Oct 6, 2009
A Muslim Solution for Afghanistan
My latest publication, an op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor is available here. An excerpt is below:
“After eight years of US involvement in Afghanistan, a strategic crossroads within Asia, the country remains a deadly conflict zone. In fact, this weekend insurgents attacked two US military bases along the Pakistani border. Helping Afghanistan stand on its own – an imperative for both regional and Western states – is a task that will take decades. But it is increasingly clear that it is not one that the West can perform….
However, a precipitous Western withdrawal from Afghanistan would leave a major void in the state….
Afghanistan is factionalized, pockmarked by ethnic and tribal divisions. Its government’s sole success is an election rigged in its own favor. Warlords run much of the country. The national Army and police are years away from being able to secure the country on their own. Other state institutions lack the minimal human and financial resources to function without external crutches. US and Western troops should leave. But because Afghanistan will remain dependent on international aid for development and security, troops cannot leave without something to fill the vacancy.
The solution? Muslim and regional states must fill the void….”
The problem in Afganistan is like any other strife torn state, ECONOMICS. It is fundamentally an economical issue in the garb of sectarian violence. Declare Afghanistan a neutral state on the lines of Switzerland. Encourage farmers to produce and buy them even if it is at a loss. Promote arts and movies. Then provide a viable economic activity like tourism. Every tribe controls a region in Afghanistan, hence make teh tribe co owners of the economic activity there. Create an impartial arbitration mechanism. Make tribes realise that non violent resolution of issues will help in economic development. Then we will see the change.
I would like to offer three principles to help guide the US out of the mess it is in while leaving Afghanistan on the road to peace and stability:
1. Muslim socio-political reform should be managed first by locals and second by neighboring non-Western societies;
2. the method should always give precedence to civil society reform with military action firmly subordinated;
3. the goal should not be incorporation into the American system but the establishment of an independent society.
I am delighted to see that you have provided some details on how those principles might be implemented. So…why the deafening silence from international Muslim circles? Why are Muslims not standing up to help Afghanistan by offering the US a graceful way to stand aside?
In the US, discussion of this is a virtual taboo. If others besides yourself are debating how Muslims might help Afghanistan, we in the US should be informed. Indeed, some of us would like to help.
A few good reads on KLB aftermaths and the power game played:
The real mystery of the KLB debate
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=204829
Kerry Lugar Bill and Pakistan’s internal power game
http://www.easenews.net/kerry-lugar-bill-and-pakistans-internal-power-game
I refuse to believe all this consists of any economics and finance. I believe all this is just huger then we people can see it. This is all to me just media propaganda. One day Afghanistan to them is like a brother and the next day the media shows something else! What are we suppose to believe??
why bring religion into discussion. there can be no stable govt. in kabul unless it is approved by the pushtoons!what ac farce, the americans and nato will train the afghan army to keep the security in the country.the foreign forces cannot even defend themselves in this warrior’s land without making cash payments to the afghans, nato army units to pushtoon tribes and usa govt. to mr karzai.the afghans do not respect any agreements as history tells us unless it is for the benefits of afghans.do not try any spins with them.
Check out more on the Kerry Lugar Bill at: http://www.shahadeel.com. Great article on the issue.
Karazi is a extreme corrupt anti pakistan and pro indian person he cannot do anything good.
Please read my response below. I didn’t know this blog is maintained by you. This is what I think of the Proposed Solution that you presented in Christian Science Moniter
A Muslim Solution for Afghanistan- Can It Even Work?
http://thekeytopower.blogspot.com/2009/10/muslim-solution-for-afghanistan-can-it.html
mr ahsan
i agree, mr karzai is anti Pakistan and so have been all the previous rulers of Kabul. He is not corrupt but does demand money from all foreign govt. The word corruption is a spin used by the new US administration to replace him with a northern alliance man “Dr Abdullah”, which did not work out. By the way, would you say Mr Zardari is a holy man asking for aid from nearly every foreign Govt.?
I think pakistan did wrong to help US…and now we are surviving what out polititian did
The militants coming across the border from Afghanistan must be stopped. The militants in the northern areas have certainly disturbed the stability of Pakistan and their demands cannot be heard at any position. We must win this war and fight it till the last breath.
Pakistan’s policy about Afghanistan way back in 1980, is the root cause of all that happening in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Innocent people in Pakistan have been killed in suicide attacks and planted bombs. Still our Govt unable to define its clear policy over Afghanistan.
i completely agree with last 3 comments. militants must be stopped from crossing borders in order to stabilize the country. we must have a definite foreign policy for Afghanistan an US otherwise situations prevailing in both the countries will remain the same and we can’t expect anything better. all we are going through nowaays is the bitter fruit of the plant our so called RESPECTED politicians seeded
may ALLAH bless Pakistan, and help us in getting rid of the existing government
The militants coming across the border from Afghanistan must be stopped. The militants in the northern areas have certainly disturbed the stability of Pakistan and their demands cannot be heard at any position. We must win this war and fight it till the last breath.