Similarities and Differences Between Withdrawal of Russian and US Forces

Russians started withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1367 Hijri (1988). Later, the Afghan Government fought the opponents alone until 1371 (1992) and defeated them in the month of February, the same year. Now, the history is about to repeat itself. Some indications are emerging that after the withdrawal of the United States, whether or not the Afghan Government will prolong? To answer these questions it is necessary to analyze the past and present.
With the Russian arrival in Afghanistan, comparatively general uprising was started from north to south and east to west of the country. The uprising was initially at public level. However, later, Jihadist organization came to fore. Currently, only the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and a portion of Hizb-e-Eslami are fighting against the government. During the Russian period, mujahidin were supported by the neighboring countries, the Arab world, Western Europe, the United State, China, and almost half of the world. However, no country openly sympathizes with the Taliban. The Pakistani Governments and Iran have been blamed. However, they never accepted these allegations.
Mujahidin’s Control
Following the war, former mujahidin were equipped with the spirit of Islam and Jihad. Government forces also had the spirit of patriotism. A proof to it is that in 1367 (1988), mujahidin carried out a fierce attack on Jalalabad. At that time, Nangarhar local government units surrendered. Only the national security and police units protected Jalalabad. The military guards coming to Kunar from Jalalabad were also cooperating with them. Mujahidin had taken control of the airport and had reached the city gate. In this war, Pakistani forces also supported mujahidin logistically. It is said that their artillery was also used in the war.
The time was close when the entire Jalalabad would have fallen into the hands of mujahidin. Dr Najibullah ordered 9th battalion, controlling the road security of Jalalabad, to reach Jalalabad. The first group of this battalion, which reached there was Group-155. Its commander was Arozgai Asadullah. The brave army commander of Nangarhar asked him to defend the airport. Assadullah said: I will object it. Commander asked how many men do you have? He had about 250 troops. He maintained his troops on Pica and other weapons. Then he started communicating with him. During the telephonic conversation, another language was heard. He asked his troops, if they understand that language. They said yes, they are speaking Urdu. He asked whose language is it? Troops replied: of Pakistanis. Asadullah said: Pakistanis have attacked our homeland. Homeland is like a mother. Those of you who respect the dignity of mother should stand up with me; if you do not, you are free to go. All the troops said: we will fight.
Commander Asadullah said: we will be fighting in standing position. There will be no lying or kneeing position. Injured and dead will not be carried out. Similarly, we will fight the enemy face to face. Then, he led and the troops followed him. They advanced for 2.5-km. They repulsed the enemy. All of them were killed. However, many of the enemy personnel were massacred.
Defeat of Mujahidin
The offensive of these 250 troops later caused the defeat of mujahidin. They were only fighting in the name of homeland and not for the national ideology. At that time, the government forces were equipped with the spirit of patriotism. They were taking mujahidin as enemies of the homeland. They were observing that mujahidin were setting ablaze schools, destroying bridges, uprooting electricity towers, killing teachers, same as the Taliban are doing now. However, right after the fall of Dr Najib's government, mujahidin started looting and plundering across the country, and proved their enmity with the homeland.
In March, Interior Minister General Bismillah said: "There is lack of patriotic spirit in army and police". Earlier, military commanders used to be patriotic. They were not looters. They were real men and were equally treating their troops, without any differences. However, now situation is not the same. Probably, due to the same reason, soldiers are less patriotic now than before. When Russians were withdrawing from the country, there were thousands of tanks, hundreds of transport and combat air-crafts, hundreds of helicopters, equipped artillery, Luna, (military) equipment, Scud missiles, and complete resources and possibilities of anti-air craft were in control of the Afghan Government. However, now our army does not have weapons, not even Pica and RPG.
