I wrote a
blog as back as in August 2012 exploring the probability of United States
pulling its troops from Afghanistan. Despite being a novice at that time, my
conclusion was that troops may never be pulled out. The history confirms my
prediction was right.
My biggest
argument was that the objective of sending troops to Afghanistan was not to
liberate the Afghan from the control of USSR or Taliban, but to occupy it for
economical and political gains. It must also be kept in mind that there was no
justification for attacking Afghanistan as no Afghan was involved in 9/11, directly
or indirectly.
One could
find only two reasons for the continued occupation of Afghanistan by the US
troops: 1) presence of valuable metals and other bounties and 2) use of the
country as a military base against adjoining countries, i.e. Pakistan, Iran,
China and India. The persistent state of war in Afghanistan will neither allow
rest of the world to sell its goods to Central Asian countries nor buy crude
oil and gas from the countries that were previously part of USSR.
Being the sole
surviving super power, United States seems adamant at maintaining its military dominance by
brining countries all around the world under its hegemony. Afghanistan has
an important place in the US foreign policy due to common borders with
Pakistan, Iran, China and many oil and gas rich Central Asian countries.
Since Islamic
Revolution in Iran, United States has been projecting the country as the
biggest threat to the world. Over the years, despite remaining under economic
sanctions, Iran has emerged as one of the major challenger for the US hegemony
in the region. It seems certain that United States is waiting for the right opportunity
to attack Iran to destroy its nuclear assets. United States needs a military
base near Iran and Afghanistan is the ideal option. The two countries share
long mountainous border, which is virtually impossible to monitor and defend.
Lately, China
has also emerged as the second superpower and started challenging US hegemony.
While United States has been controlling countries through its military might,
China is using the other alternative, its economic supremacy. To contain China,
United States has already created its outposts in Taiwan and South
Korea, but Afghanistan offers the best option, a land route.
Afghanistan
has remained a hostage of super powers since Cold War era. It is no secret that
if USSR had used Afghanistan, US have been occupying patronized the country for
the last two decades. Having failed in bringing regime change in Iran in
last four decades, the super power is consolidating its position in
Afghanistan.
The USSR
believed that getting control over Afghanistan could give it a perfect foot
hold in South Asia and the Middle East. There are no warm water ports in
Afghanistan, but getting control over the Khyber Pass (located in Pakistan) an
ancient trade route would bring it closer to Iran and Turkey on the West and
Pakistan on the South, all with warm water ports.
The recent
history proves that the United States has got too desperate in establishing its
hegemony in South Asia and MENA. Afghanistan appears to be the most ideal
outpost. Therefore, hoping that the United States will pull its troops from
Afghanistan is hoping against the hopes.
