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.
Obama is nothing but an extension of Bush. They use Pakistani land to transport supplies into Afghanistan and yet they consult India when chalking out afghan strategy. They ask Pakistan to do more and yet them selves have achieved nothing in Afghanistan. They blame Pakistan for having a soft corner for Afghan Taliban and yet they do not act to restrict supplies coming in from afghan side to Pakistani Taliban.
The main issue here is the so called Pakistani taliban who are getting financial support as well as weapons from across the border in Afghanistan.
Yes, I agree there is a problem of terrorism.
P.s. Pakistani Nation stands united and we understand quite well the evil designs against our state. Our nuclear weapons will not be compromised and nor will we let take an inch of Balochistan.
I absolutely agree to Andrew’s view that as far as Tribal areas and Baluchistan (land of natural wealth) are united with Pakistan, US cannot succeed in his mission whether in Afghanistan or Pakistan. More troops to Afghanistan mean more Banks and financial institutions crash in US. As long as the US and all partners including NATO are not serious to curb Taliban from Afghanistan but focusing to destabilize the Afghan’s neighbors, Taliban will never finish even US stays for 100 years. Innocent people will be the prey from both side only and turning the situations to civil war in Afghanistan.
Obama’s strategy will not work.
Unfortunately for Obama this “surge” will fail. They will try the Iraq tactic of bribing and trying to get the afghan taliban to change sides and work with them instead. However they have already made a fundamental error. They have not included Pakistan in any of their discussions. Now why pray tell is this important? simple. Without us the afghan campaign is a lose for the US. They cannot win anything without us.
They have also made another blunder by publically announcing when they will be leaving. Again this is not Iraq and the Afghans will now hedge their bets.
We should be very clear now in our strategy:
a) Continue to support our national interests on both sides of the border
b) Negotiate for the eventual shape of the new afghan government after 2011 that must take our national interests into account
President Obama made a very carefully scripted and coordinated speech, giving soft messages to all intended audiences; critics at home, friends and allies, an olive branch to good taliban and stern 3D message to Al Qaeda. Except for the 30,000 surge, the rest, strengthening civil authority in Afghanistan and the pivotal role of Pakistan in the Afghan game, as long-term strategic partner were not news to many ears.
What do you think of Obama’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan?
This decision was in response to General Mc Crystals military assessment and request to bring the troop numbers to the optimum level.
I agree with the General’s appraisal and therefore, support President Obama’s decision.
Do you think a bolstered US presence will help win the war against terrorism?
Certainly, as US general envisaged, a bolstered US presence will help win the war against terrorism. I see lot of logic considering the might of the talibans.
How will this decision impact the political and security situation in Pakistan?
I don’t think Pakistan has anything to fear, but obviously, it will exert pressure on Pakistan’s military to do more honest job in war against terrorists through continuing operation Rahe Nijat.
I think Obama’s policy is correct he wants to assist in getting the job done, that is by blunting Taliban insurgency but more aid and real accountability should be done in Afghanistan.
The best Obama can do is have a real strategic partnership with Pakistan it serves America purpose 3 things come to mind.
1, To provide trade opportunities not aid to Pakistan such those given to Jordan
2, To pressurize and check presence which are destabilizing Pakistan.
3, to remove weakness in Pakistan army so as remove their dependency on asymmetric warfare by heavily bolstering it conventional arm forces
A concerned mizro
It seems the Pakistani government has sold the country down the river and the US is going to be a permanent feature in Pakistan, dictating its policy and controlling the government. I think the days of a United Pakistan are numbered and the breakup of Occupied Balochistan is only a formality. It is unfortunate that instead of seeing the true enemy of your nation (all you have to do is look in the mirror) you continually bury your heads in the sand and go on about the ‘Non state actors’ and ‘Foreign Hand’ rhetoric.
To:Heena Dosa
Now don’t lecture us on Kashmir. Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so forever. Now let me tell you who is actually fomenting terrorism in India.
In 1989 when the so called Mujahidins who were trained and funded by the ISI and the CIA forced the USSR to leave Afghanistan, Pakistan got delighted and motivated to use same ploy of using these so called mujhahidins to fetch Kashmir from India.
They thought they could use the same policy in Kashmir as well and Pakistan started an insurgency in Kashmir. Innocent were being brainwashed and killed by the terrorists.
It’s Pakistan who has become the epicenter of terrorism in the world.
As some US senator had mentioned few months ago and I quote,” Pakistan is an international migraine.”
The clock is ticking for Pakistan.
This all heated debate by you people is useless now. Are India, USA and Israel going to see what a handful of people are saying on a so called public forum when it is clear they care about their own interests and not about any Muslim country’s? They are just using Pakistan as bait while Pakistan is just enjoying a blow from not having its own cultural identity and corruption. Let us decide this matter about who is right and who is wrong by taking into perspective all the misery in most of the areas of Pakistan while the feudal and political riches are not denied any blessing of this world. For me, Pakistan would just remain a confused society that breeds on wealth and money. This is the end of the debate unless Allah decides to implement the rule of Justice in Pakistan.
It’s a wise decision on part of Obama they have money, machines and now more men Americans can finish Taliban and Al-Qaida
Americans are not their to capture Afghanistan which is a “not good for anything land”, they are their to finish off the Taliban and Al-Qaida, which is very important
PS: those who say that Afghanistan can never be won are seriously mistaking Alexander did win Afghanistan, and in a way the current government of Afghanland is supportive of USA army presence in Afghanistan.
