2014 is the date for front line troop withdrawal in Afghanistan although many are calling for quicker especially after the recent killing of 6 more UK soldiers in an attack on an armoured personnel carrier. ISAF forces have been there since 2001 as the first theatre of conflict on the “War on Terror”. Many people struggle to say why UK, US and other countries are there at all. The stabilisation of the country or region from falling into the hands of political or religious extremists who wish to expropriate their violent acts to Europe and US is often given as a main reason, for example: the London Olympic Games is going to have a massive security operation in preparation against such an event.
The provision of a security service, an elected Government, improvements in transport, infrastructure and communications allowing for a better standard of living for the general population have all been tried to varying degrees of success or failure over the intervening years at massive expense. Trying to control the production of the opium crop and replacing it with another cash crop has proved difficult too. All are worthy and noble initiatives. Will the Afghan Government and the newly formed security services simply collapse into factions and disarray once ISAF forces leave with the Taliban exerting its dominance once again? Who knows and many commentators reckon they will after 2014.
Pulling out now and sparing more lives both military and civilian seems sensible. I wouldn’t like my child or relative to be lost in a hard to justify war. On the other hand surely it’s all been in vain if operations ceased now. Do we have a duty of care to help other nations from their own internal problems and protect ourselves from their perceived external threats? Then should international assistance be provided in Syria to the protesters against the incumbent shooting their own citizens regime in the manner of Libya in 2011 or the removal of Saddam Hussein in Iraq last decade? China and Russia didn’t support the UN resolution against President Assad and his regime resigning. Which causes do the West or the UN become involved or leave alone? The Chinese prefer to leave countries to deal with their own internal problems and not to become involved. This may suit their own internal political agenda while internationally China is involved in many countries in Africa with their own energy seeking self-interest.
So what is truly in our national interest? The PM has some experienced and sensible people to consult whether it’s Liberal peer Lord Ashdown or former Iraqi coalition governor Conservative MP Rory Stewart and many others however I’m glad it isn’t my decision. My thanks also the ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan who do a difficult job well and I hope they get a sense of achievement from their choice of career.
The Afghan people also want to live their lives and prosper too-the hadiths of the Prophet say much about living peacefully and in harmony with others.
LDC