Afghan endgame: US trying to reduce its reliance on Pakistan, says scholar

Says US will be wasting its time without Pakistan’s involvement in Afghan war.


Our Correspondent August 30, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


The US policymakers are adopting a new feeling of realism towards Pakistan after 2011, which turned out to be a terrible year for Pak-US relations, particularly after the Salala attack.


These views were expressed by an American scholar Dr Joshua T White during a lecture on Pak-US
relations in terms of the Afghan war on Wednesday. He delivered the lecture at Islamabad Research Policy Institute.

Dr White, who holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said that the US is trying to involve India in Afghanistan as it wants to reduce its dependency on Pakistan. “Personally I feel Pakistan’s involvement is crucial, as otherwise it would be a waste of time for the US,” he said.

He added that the US is focusing on holding its gains in South Afghanistan and securing districts around Kabul. “The US is also resuming its relations with the Uzbeks and is highly concerned about Iran’s nuclear programme,” he explained.

While talking on the political status quo in Afghanistan, Dr White said that the local warlords are establishing themselves while the central government is losing its ground.

He seemed to be sceptical towards the option of an operation in North Waziristan, but added that the infiltration of militants from Pakistan into Afghanistan is a “reality”. Moreover, he emphasised that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has not emerged as a result of the US operation in Afghanistan.

The doctor said that withdrawing all US troops by 2014 was not realistic. It is not a “magic date”, he said, and while the US might reduce its troop presence, a complete withdrawal is not part of the plan. Bagram and Kandahar air bases would remain occupied by Nato forces, he added.

He added that there is a great divide within the US major political parties — Democrats and Republicans — over the Afghan war. “While the US military is optimistic, analysts are sceptical over the achievements in the Afghan war,” he commented.

His research focuses on political stability, Islamic politics and security in South Asia.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2012.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