Archive for October, 2011
Geo aired Karzai’s interview in its original form
on October 25, 2011ISLAMABAD: The airing of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s interview in Geo TV’s programme ‘Jirga’ has caused a stir across the world. From New York Times to Washington Post and from Hindustan Times to The Hindu have commented on it.
Similarly it is the most debated issue in national and international TV talk shows. The Afghan print and electronic media is telecasting nothing else except discussing the issue.
The ultimate winner
on October 22, 2011The US is facing defeat on three fronts in Afghanistan. The first defeat is in its reconstruction efforts, which have failed to bring about any sustainable development or produce indigenous institutions. The second defeat is in the combat area. The military surge and the policies of David Patreaus both failed to deliver. With each passing day, as the 2014 deadline of Obama’s military withdrawal approaches, resistance form the Taliban and the Hekmatyar group is gaining strength.
The third defeat for the US is in its efforts to negotiate with the resistance groups. In the early years, over-confident of its might, the US denied any need for negotiations or a political solution. In fact, the Americans rejected outright any proposals on negotiations coming from Pakistan and any moves in this direction by Hamid Karzai. At a later stage, however, even the Americans realised the true magnitude of the problem and the need for political engagement. Read the complete column »