Coming as it does eight years after the invasion on Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama's secret tour reflects the state of warfare there. Even after the lapse of eight years if the US President cannot openly visit Afghanistan, then what is the outcome of the war? It is obviously the security factor behind the secret tour. It is due to the apprehension of a possible Taliban attack that Afghan President Hamid Karzai was intimated about Obama's visit just an hour in advance.
After meeting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces General and the US envoy in Kabul, Obama called on Karzai. By the time news about Obama's visit emanated, he was already on his return journey.
Objective of Tour
As per news reports, the objective of Obama's whirlwind tour was to hold a direct meeting with Karzai and the NATO General. The news reports say that the main issues that came up for consideration at the meeting with Karzai was the rampant corruption in Afghanistan, ineffective judicial system and inefficient administration in that country. While the strategic significance of the meeting will be a subject of debate for many days ahead, yet certain points have emerged in a clear manner. The first and foremost point is that Obama attaches not much importance to Karzai. Although Karzai has become Afghan President with US patronage, yet the fact remains that it was the US compulsion. He has failed to rein in corruption and enhance his credibility.
The United States, currently trying to explore solution of the Afghan problem through elimination of corruption and strengthening of the judicial system, patronized corruption, the chief instance of which is the elections.
Talks With Taliban
The US dilemma over Afghanistan has become a mystery now. On one hand, the strength of the US forces is being increased and on the other, it is rearing to retreat from that country. News reports from various sources have also been emanating to the effect that the United States is willing to hold talks with the Taliban at some or the other level. During his just concluded visit, Obama spoke in terms of reconciliation with various sides.
Recently, the NATO forces General apologized for the killings of innocent people. During the NATO offensive, 21 innocent people were killed. The apology that was tendered to justify his credibility manifests that he is not receiving the requisite support for his offensive.
Winning of People's Confidence
The principles that were underlined at the time of the offensive were not strictly adhered to during the actual operation. The United States declared that one of its major motives was to eliminate smuggling.
In recent days, the United States had linked the permission of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan with the winning of the confidence of the people in that country. The chief concern at the time of the grant of this permission was to what impression would be created on the US public when they will observe photographs of the US troops, moving around in the vicinity of poppy fields?
Afghanistan's Future
In the circumstances, the people of this region were duly concerned about Afghanistan's future. If the United States quits that country, then what turn will the situation take? At this juncture, it seems that the claims of democracy, security and human values have been put into cold storage in order to justify the war in Afghanistan.
Now, the United States is in a hurry to shy off the deteriorating conditions. Have the human apprehensions not increased in the wake of the US-led NATO forces war against Afghanistan? How can the United States escape from the responsibility of these apprehensions?
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