Month: June 2011

by: Dr. G Rauf Roashan

Perhaps in the beginning, Afghanistan was considered an easy, short term project where American and its allied troops could go in, clean up the country of all threats of terror, defeat centers of terror and safe havens for Al-Qaida, and leave behind a stable and secure government that would be friendly to the West in general and then get out. Well, that was not to be. It was easy to go to war and now it is more difficult to end it. There has been some achievements. Al-Qaeda has been driven out of the country and centers of training for terrorists have been wiped out, but the war continued; complete success remained evasive, the enemy persistent and the Afghan government inefficient and weak. Where do we go from here?

Continue reading “Politically Charged Hot Issues”

by: Dr. G. Rauf Roashan

As expected the time has come that the United States is making its decision about withdrawing some of its troops from Afghanistan. While it would be a welcome step had there been a complete success of the war on terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan, even a commencement of the process is to be taken as good omen for all concerned. However, there are many issues that need to be looked at in this regard.

Continue reading “Post US Forces Withdrawal”

by: Dr. G. Rauf Roashan

Is Iran a friend of Afghanistan? Iranian government says it is. Afghan government leaders tend to agree just for the sake of diplomacy while deep down they might think differently. It is true that there are some Afghans who materially benefit for their support of that country, but let us here look at Iran and analyze its policies and intentions, however it should be realized that when we say Iran we mean its government and not its people. It is also important to bear in mind that obviously every regime in any country would like to consider its own benefits first and foremost. What comes next here is a realistic discussion of the situation as it prevails today. Continue reading “Look at Iran”