Illusions of Peace

Earlier presumptions of a few months in respite as the US deals with its deep social, racial and democratic scars, now seems to encompass the contours of other important foreign policy issues. There is a fresh impetus to bring US troops back home, especially from Afghanistan, a long awaited goal two decades in the making yet unachieved by the many administrations that occupied the White House.

Biden’s decision to retain Zalmay Khalilzad as US Special Representative for Afghanistan, and the appointment of Antony John Blinken as Secretary of State is significant. Blinken’s statement on January 19, before a senate hearing for his confirmation, pledging to undertake a review of the deal with Afghan Taliban, has to be taken with a pinch of salt and sugar. Retracing history will tell us that the Doha Accords had not only conceptual flaws but serious operational disabilities too vis-à-vis the incumbent Afghan government. The predominant purpose of Doha agreement was to help pave the way for extraction of US and NATO troops while also starting an intra-Afghan dialogue for future government.

All the Taliban had to do was sever ties with Al-Qaeda and not allow their soil to be used against the western world. However, in a glaring conceptual flaw, no timeline or clarity was offered for the events. The plan was left to unfold as per the dictates of circumstances, which is very pre-scrumptious. International community was not made part of the pact. This relegating any third party parley/intervention. Surprisingly even Mr. Ghanis incumbent government is also not signatory to this pact.

Foreseeable operational disabilities germane to Afghan government include major differences in approach and methodology. Taliban and US oppose an interim government, however Afghan government strictly denies the concept. Afghan government stands firm on election for electing the government however Talibans seek a real Islamic System. Thirdly and most importantly the regular bomb blasts on mostly Afghan government officials and Common people has pre-dominantly reduces the chances of any real peace in the country irrespective of the approach being adopted by US or NATO forces. The war in Afghanistan is far from over. The façade of Doha accord is merely a face saving/extraction gimmick of US and has no grounds for any enduring peace in the country.

By Nouman Rashid

The writer is an international relations analyst.