The AFSPA Debate: Who Will Bite the Bullet?

Author: TWI

Why does the Army insist on continuing in the hinterland when none of the stakeholders want them? The politicians are branding the Army as unreasonable to oppose the revocation of AFSPA. The Police want to go it alone. Why is the Army over-staying the welcome? With a few years of relative peace behind us, it is time for tough decisions. The Army has the capability to handle any surge in terrorism at a later stage. The Army owes it to its martyrs that its noble intentions are not branded as vested interests and it is not painted as a villain in the politics of the Valley.

Endgame in Afghanistan: Debating the Kashmir Connection

Author: TWI

“America is history, Karzai is history, the Taliban are the future… Pakistan would be unwise to cut all contacts and goodwill with the future leaders of Afghanistan” [1]

Lt Gen Hamid Gul

Former Chief of ISI

A

s the US and NATO’s misadventure in Afghanistan draws to a close with the promise of the withdrawal of their troops sooner than later, a debate gains ground on the possible implications of the US withdrawal, for the region in general and Kashmir in particular. That there will be a vacuum post the departure of the Americans is certain. Who will fill it in, and how will circumstances play out, remains a matter analysts worldwide are feeding-off at the moment. However, given the number of global and regional players involved, their mutual distrust, scant respect for honouring agreements and a preference for exploiting proxies makes the region a tangle where there are more questions than answers. Non State Actors with their proclivity for the capricious and whimsical rather than the predictable and anticipated and the power games that have come to characterise the expanse from Iran to Pakistan make the future uncertain. Presently, what appears achievable is a consideration of influencing factors, the nature and concerns - derived from history - of the thespians involved and the circumstances sanctioned for the next few years. This will help us arrive at a pragmatic appraisal of the future of Afghanistan and the implications, if any, for Kashmir.