Boastful after Bin Laden

10 June 2011 | 16:29 Code : 13598 Asia & Africa

The US is still following the wrong path in Afghanistan. Mohammad-Ebrahim Taherian

United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ twelfth –and most recent- visit to Afghanistan entailed two messages, one meant for global public opinion (American citizens in particular), and one for Afghan politicians and power circles. For public opinion, Gates wanted to convince people that foreign troops will stick to the pre-planned schedule for withdrawal from Afghanistan -though the US’ military bases are to remain active to preserve Washington’s interests. The message for Afghan politicians was not that rosy, however: whether they act within the constitutional limits or try to subvert the existing regime, marginalization is their fate if they speak against United States policies. More arrogance has been injected to this stance following the US’ victorious assassination of Osama Bin Laden and later Ilyas Kashmiri, a key al Qaeda-linked figure. Washington is now sure that it holds the upper hand in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and can pressure the radical movements in the region.

The mujahedeen who frown upon unconditional talks and cajoling the Taliban into power should anticipate further marginalization. The suspicious death of General Daud, police chief for Northern Afghanistan and a sworn enemy of Taliban -who was assassinated in a Taliban bomb attack in Taloqan a week ago- should serve them a good lesson. As Abdullah Abdullah and Yunus Qanuni have stated, the death of Gen. Daud –a close aide of the late Ahmad Shah Masoud- is mysterious and should be investigated. The US is actually following a paradoxical policy in Afghanistan by planning to withdraw from Afghanistan and transferring security responsibilities to local forces whilst trying to integrate Taliban into Afghanistan’s political system. This policy will complicate the issues in Afghanistan and jeopardize the security of both Afghans and regional states. American think tanks pursuing these plans are aware of this fact, but most likely they are not worried about the collateral damage of their policies.

* Mohammad-Ebrahim Taherian is Iran’s former ambassador to Afghanistan.