Afghanistan: a victory for peace might be in sight
In recent weeks, the US policy on Afghanistan has undergone a notable evolution. Angling for a political settlement, the administration in Washington has signaled readiness for direct talks with the Afghan Taliban, including the issue of the presence of US troops, thus meeting a key Taliban condition for a negotiated end to 17 years of war.
The past year of President Donald Trump’s strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia has shown that the war is unwinnable and a successful military outcome not possible. It is to Trump’s credit that he is prepared to strike a deal with the Taliban for durable peace and stability in the country.
Indeed, a political settlement would bring lasting credit to Trump, politically and personally. It would be welcomed by the Afghans and the region. After a long time, there is a convergence of interests among the US, Pakistan and the Taliban on core issues regarding Afghanistan, superimposed, more importantly, by the will and aspirations of the Afghan people for peace.
Pakistan shares US concerns that Afghanistan must never again become a safe haven for international terrorists. The presence of Daesh is as much a concern for the US as it is for Pakistan and the National Unity Government. The Afghan Taliban is also strongly opposed to Daesh, and thus a four-way convergence of interests makes it possible for joint efforts to neutralize terrorism in this part of the world.
An important aspect of the changing US policy options for Afghanistan is the, correct, decision to view this issue separately and not link it to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Salman Bashir
Pakistan has been making extraordinary efforts to repair relations with Afghanistan. The Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has undertaken several visits to Kabul. The Afghan-Pakistan Action Plan is derived from broad agreement on the way forward. Specific steps have been taken to set up ground coordination centers and post liaison officers on both sides of the border to coordinate efforts against terrorists and unauthorized crossings.
The recent visit by US Deputy Secretary of State Alice Wells, and telephone calls by Secretary of State Pompeo to General Bajwa, and from Vice President Mike Pence to Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk, were indicative of the need for close cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and the United States. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is also keen to find a political solution. The ongoing contacts between the Taliban and the National Unity Government and the US need to be transformed into a credible formal process for political settlement.
An important aspect of the changing US policy options for Afghanistan is the, correct, decision to view this issue separately and not link it to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. This would make it possible for other neighbors of Afghanistan, such as China, to be more actively involved in providing support for building the economic foundations for sustained peace.
It is now up to the Afghan Taliban to respond positively to the political signals from Washington, Kabul and Islamabad, and opt to accept the much-required direct talks. The Taliban needs to transform itself into a political entity. Their battlefield gains must be converted to political capital. But what is more important is to keep in mind the imperative need for making Afghanistan a united, sovereign, independent and peaceful state, respecting the rights and aspirations of all its citizens and contributing to regional peace and development.
If the above were to come to pass, Trump would have etched his name as a statesman and a trouble shooter. He has already scored a plus on North Korea; there is every reason to think that the same could happen in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the US need to work closely in pursuit of the success of peace in Afghanistan. Other regional states also stand to benefit. An enlightened vision for the future might well begin at a high-profile event sealing a settlement with the stamp of the US president.
– Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat who has served as the country’s foreign secretary and ambassador to China, India and Denmark. Twitter: @SalmanB_Isb
