Much delayed declaration of the most awaited decision hooked American people on the cross for a long period. Everybody was expecting inside and outside America that Obama Administration would come up with a realistic policy to minimize its operations inside Afghanistan and would give a short deadline for a pullout. Unfortunately, nothing happened as expected by the majority of the Americans.
The current policy has following salient features
- Increase in troop's strength by 30000
- Subsequent exit to be started by 2011 to be completed on an undeclared date.
- Operations to be carried out deep inside Pakistan against Al Qaeda and Taliban
- Strengthening Afghan security forces and Government to control their country
- Strengthening the relationship militarily and economically with Pakistan by considering the coordination to be most important to achieve the goals of the war.
The president stated that his new policy was designed to ‘bring this war to a successful conclusion.'
Just a day before announcing the policy, the reports surfaced through Washington Post that President Zardari of Pakistan received a letter with bitter contents exhorting Pakistan to "Do More" to eliminate the suspected terrorists on its soil. It was also warned that America can initiate military action deep inside the Pakistani territory if they find lack of seriousness from Pakistani Government.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/29/AR2009112902934.html
The signal is quite clear that Pakistan is not given a clean chit even after seeing enormous bloodshed and sacrifices of its soldiers, law enforcing personnel, key politicians and common people since last 8 years due to War in Afghanistan. The timing of Indian Premier's visit was also quite devastating for Pakistan because Indian PM urged US not to leave Afghanistan before fixing things in Pakistan especially about the Army and ISI's role and the alleged vulnerability of the Nuclear Arsenal feared to be captured by the Muslim extremists.
Pakistani nation too had high hopes from the new President but his period is proving a worse display of novice and intimidated approach towards fixing things inside and outside America. People of the world are seeing clearly that President Barrack Hussain Obama (BHO) is not able to control things easily.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100015908/european-liberals-are-in-shock-over-barack-obamas-failures/
It is very disappointing to see that BHO is not finding any support from inside the country and from his allies on the war on terror. It is difficult for him to carry on the ex-President Bush's legacy, that too against the public contention. But he seems to be lacking the guts to go against the failed policy adopted by G.W.Bush which was used for nearly a decade but never got success as aimed.
In present times, BHO should focus much on true partnership with Pakistan based on mutual trust. Any solution parallel to the contention and the interest of Pakistan would lead Afghanistan to another decade of catastrophe and unrest. Influence of India in Afghanistan is an unnatural and unacceptable choice for the Afghanis who have great love and respect for Pakistan which stood behind them during Russian invasion and is still trustworthy when we see the regaining of Taliban's influence inside Afghanistan.
BHO must have taken the decision of sending troops on the basis of inputs from Policy makers and key Army Generals who have assured the President that they can control the insurgency with this additional force. But America should also understand that their opponents are not a regular army but the nation of Afghanistan that is ready to face any eventuality with courage with the ability to change the direction of storm barehanded.
First few months would be definitely crucial for the Americans and if they manage to regain their lost ground in a short period assigned, then it would be a great success. Otherwise, it is quite possible that all 30000 or may be more lives of the US soldiers would be consumed in this war and Americans would stay with no choice but to retreat shamefully out of Afghanistan. Underestimating Taliban of Afghanistan at this point of time is also a silly mistake because one cannot think that Taliban are not strategizing their actions in the light of present developments.
The Government of Pakistan should also display their courage and responsible attitude because there is no good news for Pakistan in this new Afghanistan Policy. Pakistani nation should be ready because it is quite possible that we may see Drones flying over Lahore and Karachi without minor obstruction form our Air force. It is also possible that Black Water, DynCorp or any other American affiliated agency would be jumping inside our houses in their quest to grab suspected militants and Al Qaeda sympathizers and we would not be able to even go to the court with a hope to find true justice all because, none of the previously grabbed innocent people could return their homes as yet. The foreseen actions in the cities of Pakistan can be seen with great seriousness. BHO wants to justify to his nation that he is taking electric steps to fix things which have long gone out of control. But treating Pakistan as a scapegoat would only add to the crisis.
People of Pakistan should raise their voice and display their anger because it is the people who can influence any change in Government's policy. Otherwise we should be ready to face the coming threat which would be devastating for our generations to come. America is throwing big money to buy our Politicians, Writers and Media people. None of them will object about their planned actions on our soil and in cities in particular. The next 18 months could be more than hell for the Pakistanis and many of us do not have the slightest idea of what is going to happen soon to our country.