UN Peace Plan
With the well maintained army of that time, an active and dynamic president like Najibullah was working for the country. He himself fought a war as a leading commander. However, President Karzai does not posses similar physical capacity or a consistence vision. He keeps on changing his statements. At times, he becomes furious and at other moment a cool minded person. Equipped army, high morale of troops, strong president, and fair administration was the bases of prolonging the rule of Najibullah. However, his government was not toppled because of mujahidin but internal conspiracies. Initially, the coupe d'état by Shahnawaz Tanai broke the backbone of his government. Later, the coalition between General Momin, Dostam, Syed Kian and Ahmed Shah Masud limited the writ of the government to Northern part of the country. General Nabi Azimi and Karmal's cooperation blunt the UN peace plan, and forced Dr Najibullah to resign.
Can the Hamid Karzai government sustain after the US withdrawal? According to the aforementioned points, now the opponents of the government are limited to two confronting political groups. They do not have support from any international element. They do not enjoy greater support because of the incidents of setting the schools on fire, destroying bridges, roads, and hospitals, and suicide attacks. The Taliban do not have capacity for face to face fight. They can only conduct sniper and suicide attacks. They can only be caught through intelligence and detective information. The government forces are incapable against them and do not have air forces and air defense. They do not have cannons, tanks, and other heavy weapons. Above all, the soldiers are not as loyal as they should be. Another good point is that there is no excuse for the government to fight against the Taliban after the US withdrawal. Most of the Taliban will surrender due to the peace talks.
Following the Russian withdrawal, Jihadist organizations told their fighters that the government has loyalties to Russians; therefore, we need to do Jihad against them. They leveled decree of infidelity against Dr Najib. Mjahidin did not clear their hearts for Dr Najib no mater how many testimonies he was making. However, now no one suspects Karzai. It is being said that he offers Tahajud Prayer (mid night prayer). Therefore, he sleeps until 0900 and does not attend his office.
After the Russian withdrawal, the Afghan Government was left alone. Only the Soviet Government was supporting it. Now, when the United States will withdraw, the entire world will support Afghanistan. As we have trained ex-army soldiers, they can be reappointed in army and their expertise can be utilized. Our former Army officers are accustomed with the Russians weapons. If heavy weapons are taken from Russia, three years is not a long time to establish air force and build air defense. Until our air force is not self sufficient, the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) can take the responsibility of country's air force and army. The government can maintain its troops for patriotism.
Financial Support
It is only possible if the Taliban are propagated against their crimes. The Taliban should be shown videos of them killing the people, setting ablaze the schools, and destroying the public welfare infrastructure. They should be forced to realize that they should not forget the sacrifices of the people. On the other hand, those soldiers who have been martyred for the sake of homeland, their families should be provided financial support. By doing so, soldiers will be free of the worries of their families' sustenance. As the Taliban cannot fight face to face, and stress upon suicide and sniper attacks; therefore, the government should make its intelligence stronger. If all this is done, then there is a greater possibility that the government can stay for a longer period. However, weak leadership of Karzai is a matter of concern. If he cannot do it, he should find an active, dynamic, and strong person for war strategy and administration.

