Afghanistan War

Unlike the war in Iraq which had entered its last stage, the
war in Afghanistan appears to have several open ends. The
security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated greatly and no
comprehensive political outcome has yet arrived. By early 2009,
several members of Congress, the officials of the administration
and the outside experts had concluded that the efforts known
as the America's "other war" required great national attention.
In the inaugural address speech, the US President Barrack
Obama had stated that the United States would forge a
hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.
For the Afghanistan government, the war was an existential
struggle for survival against the Taliban and other insurgents as
well as the long-term efforts for the establishment of sustainable
security and great stability. For the US government, the war in
Afghanistan was concerned about the security of both
Afghanistan and the surrounding regions. The concern also
included the denial of the safe heaven to the terrorists and in
ensuring the stable and constructive regional security balance.
For the regional states which included Russia and India as well
as the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan including Pakistan
and Iran, the war in Afghanistan is critical as it can have a
powerful impact on the future security and the balance of
influence and power in the region. For the individual members
of the NATO Alliance, the war might be the combination of
defeating the terrorist networks, proving themselves as efficient
NATO members, ensuring the regional stability and
demonstrating the relevance of the Alliance of the security
challenges of the 21st century.
Looking ahead, the United States government faces several
operational and strategic decisions about the further engagement
of Afghanistan in war. Some of the decisions include:
Clarification of the national interests of the United States in
Afghanistan and the surrounding regions.
The definition of the clear strategic objectives which are
based on the specified national interests.
The determination of the military, economic and diplomatic
approaches which need to be adopted and what resources
are committed to supporting the various kinds of approaches.
The prioritization of the war in Afghanistan war in
comparison to the imperatives of the national securities which
would include the war in Iraq and the preparation to meet
the potential threats.
The helping of the marshal in a coordinated application of
the international efforts.
The United States has argued over the security of Afghanistan
since decades. As the world is working on building the national
security in Afghanistan and the neighboring areas along with
the local defense forces, there is still a great need to redouble
the efforts at building up and strengthening the Afghan human
capital and the proper institution of governance that would be
able to stand up on its own one day as an effective and
independent government.