region and giving them a grand tour of the civilized world, exposing them rapidly to modern education and true interpretation of Islam and its ideals. On return they can be given the responsibility to go back to teaching in schools. This exposure for a year or two away from their home turf will do what all the troops in the world cannot do. This approach will be less expensive, more effective and will save loss of lives. Instead of the heavy-handed approach from the top, try out soft approach at the grass-root level.
Mr. Obama will do well if he takes this approach to spend billions of dollars to change the mind-set in existence in the Af-Pak troubled region instead of sending more troops and spending more human lives.
Actually it has been doing since long, sending a numbers of troops to Afghanistan is not a solution to overcome the situation running in Afghanistan. Obama had promised that he would not wear the shoe of bush and during his campaign he condemned the policies of bush in the middle east particularly his decision is not an strategically and no change can be happened. However, Obama can help to win the war against terrorism only when he changed the foregoing policies against so called Taliban, if he is really serious in the matter US must help and give the Pakistan all the resources to tackle the condition from the region. What the US got result from sending troops to Afghanistan, nothing so far yet been received. moreover, the game of US is now going to take over the sovereignty of Pakistan by doing this because by sending about 30,000 troops to Afghanistan its impact shall obviously be on the Pakistan’s security and politics. US from one side wishes to eradicate the terrorist from Pakistan and on other side he is sending troops to Afghanistan which may cause the emergence of Taliban to Pakistani limits, whereof, the access of troops to Pakistan shall also be easy, which may directly impact the security / integrity and stability of Pakistan.
If they can kill Osama Bin Laden and strengthen Afghan enforcement against Taliban, then they could leave in positive note. But then Osama Bin Laden is most likely in Pakistan.
I think as soon as they leave Taliban will take over Kabul unless they also kill Mullah Omer and other key Taliban’s.
So in short, if they can get Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omer this time, I think it is worth it.
The increase in the number of US and Nato forces will make no difference at all. The situation in Afghanistan will get worse and an increase in the number of troops has always been counter-productive in fighting insurgents. History tells us the same and so does common sense. The fact that Obama has given a two year timeline for the complete withdrawal of US and subsequently, Nato forces is a welcome call but it goes against the theory that increasing the number of troops will bring stability by training afghan forces and police because given afghan history and culture, two years is just not enough to create an afghan force which can keep Taliban at bay, let alone guarding American interests in Afghanistan.
America left Afghanistan in a mess after soviets withdrew and if it does the same Afghanistan will remain a home to the likes of Osama Bin Laden. Instead of investing $1million per soldier every year it can do well by investing in the people of Afghanistan by giving them good education.
Being a Pakistani it is natural for me to think about Pakistan’s interests and I think – as we have lacked in the past 62 years – again we do not have the leadership who can talk the Americans out of Afghanistan because no matter how much anyone can argue, as long as American and Nato forces are in Afghanistan peace in fata is unthinkable. We are not getting a fraction of what America is spending on its soldiers in Afghanistan yet we have, and are still losing more soldiers then the combine loss of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.
According to some of these posts Pakistan’s problems are just a result of the bad American’s allowing the Taliban free access to peaceful Pakistan. Apparently years of allowing various militant group sanctuary and even support to attack your neighbors isn’t part of the equation. Allowing Quetta to act as Taliban HQ is just a rumor?
If you want to secure your borders how about using some of your strong army. Since your only using about 4% of that army in your current fight you obviously have plenty of guys sitting back.
Obama body language shows when he was speaking last evening, as if this is a scripted speech to please the right, to prove that he is on their side and they can push his domestic policies without creating hurdles, the date of exit is surprising this is purposely given because mid elections are there, and he can spin the politics in his favor, besides he in his heart believes that their is no way out or victory in this war. Other than this as I love to continue if his strategy fails in Afghanistan which is bound to fail he will ask one question from his Generals, why? And Advisers why you pressed me rather forced me into this decision? Or he doesn’t care let the WAR speaks to Americans itself when body bags will be increased and mothers start crying stop this madness. The war and state onslaught killing innocent Americans in uniform and Afghanis is the fact that history at least will not forgive. Taliban were American friends not far in time they can again become friends if rightly and humanely approached.
Obama has made the Pak army do a lot of the ‘dirty’ work and clean up the hot spots before the US troops surge in. Pakistan is fully aware that its game of playing both sides is up. Obama has also in my opinion made the correct decision in consulting India in any strategic decisions to be made for Afghanistan. It looks like the US and India will reap the rewards of a successful Afghan campaign while Pakistan will be left with a broken country and a heavily damaged and used Army.
Well I think America will of course not succeed because again he is thinking that Afghanistan is a military problem. In reality it is political and neighbors of Afghanistan have to be taken into confidence.
By neighbors I mean Russia, Pakistan, Iran and USA itself.
Either go with a lot of force or pull out all together.
US is dealing with very corrupt forces all round, each with its own secret agenda.
We Pakistanis reject Obama’s drawn Af-Pak policy!
God help Pakistan. That is all I can say.
The 30,000 troop increase in Afghanistan will fail, because it does not solve the problems comprehensively. The USA is not putting pressure on India and Israel to free Kashmir and Palestine. Unless USA makes genuine efforts to free Kashmir and Palestine Muslims will always look USA’s intension suspicious. Obama should have resolved the Kashmir and Palestinian problems first before sending more troops to Afghanistan, which he is going to regret later.
When have any American policies ever worked anywhere in the world? Let Obama make another mess of his economy again.
Wonderful decision from Obama to send more troopers to Afghanistan!
Our concern is Pakistani Taliban, the so called financing by our neighbors through Afghan route and some time directly through our eastern borders. Whatsoever, no compromise on a single centimeter of Balochistan and Waziristan. These Pakistani Taliban will be soon finished away by Brave Army of Pakistan.
Dear All,
Think for a while as Muslim, for 8 year NATO & non-NATO countries are fighting against Taliban, think why? Who is helping them? Even Super powers are not defeating them. What was their mistake? Why America Attack on them? Why we Pakistani public and Army, police and other forces killing them? Taliban were enemy of Non Muslim, Why Pakistan participated in this, if we say due to fear from America, Then it is simple we are not Muslim because we don’t believe in Allah.
We have heard “As you sow so shall you reap”
Due to Pakistan favor and logistic support Taliban Government was destabilized.
So you can’t hope any good from them.
Wasalaam
If Mr. Obama is sure that US cannot win against Taliban in Afghanistan without Pakistan support, Pakistan is US allies against Taliban and Al-Qaida, the most wonderful thing here is that why US always ignoring Pakistan to discuss any strategy or plan to be used in Afghanistan with the help of Pakistan against Taliban? Can any one throw some light why?
Two reasons could be responsible why US not inviting Pakistan to come and jointly make a decision to employ against Taliban in Afghanistan.
1. US doesn’t believe on Pakistani agencies and doesn’t endorse Pakistan’s efforts on war on terror.
2. The Pakistani government is very weak and only on ropes and any time can topple. Zardari is accepting any decision taken by US without discussion with Pakistan.
Any comment?