UN Resolution on Terrorists, Organizations

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted two resolutions under which terrorists and organizations associated with Al-Qaida and the Taliban would be split into two separate lists. There was one committee in the UNSC for sanctions against Taliban and Al-Qaida. However, it has now been decided unanimously to deal with Taliban and Al-Qaida separately.
After the adoption of two resolutions, international powers led by the United States have said they view that Taliban and Al-Qaida have different targets. In the words of western diplomats, Taliban are waging resistance only in Afghanistan while Al-Qaida has an international agenda. The head of UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee and the German ambassador has said that the adoption of the resolutions is a clear and strong message that we are supporting the Afghan government to end violence and advance the process of reconciliation for peace in Afghanistan.
Possibility of US-Taliban Talks
Soon after the adoption of the resolutions by the UNSC, Afghan President Hamid Karzai addressing a press conference in Kabul disclosed that several international powers including, the United States, are engaged in talks with the Taliban. Earlier, different diplomatic circles reported several times that negotiations were underway between the Afghan government and Taliban. However, it is for the first time that Afghan President has officially confirmed talks with Taliban adding that the United States itself is engaged in talks. After disclosure by the Afghan President, the US Embassy has refused to confirm or deny talks with Taliban. However, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid has strongly denied talks with the United States and European countries. Mujahid telephoned to the French news agency, AFP, from an unknown place and denied the disclosure made by Afghan President. He said that the Taliban have in the past denied such reports.
We do not know as to why Karzai has made this disclosure. Whether or nor the United States or western countries are holding direct or indirect talks with Afghan Taliban, it has become clear that now the United States has compelled to beg to the Taliban for talks. A major hurdle in the way of talks between United States and Taliban were the resolutions under which it has declared Taliban and Al-Qaida terrorists. Following adoption of the resolutions by the UNSC, names of some wanted Taliban leaders would be removed from the list as the resolution allows the Afghan government to make changes in the list. However, they will be approved by the UNSC.
Afghan War Strategy
The split of Al-Qaida and Taliban in the list of terrorists by the UNSC indicates difference over strategy between the United States and Europe regarding Afghanistan war. After passage of the resolution (resolutions) British Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt has said that with a view to grasp the situation, US contacts with Taliban are in line with the thinking of the international community and Afghan people as well as the government. Commenting on reports of contacts between the United States and Taliban, he said that he had always supported reconciliation with resistance elements in Afghanistan and their joining to the national mainstream on the conditions of Afghanistan government. The conditions of the Afghan government include, abandoning of violence, severing contacts with terrorist organizations and acceptance of the constitution. The fresh contacts, which have been confirmed by Afghan President Karzai is a step towards the destination to which, the situation will at last lead.
It is known to all that establishment of peace does not depend on only military success and training of Afghan army and police rather it will be on a political settlement. The statement of an important official of British Foreign Office about the United States' negotiations with Taliban shows the fact that differences have developed between the United States and Europe over Afghan war strategy.
Differences between the US political and military leadership with regards to (Afghanistan) wa r have become clear. On the one hand, US President Barack Obama has announced to begin US military withdrawal from July 2011. The US military leadership holds the viewpoint that Taliban cannot be brought to the negotiations table without crushing their resistance. The time is passing and the Afghan war is ten years old. If the US military with the help of 40 countries has not succeeded to crush Taliban's resistance during the past 10 years, as to how it will do so during the next few months.
Status of Taliban
The United States through the UNSC resolution has allured Taliban to weaken their resistance and divide the Mujahidin. The western diplomatic circles raise the questions (question) as to what is the status of those Taliban in the ranks of Taliban to whom the United States is holding talks. The United States and international western powers through the latest UNSC resolution have at least admitted that war going on in the name of elimination of terrorism is based on falsehood and deception. A question has also arisen about the legal and moral credibility of the UN resolutions. The law changes when their expediencies change. They declare terrorists to someone and remove someone from the list of terrorists on their own sweet will.
The peace cannot come to the world when the international law will be made on the basis of reposts of secret agency, the CIA without giving any evidence. Ten years ago, the United States had resorted to brutal military adventurism (in Afghanistan) by declaring Al-Qaida responsible for 9/11 and Taliban as their supporter. During these 10 years, hundreds of thousands of Afghans were killed and lethal weapons on a large scale were tested on poor Afghans. Chemical, nuclear and biological weapons were also used in Afghanistan because of which disabled and ill children are being born there.
Legislation Against Terrorism
The legislation against terrorism had started even before 9/11. The United States has forcibly imposed its laws on the entire world through the United Nations. These laws are the worst case of trampling of human rights. The United States continued to present Afghanistan and Taliban as a threat to the world for 10 years although the Afghans were fighting US attack as they fought the Soviet Union. At that time, Mujahidin had come to Afghanistan from the entire world.
The United States under its anti-humane agenda declared international impact of Afghan Mujahidin's success over Soviet Union as terrorism. The United States had got conducted inhuman and unjust legislation from the United Nations before the 9/11 in the name of terrorism. Terrorism is a crime whose definition could not be made until today. The war was the continuation of the new world order whose, one aspect is globalization. However, today the US and western pride has been trampled in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Occupying Forces Face Tough Time in Afghanistan

