Change of guard in Afghanistan [Editorial Khaleej Times]

[Chap X]

Change of guard in Afghanistan

19 July 2011

The war in Afghanistan is more or less on the same footing since the time General David H. Petraeus assumed command of US operations in Afghanistan last year.
The hand over of responsibilities to General John Allen comes soon after the official launch of the transition process entailing the handing over of security to the Afghan National forces. Eventually, seven key areas will be handed over, shifting greater responsibility on the Afghans and allowing the phased withdrawal of the international troops to continue as per schedule. While some gains including territorial control of former insurgent strongholds have been claimed over the past year, these 
remain fragile, as admitted by the top military commanders.

The security threat remains at an all time high with insurgents having achieved some major successes in recent weeks. The assassination of President Hamid Karzai’s brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai in Kandahar and more recently of the President’s aide, Jan Mohammad Khan as well as another parliamentarian is testament 
to the fact.

So even as Petraeus heads to Langley to assume charge of the CIA, he leaves his successor General Allen facing a formidable task. Having won accolades for reversing the tide in Iraq, Petraeus was not able to make any such remarkable gains in Afghanistan. His arrival on the battlefront was followed by the troop surge with thousands of US forces being deployed over the past year. Ironically, his departure coincides with the start of the drawdown.

Many of the Pentagon’s top military officials including Petraeus have expressed reservations regarding President Barack Obama’s withdrawal plan and have warned of possible reversal of gains. However, after the boost attained from killing Osama bin Laden in a covert US operation in Pakistan, Obama is in a better position to assert his plans for the July US troop withdrawal. Besides, the lifting of the UN sanctions on some Taleban leaders is perceived to be part of a broader plan to give talks with the insurgents a better chance to succeed. As revealed by former US Secretary Defence Robert Gates, the US was engaged in talks with the insurgents, given the importance of working for a political solution.

On the military front, General Allen will have to maintain a fine balance in fighting the insurgents and minimising civilian casualties. The spiralling of civilian killings over the past many months had drawn sharp criticism from the Afghan government and angry protests among the people against the Coalition forces. This is something which will need careful tending in the coming months as the war enters a decisive phase. It is therefore hoped that some breakthrough is achieved in talks sooner rather than later.

Source Change of guard in Afghanistan