Afghanistan Progress Report: The rampant corruption and fight against the Taliban

The Afghanistan progress report has been released on Thursday by the US government. Obama said while reading out the report to the media that the Al Qaeda has been weakened and the momentum of the Taliban has been contained. He said although the task in Afghanistan is difficult but the US will achieve the goals.

It is yet to be analyzed whether the contents of the report are in consonance with the ground realities or are just a cover up for a withdrawal of US troops that is planned with effect from July 2011. With about 700 casualties of NATO troops during the current year as compared to 520 casualties during 2009, the claim made in the progress report seems doubtful.

Another aspect that needs attention is the statement by the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He said, “Our goal isn’t to build a 21st-century Afghanistan. Our goal is not a country that is free of corruption, which would be unique in the entire region.” Instead, he said, it’s to turn back the Taliban and “provide some minimal capability” to the Afghan government. If the goal of a super power is confined to military action, destruction, civilian casualties and installation of puppet governments in occupied territories and not the development and reformation, then what the mankind has achieved after centuries of wars and destruction? The other question is; is it possible that a puppet government remains in power along with a rampant corruption and at the same time the Taliban are driven out? The answer is a big no. when people experience and observe an inefficient and corrupt government they are automatically inclined to look for an alternative. In the present circumstances this alternative is in the shape of the Taliban.

Defense secretary Robert Gates should be well aware of the historical and philosophical fact that the peace can not be achieved at the gun point. It has never happened in the history and it will never happen in future. A the most one can achieve a ‘pause’ or a temporary ‘calm’. The weapon of development is the best one for creating peace and stability. The Obama administration is sincerely advised to start a meaningful dialogue with the Taliban, if a sustainable peace is to be achieved in Afghanistan.