The end of April 2011 completes nine years and seven months of occupation by the crusader forces. Since the start of occupation, the occupying forces have sustained a lot of material and death losses but they always try to hide the actual number of casualties.
Growing Casualties
Nobody can answer precisely the question that what is the real number of casualties suffered by the occupying forces. The Taliban have always shown a higher number than the one acknowledged by the United States. The incidents witnessed by common people also confirm claims of the Taliban. For example, on 23 April, a US helicopter was shot down in Kapisa Province; the crusader forces called it an emergency landing and claimed that all of the passengers were safe and sound.
However, the helicopter was shot down and the US forces instantly besieged that area and did not allow anyone to have information about the number of actual casualties. In the beginning, the US forces denied of any casualty; however, a day later, they confirmed death of a pilot. It is worth mentioning that there were at least four passengers in the US helicopter.
Recent Operations
According to the statistics acknowledged by the crusader forces, up to the end of April, they have sustained 2,441 casualties which include 1,566 Americans, 364 British, and remaining 511 belong to the other occupying countries. During the first April of Afghanistan's occupation, ten occupying troops lost their lives; following that, the number of death casualties declined to two in 2003 and three in 2004. However, the number of death casualties grew to 19 the next year. In April 2006, five occupying troops were killed whereas in April 2007, 20 lost their lives. Nevertheless, April 2008 and April 2009 both threw 20 each into the trenches of hell. In the year 2010, which was the most deadly year for the occupiers, there were 34 death casualties; however, the percentage has grown to 75 percent during the current year reaching 52 death casualties out of which 45 were Americans and the remaining belonged to other occupying countries.
In the same way, the past years have shown that after winter, the month of April is the beginning of casualties for the United States and other crusader occupiers; moreover the percentage of enemy casualties has also increased during the months following April.
The 75 percent rise in casualties that happen during the month of April, as compared to the previous months of April, clearly shows that, God willing, 2011 will be the bloodiest year for the occupiers. Now, on 30 April, the Taliban warriors have announced their recent spring operations under the name of Badr which include plans against the occupying forces and the internal puppet forces as well.
The recent operations, which were carried out against Ministry of Defense and Air Force as well as escape of 541 mujahidin through tunnel, have terrified the United States' puppet government of Kabul and occupying forces so much that they have been unable, in spite of their false propaganda, to lift the low morale of their military personnel or convince them of their drama to achieve success in Afghanistan in 2011.

Manmohan Singh's Saudi Arabia Visit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Saudi Arabia visit has been very successful and both objectives of strengthening bilateral relations and increasing pressure on Pakistan seem to have been fulfilled. Saudi Arabia has great influence over Islamic nations of the world.

There is a traditional reason for one, as the holy places of Mecca and Medina are situated there, and second, the economic reason, i.e., its coffers full of petro-dollars with which it helps many countries. Pakistan is among the main countries that have benefited from Saudi Arabian coffers.
Looking at the coverage given to the Prime Minister's visit in the Saudi Arabian media, it seems that Riyadh is aware of India's growing stature. Saudi Arabia knows that India would play a big role in future international politics. These things have been confirmed during the first visit of any Indian Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia in the past three decades.

Pakistan Factor
While calling Pakistan a friendly nation, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said in a straightforward manner that activities of terrorist elements in Pakistan are a matter of concern. However, Saudi Arabia's record in this matter has not been good. The demon that has raised its head in Pakistan was nurtured on petro-dollars of Saudi Arabia for decades. It was during Ziaul Haque's rule, that there was fundamentalist Islamization of Pakistan and it was done in those thousands of madrasahs that were built with Saudi Arabian money, where mujahidin were being prepared for Jihad in Afghanistan. Apart from Pakistan and United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia was the third country that had recognized the Taliban.

Before the 11 September 2001 attack in New York, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were countries that patronized the Taliban. Salafi and Wahabi fundamentalist sects hold sway in Pakistan. The Saudi Arabian rulers are responsible for it. However, Saudi Arabia has changed in the post 11 September 2001, changed world. It is fighting with Al-Qa'ida on its own soil and is playing the role of a friend of the United States in Central Asia.

International Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia does not have a lot of hopes from Pakistan, because Pakistan is continuously going backward socially and economically, while India's graph is going upward. Practicality always weighs heavy in international diplomacy and power balance. The principle of practicality says that India and Saudi Arabia should increase mutual cooperation. Pakistan is on the margins in relations between these countries and it is better if it stays there.

