US Exit Strategy from Afghanistan

The United States after conducting a disastrous war is expected to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan in 2014 and will leave behind a residual force composed of 25 to 30 thousand soldiers. This war conducted by the United States on a false pretext has had disastrous consequences not only on the US in terms of blood and treasure; it has been successful in destabilizing Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan has been impacted immensely by this war as it has destabilized the nation due to the spill over from Afghanistan. Afghanistan has been reduced into ruins as hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have died as collateral damage and the infrastructure of the nation has been destroyed. Pragmatic solutions are needed to end this war as the US withdraws from Afghanistan in 2014 or else the consequences can be horrible for Pakistan and the world.

Introduction
The United States after fighting for almost 11 years has been unsuccessful in pacifying Afghanistan. Insurgency is still rampant and the Taliban and local warlords control 60% of the country. The authority of the Afghan Government largely extends to urban areas while the Taliban and local warlords control most of the countryside. 80% of Afghanistan is made up of villages while 20% of it is made up of cities. More than 2000 American soldiers have lost their lives and the US has spent almost $578 billion in war expenditure for Afghanistan. Even after the sacrifice of these soldiers and this staggering amount, the US has not much to show for its efforts except Kabul. After these failures and a consensus among American strategists that Afghanistan cannot be pacified, the US will withdraw her forces from Afghanistan by 2014 and will leave a residual force of 25 to 30 thousand soldiers.

Implications of US-War
This war has had a negative impact on all the stakeholders concerned. It has destabilized both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The US is currently going through a recession at present. Instead of spending money domestically, the US was forced to spend money in Afghanistan. 2000 soldiers also lost their lives. Most of Afghanistan’s infrastructure was destroyed during American bombing. More than a 100 000 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan. Due to the spill over of the Afghan war inside Pakistan, almost 40 000 civilians have died and almost 3000 soldiers have lost their lives. The economic cost has been around $70 billion. Thus, it is safe to conclude that the Afghan War has had a negative impact on all stakeholders concerned while the Taliban war machinery is still intact

Due to American bullying, Pakistan was also forced to join the Afghan War as an ally of the United States. Due to Pakistan’s close geographic proximity with Afghanistan, this war was naturally going to be spilt over to Pakistan. Pakistan was forced to mobilize and wage war in its tribal areas. This made Pakistan a target for the Taliban as Pakistan sided with the US. The result has been that almost 4000 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, almost 40 000 civilians have died and the cost to the economy has been around $70 billion. Although Pakistan Army was victorious in the field, the militants have proved to be very adaptive by waging an effective guerilla warfare. Also, the militants have found effective sanctuaries inside Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan. As Afghan Government or ISAF do not occupy these provinces, they are the perfect sanctuaries for militants whom after attacking Pakistani Army check posts retreat back into this territory. Thus, it is safe to say that Pakistan has been badly affected by this Afghan War.

What should Pakistan do?
Pakistan should welcome the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, as it would bring stability back inside the nation. The Afghan are historically proud people and they will refuse to be subordinate to any foreign power. Once the Americans withdraw, the different ethnic groups in Afghanistan would have no reason to fight each other. Pakistan should facilitate the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and should insist that no residual forces are left in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s destiny should be left to the will of its own people and there should be no presence of foreign troops. Pakistan should insist that developed nations invest in both Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan so the socio economic status can be improved which will stabilize this region

Conclusion
In conclusion, it is a good step that the Americans will withdraw their forces from Afghanistan. After 11 years of a disastrous war, they have nothing tangible to show for their success. This war has caused immense damages in terms of both blood and treasure to all the stakeholders involved in this war. The war has had a very negative impact on Pakistan as it has destabilized the nation. Increase in the socio economic status of Afghanistan and tribal areas of Pakistan will stabilize the region and not war. Thus, Pakistan should help the Americans in every way possible
for their withdrawal.