Obama’s strategy will work only if they split Balochistan and Wazaristans’ away from Pakistan and form a new independent country. By doing that, US can control these nations much better as Pakistan military has failed to rule in these two nations- Balochistan and Wazaristan. Being a buffer between Afghanistan and Pakistan, it will prevent any militancy that prevails today. This way US can leave safely after 3 years, leaving safe and peaceful Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The ultimate focus of USA is to stay in the region, keeping pressure on Pakistan and china and to dictate his terms and create instability in the region. The American people might be fair to handle this menace of terrorism but their government is wasting the resources and is the reason of innocent killing of human being across the globe. They are not sincere to handle this issue.
More troops in Afghanistan by USA!! Here Alexander the great also tried his luck, with the idea of colonization and tested the dignity of Afghanis, but Alas, luckily his dead body was returned to his country. Here British was beaten terribly but yet it did not learn lesson from it, and this time they all would be pushed out leaving their beg and baggage and taking more coffin boxes.
Well it seems they want to move into Pakistan through Afghanistan :s…
Why can Pakistan not decide one way, united as one nation, whether they are with Taliban or against them. If you are with them have guts to fight along with them against the US or if you are against them go all out against them with the US.
Until you keep mixing your sympathy with Taliban due to religion and alliance with the US due to its military might, you will keep coming across as playing double game. You are doing a great disservice to Pakistani people and the world and bringing yourself a bad name?
Gentlemen let us ponder over the history the central Asian people had always been invading India from times immemorial. The Aryans also invaded India. Indian is fortunate now that in between is a Pakistan which is taking all the blame and burden, if the Pakistani Army opens the borders, these central Asian races will immediately find their way to whole of India. Instead of blame games, let us jointly fight the war on terrorism. It will help both India and Pakistan.
The inorganic cultures in the sub continent ultimately is going to turn into organic culture prevalent today, so the agony and pagan will have to be endured both by Pakistan and India as well. Let Americans do something and let this region become a real organic culture. Sacrifices are needed from al sides. Let us prepare our self to bear the burden of illiteracy and poverty hovering in this whole region. Even if India is trying to be economic power, the rising poverty stricken population in and around will eat the fruit.
According to my opinion surge performance will work only if they are deployed for offensive counter insurgency rather than defensive. Then Taliban will come to negotiated settlement on term of coalition forces and international communities should also be mindful of not repeating strategic blunder, to let Durand Line remain open, while taking on Taliban.
Leave the matters on Allah. Let the truth be victorious. Allah would never break his promises for the HAQQ to rule.
Vienna, 02-12-2009
Keep one thing in mind; it was all Pakistani-Saudi joint initiative that forced the U.S hands. The U.S has no choice but eradicate the human weed, without damaging the crop. That work will go on whoever leads that country under attack.
Kulamarva Balakrishna
USA is reinforcing failure. 35 year old civil war has taken toll on two empires. There is nothing left to destroy. So military is no solution nor is a military vacuum.
US policy failed as it is taking lead from India in the situation.
There are still options available to USA and they are:-
1. Include Pashtun Populace in Governance, Military and Police service of Afghanistan. It is a difficult task but US leadership should prove itself worthy of it.
2. Concentrate on the development of Rural Afghanistan.
3. Decentralize authority to the locals.
4. Curb war lords and drug pushers. Do not make them part of the governance.
5. Respect the local populace and be respected.
Dear A. K. Singh. You have brilliant idea of creating independent Pakthunistan, Baluchistan etc. How about you suggest to your government to create Sikhistan. If they do not put you in jail, then come back to preach break-up of Pakistan.
@sapan kapur
You wrote:
‘I was very surprised to see that no major newspaper or news channel in Pakistan reported or analyzed this blunt message or clear warning from the US to Pakistan.
Who are you? One of those sitting at RAW’s monitoring desk?
And then you wrote:
‘The US is losing its patience with Pakistan and that is something you people should take care of.’
Man, now we are really scared.
Let me tell you one thing: it is the Pakistanis who are going to lose their patience with the US if it did not stop interfering. The way the US and its media keeps talking about president Zardari becoming weak and not in control just shows that US still living in past and have no idea what is going on in Pakistan.
Hope they enter with care and leave with care. Not like the bulls in the china shop that they are.
US did NOT create the mess in AFPAK, it was done by PAK ARMY, which was never under the control of civilian Govt from 1958- and even today. After defeat of USSR, USA left Afghanistan and it was PAK ARMY which created Taliban to take control of Afghans- strategic depth, terror as state policy, bleed India by 1000 cuts in Kashmir etc etc. USA was unmindful of terrorism originating in AFPAK till roots of 9/11 was traced to that area.
1– MUSLIM ARMY?? as rightly asked which MUSLIM ARMY except PAK ARMY, who created the mess in AFPAK.
2– USA will the fate of UK and USSR in AFPAK. Afghans will trade “death for time”. 50- 100 Afghan dead for every US soldier’s life till USA is forced to withdraw.
3– The only viable option is to create independent Pakthunistan, Baluchistan etc and break up AFPAK into smaller, more manageable countries, along ethnic lines, with Baluchistan offering access to Afghanistan and all financial aid presently being given to PAK by USA being diverted to the newly formed countries.