Thousands of Indians working in that country will enjoy maximum benefit with this increasing cordiality in relationship. Reports of dishonest agents luring Indians to lucrative jobs and sending them to Saudi Arabia are received quite often. Their passports are snatched away on their arrival, and they are forced to live a life worse than slaves. These Indian laborers are expected to receive justice in the Saudi Arabian system with this new friendship being forged between the countries.

US Rulers Seem Divided on Maintaining Peace in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has never been peaceful for the past long history. At times, the fight among tribal chiefs lingered on and sometimes imperialistic forces occupied various parts of it with the intention of grabbing the remaining territory.
In between, peace prevailed for a couple of decades. One such period was when a pro-Soviet regime remained in power that irked US citizens. They prepared a mujahidin force in neighboring Pakistan and toppled the Najibullah-led government in the wake of its losing the Russian patronage after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Later, they silently witnessed the rise of the Taliban and fall of the mujahidin. Until then it was an ordinary move of global diplomacy for US rulers.

Changing Face of Action
Then the times underwent a change. Under the patronage of the Taliban regime Al-Qa'ida terrorist organization was raised. Even after that, the US Government failed to comprehend the situation. Realization dawned over it, however, when an Al-Qa'ida-sponsored attack was launched on the World Trade Center in New York. Then, it became a prestige issue for the United States. Then President George W. Bush carried out a military offensive against Afghanistan.
The war triggered by Bush continues to be waged until now. His successor Barack Obama has come to realize that the end of the war is not yet discernible. The coffin boxes carrying dead bodies of US military men arrived in the United States. The unrest in the United States and the problems of the US administration continue. The United States has not succeeded in crushing the Al-Qa'ida and its supporter Taliban terrorists even by chasing them right up to Pakistan's interior.
In such a scenario, the US Government has now opted for talks. Tired of the prolonged war, its allies also now favor talks. The United Nations also is contributing to it. In the ongoing talks, the path of distinguishing the "good Taliban" and "bad Taliban" has been adopted as a part of fresh political tactics. Recognizing Mullah Omar, the Taliban chief, as a partner of Osama Bin Laden, he is being kept at a distance from the talks. Foreign Minister of the then Taliban regime, Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, has been recognized as a symbol of "good Taliban" and, hence, has been released from prison. The talks will focus on how far Muttawakil is different from the rest of the Taliban.

Maintaining Peace
Earnest people across the world favor maintenance of peace in Afghanistan. But, US rulers do not seem to be united on this point even at such a juncture. Its direct evidence is that in order to pave the path for talks the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) once again is being used as a contact factor, which until a week ago was described by US rulers as the main contention.
The US investigators projected the links of David Headley, the prime accused of the Mumbai attack, with an ISI Major as responsible for the attack. If they proceed further with the talks through the same ISI mediation, then only good wishes can be offered.
Meanwhile, India is being kept aloof from the whole process. India has to its credit a major contribution to the rehabilitation work for Afghanistan after the widespread bloodshed caused there. A member of Indian engineers, offices, and laborers laid down their lives during the reconstruction of the country. All this has been forgotten. All this service notwithstanding, the Indian Government has agreed to extend cooperation.

Role of India
It is astonishing that Pakistan has been involved in the talks in spite of the fact that it pays less attention to its due responsibility than using the occasion against India. Its rulers are daily issuing statements that the Indian Government intends to target Pakistan by strengthening its position in Afghanistan. Earnestness is not a one-way traffic.
The US Administration and its allies should understand the fact that the entire India would tolerate its exclusion from talks, but if Pakistani rulers persisted with their approach of abusing this process also, then it will not be possible for it to keep silent. While this cannot be expected of Pakistan realizing the stark reality, countries extending patronage to it will have to comprehend the ground situation.

Afghan Problem Lies in Jirga

Reconciliation is an established way and tradition in the collective Islamic and Afghan life. In the whole Afghan history, whenever differences appeared between different tribes, the heads of tribes and elders, who were honored by people due to their services, got together; called Jirga and endeavored to find solutions to the problems.

