Untying The Kabul Knot
Geopolitics|Sep-2018

Seventeen long years have gone by since the war against the Taliban ended. But peace has not returned. The Taliban regrouped, thanks to the unceasing support of Pakistan, and returned with vengeance in less than a year and have since managed to wreak havoc all over the country. Since 2014, the Islamic State has joined in to find a niche for itself as it faces stiff resistance and rout in West Asia. Since 2001, the total number of Afghans killed in war is a staggering 111,000. APRATIM MUKARJI explains what is wrong with Afghanistan

Apratim Mukarji
Untying The Kabul Knot
 There are two ways to look at Afghanistan at this juncture. As many as 5,122 civilians became victims of various terror-related incidents in the first six months of 2018,as many as 1,692 of them killed, a much higher level of casualties in vogue for the last three years. This year, the country will be holding its third parliamentary elections,  a democratic exercise introduced after the liberation of the country from the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban in 2001. This is also the 30th. year of continuous warfare for the country. The Afghans live with war every day of their lives. There is no other country with that kind of debilitating qualification.

However, there are three distinctly new trends in the situation. The most significant of these is the people’s frustration and anger over the never-ending warfare and a devastated life they are being forced to live. This was manifest in a long march which common Afghans took out in early July covering 700 km. from the north to Kabul, demanding that the fighting be stopped by both the insurgents and the government and that peace negotiations begun. Peace activists in the march questioned the efficacy of the billion-dollar-worth international efforts to bring peace and reconstruction to the country.

However, the people’s search for peace and the government’s and the international players’ desperation to get the Taliban to the negotiating table underscores just one thing, and that is the unquestionable ascendancy of the Taliban in the intervening years since their ouster at the end of 2001. The fundamentalist force is now said to be controlling half of the country.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Sep-2018 من Geopolitics.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Sep-2018 من Geopolitics.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من GEOPOLITICS مشاهدة الكل
NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Geopolitics

NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION

AMIT COWSHISH explains why the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which is one of the biggest spenders, needs to watch out for the latest mediation rules.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2024
NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
Geopolitics

NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

KARAN KHARB argues that Pakistan's continued use of proxy war tactics against India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, poses a severe threat to national security. He advocates for a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of military strategies and a coordinated national policy to address both external and internal security challenges effectively.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL
Geopolitics

INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL

German submarine-builder ThyssenKrupp (TKMS) and India's Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) have emerged as leaders in the Indian Navy's Project-751, which aims to build six submarines with Fuel Cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and Lithium-ion batteries. Following successful field trials, TKMS and MDL have gained an edge over competitors by demonstrating their proven AIP technology and advanced submarine design tailored to the Indian Navy's needs.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY
Geopolitics

VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY

The article explores India's ascent as a global influencer, emphasising its strategic advancements in foreign policy, defence, and economic growth. It also highlights India's challenges in achieving sustainable development and strengthening internal security. Adopting a forward-looking approach, the article envisions India's rise as a major economic power and a key player in global stability, as outlined by LT. GEN. A.B. SHIVANE (RETD.).

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?
Geopolitics

WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?

Speculation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Ukraine raises questions about India's role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Drawing from its experience during the Korean War, India may seek to leverage its strategic neutrality to foster dialogue in a conflict where China and Turkey have also shown interest, opines PRAKASH NANDA.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE
Geopolitics

UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE

With the rest of the world developing unmanned ground vehicles at a breakneck speed, it is time for India to join the bandwagon at the earliest.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
SUPERSONIC DESTROYER
Geopolitics

SUPERSONIC DESTROYER

The BrahMos programme has filled a critical gap in the Indian armed forces' missile inventory and continues to attract strong export interest, writes ATUL CHANDRA.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2024
POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR
Geopolitics

POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR

India is facing many internal security threats, and it is time to reshape the strategic dynamics by modernising the police forces.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
FUTURE FIGHTER
Geopolitics

FUTURE FIGHTER

FIA 24 provided important insights into the Global Combat Air Programme, which will redefine the future of air combat, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR.

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2024
FILLING THE GAP
Geopolitics

FILLING THE GAP

A new Medium Transport Aircraft is essential for the IAF, but it will have to compete with other pressing programmes fighting for limited budgetary resources, analyses ATUL CHANDRA.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2024