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.