New Communist System

The supporters of the new communist system after the Soviet attack on Afghanistan, and similarly the leaders of Pakistani jihadist organizations dishonored this Islamic and Pashtuns-based sacred tradition of our collective life. Leader having roots in common people were either martyred or forced to migrate.
As a result of this cruelty, the foundation of Jirga was weakened in the country. People lost trust in the laws made by the government. Trust deficit and insecurity engendered among people. Government officials were unable to solve people's problems and maintain peace by enforcing laws.

Basic Human Rights

Our people have been burning in the flames of fire for the last 30 long years. The whole world can see with wide open eyes that the miseries of Afghan people have increased manifold and innocent Afghans have been sacrificed contrary to their basic human rights.
The first hard time for Afghanistan was the Soviet aggression in 1979 which was the culmination of all those communist interventions against the countries around the world. The Russians and their supporters tried to introduce a new communism-based system and structure against the Islamic and Afghan culture of Afghanistan.
They wanted to shape a new human being and a new Afghan who would work for the communists. Not only the plans and conspiracies of the communists failed in Afghanistan due to the sacrifices of Afghan Muslim mujahidin but the whole communist system and its political structure and sovereignty inside Russia was shattered into pieces by the sacred blood of the Afghan Muslim mujahidin.

Changing Afghan and Pashtun Culture

When jihad in Afghanistan got victory, Pakistan brought into the political field of Afghanistan those jihadist organizations which had been organized by Pakistan for achieving its political and strategic goals. The heads of these jihadist organizations, who were trapped and who had been sold out, were incited to be move ahead in order to be stake holders in Afghanistan and establish such government that may entertain the political and strategic interests of Pakistan. Pakistan wanted to change Afghan and Pashtun culture into Punjabi and Pakistani culture and tradition.
In fact, the goal of the Pakistani groups was to make Afghanistan a pet state and find a solution to Kashmir issue with the blood of the Afghans. Pakistan-tailored groups could neither establish peace, reconciliation and security in Afghanistan nor could they present a national leader before the Afghans. Thus differences appeared among these groups on the basis of share in the government.

Supporting Afghan Jihad

Right from the day of its inception, Pakistan has never wanted that a sovereign government having mandate of the oppressed Afghans be established in Afghanistan. Pashtuns living on eastern part of the false, illegal and the so-called Durand Line, do not accept the Pakistani system and they build their lives according to their Pashtun standards and wishes. They solve their problems by Jirga instead of bowing their heads before the Pakistani authorities.
On the one hand, Pakistan wants to beat Pashtuns with the might of the US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops, and wants to break the nation wide resistance, while on the other hand, it sends its troops to its tribal areas, kills the tribal elders, religious clerics, and in return gets money, weapons and sophisticated technology from the US. Pakistani people detest this twofold policy of the rulers which is why they express their anger for the government by supporting the Afghan jihad openly and secretly.

Pashtuns Code of Conduct

The Americans attacked Afghanistan for taking revenge for the 9/11 attacks. It empowered the gunmen and warlords against the will of Afghan people. They tried to finish terrorism, establish democracy, and work for reconstruction with the support of these warlords. Just like the Russians, they appointed those Afghans on key posts in Afghanistan who had grown up in the US, who could not talk in their own national languages, and who were unaware of the Afghan culture and code of conduct.
The Americans expected them to spread in and impose American culture on the Afghan people. They also tried that the new human being and the new Afghan should be in accordance with the American culture and standard. They failed to achieve their targets because they were unable to understand the problems of the Afghan people. They could not make a way into their hearts and minds. Reaching these goals and achieving these targets can only be possible through the Afghan Jirga. Troops surge and sophisticated weapons can only broadens the Afghan problems and it increases the uprising and national resistance. No matter how much the Afghan casualties increase and the blood of innocent Muslims is shed, the extent of enmity and rivalry increases and the sentiments of revenge strengthen to the same extent, just in accordance with the Pashtuns Code of Conduct. If the Americans call for reconciliation with complete sincerity, sit with the Afghan elders whose hands are not stained with blood of anyone and who did not dishonor anyone, and make a way towards the fighters, and get ready to solve problems through Jirga and beg pardon, only then it is possible that the war my be stopped and a way to reconciliation may be found out.