Will Afghanistan again become graveyard for its inhabitants?

by  Masud Wadan, for VT

Remarks of foreign and national authorities on continuity of war beyond 2015 denote a lengthy and fatal year ahead. If Russia was able to wipe out hundreds of Islamic State rebels in the Middle East within handful days, why NATO and the west don’t move forward to uproot a relatively feeble rebel force in Afghanistan? Is that really intractable to cope with?

Ashraf Ghani in his Europe trip had said he would turn Afghanistan into the graveyard for militants. He might be emotional to surprise European partners, regardless of foreign conspiracies ahead that would dig mass graves for the stricken people of Afghanistan.

In the latest instance of highest fatalities, according to Helmand provincial deputy governor’s message to Ashraf Ghani, a staggering 90 Afghan soldiers have been killed in just two days this week as a result of fierce fighting with Taliban.

Some, not all, international donors make four or more times the money they provide for Afghanistan as aid. Afghan ministry of mine is at foreign countries’ service. Also is the ministry of “not very” anti-narcotics. These [mining and narcotics industries] are the two main funding sources for the so-called “peace-makers”. Just a trickle down of Afghanistan’s invisibly looted underground riches and billions of dollars worth drug business’s black money could well finance the conflict in the country.

World powers dictate plans to turn the Central Asia as the next battleground. With the war at its climax, the west can immensely put their weapons on sale and make huge profits. Maybe Iran’s inflating as a “major threat” to Gulf States was a plan to deter and force them purchase billions of dollars’ worth arms and ammunitions.

Afghanistan’s Rare Earth Elements (REEs) is partly the reason behind the optional stationing of NATO member states in Afghanistan. REEs, on its part, play important role in lengthening of the war until Afghanistan is drained of it to the dreg.

When aforesaid and great deal of other foreign interests lies around Afghanistan, there is no need to tire ourselves of shouting for peace.

The pretended “good moves” of Afghan politicians have a secret behind. Former president Hamid Karzai recently appeared with calls for the “settlement” of border issue with Pakistan that, in turn, carries grave repercussions for Afghanistan. Is that fair to raise a further controversial issue at such a fragile situation?

Karzai’s policy of stepping in border issue now doesn’t represent the views of majority of war-torn nation. The Afghan people prefer to sort out internal disorders first, rather than waging another controversy. Karzai has to consider that Pakistan is now a nuclear-armed country with major allies and, above all, the world’s superpower, U.S, has recognized the Durand line as international border.

In a country like Afghanistan, the opposition is not formed to question the legitimacy of state for the sake of its people. Such opposition parties, indeed, serve as reservist to immediately take over presidential palace in case of coup or anyhow dissolution of state or if it [state] move against the will of its lords.

The recent terrorist attack in U.S’s San Bernardino, California or the Paris attacks were a signal to a continued war on terror whether in the Middle East or Afghanistan. Whenever a “dirty plot” strikes the western territory, it justifies the right for them to put boot on the ground, send unlimited weapons and drop barrel bombs aimlessly.

Afghanistan’s misery takes roots from within its power base.

Among national unity government’s offerings to its people is the launching of Islamic State’s radio broadcasts in parts of eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The Islamic State’s expansion into Afghanistan first emanated from this province which is set to become the group’s hub for command post, training center, propaganda activities and the scene to “scapegoat” innocents in the name of enemies.

The Taliban was no longer an organized or structured force with centralized leadership following its ouster in 2001. Since then, it has been a scattered row operating under no certain Islamic objective. It was media and Afghan authorities’ false statements that inflated the Taliban’s strength and role.

Afghanistan and Pakistan’s seminaries and impoverished communities members refill front of rebels being killed every day on a large number.

Weeks ago, some Taliban commanders in a death pray ceremony of its prominent member in Peshawar criticized Pakistan’s ISI for its harsh measures on them. They claimed ISI agents were in a house-to-house search for Taliban commanders to force them to choose either to join Islamic State in Afghanistan or face detention along with family members.

This is the case in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. The refugees are reportedly forced to take up arm to fight in Afghanistan or suffer a variety of hardships including expulsion.

NATO and U.S forces commander in Afghanistan General John Campbell says that the number of Islamic State supporters in Afghanistan is on increase. He states “rebels from Iraq and Syria have joined Islamic State in Afghanistan”. The U.S defense secretary Ashton Carter in his recent official trip to Kabul also delivered the same caution for the year 2016.

If they are “really” incapable to annihilate a freshly growing terror group, they shouldn’t reveal it in such a frightening manner that prompts scores to take luggage out of Afghanistan.

Many Afghan people say the U.S is proclaiming war on terror here, but didn’t give a single of warplanes it has donated to Pakistan plentifully. It even delivered several fighter planes and other heavy military equipments used in Afghanistan, to Pakistan after officially ending combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

The recent terrorist developments are meant to gradually shift the rebel outfits away from Pakistan’s Waziristan into eastern and northern Afghanistan. Pakistan would step-by-step discharge itself of the burden of terrorism and Afghanistan would instead go under the weight of this responsibility.

Musharaf’s foes and friends

Pakistan’s general Pervez Musharaf, known as an anti-Afghan figure in Afghan communities, in an interview with BBC Persian praised M. Ashraf Ghani for his Pakistan policy. But he pointed at Panjshiris (a Tajik ethnic group) as backers of New Delhi and enemies of Pakistan.

Pervez Musharaf and the whole of ISI obsessed with Panjshiris after they fought off Taliban under their anti-Taliban movement and barred Mullah Omar to gain a countrywide influence in Afghanistan.

From then on, they call Panjshiris as supporters of India, and Pashtuns and those favoring Ashraf Ghani as friends of Islamabad. He urges Afghan govt. to restrict relations with India and drive Panjshiris to margin. That time they would bring Taliban to the negotiation table and prepare for mutual concessions.

Every wise Afghan citizen wishes to settle disputes and improve ties with Pakistan, but Musharaf’s one-sided friendship doesn’t make sense as he can’t reach a compromise by siding with a specific ethnic or political group.

Saudi Arabia’s pro-terrorism efforts under “anti-terrorism”

Almost everyone with knowledge and studies about the Middle East and Gulf States, particularly Saudi Arabia would pour scorn on this state’s efforts for building an anti-terrorism coalition. Saudi Arabia has remained a key player in the deadliest Syrian conflict. It had also provided funds to the Taliban and Jihadists in the civil conflicts of 80s and 90s that still weighs heavily on Afghanistan.

This coalition excludes important states such as Iraq, Iran and Russia, which Saudi fears would “really” pay off. The symbolic coalition only allows the selective members.

It also called on Afghan govt. to join the effort, as it knows this country has nothing to do with the matter [anti-terrorism].  The NUG has not replied to Saudi request so far. Saudi Arabia had previously asked Pakistan to take part in Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen. When Pakistan demurred, it just faced with some Saudi reactions.

ISIL loyalists in a recent message waged war on Saudi Arabia. No doubt, it was forged to prove the country a victim of the terrorist group and rule out any allegation on Saudi’s supporting of ISIL based on such threats.