Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s warning to NATO over Afghanistan must not be taken lightly. According to him, winning the ongoing war is “impossible”.
This is not insignificant. Having ordered the withdrawal of the massive Red Army from Afghanistan decades back, Gorbachev speaks from experience. In a recent interview to the BBC, he warned the United States to withdraw lest they face another Vietnam.
With US troops pouring in by the tens of thousands as part of the coalition surge strategy, Gorbachev’s warning rings an alarming knell. Even though US President Barack Obama had announced July 2011 as the date of start of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan some time back, the inadvertent impact of this announcement has been momentous, to say the least. Among the US administration itself this has been a source of major contention, with many key military figures having expressed their disapproval of what they feel has been a premature and hasty announcement. Not to forget its detrimental fallout on the counterinsurgency. Gorbachev, however, has expressed approval of Obama’s troops exit plans and has, in fact, urged for a complete withdrawal. While contending that the task would be difficult, he did raise a significant point. In his own words, “What’s the alternative — another Vietnam? Sending in half-a-million troops? That wouldn’t work.”
It is something the insurgents are also banking on. Many of them were the mujahideen of yesteryears that had defeated the million-strong Soviet Army, even if it was with the help of the US. They have never stopped drawing moral strength from the fact. Russia’s involvement in paving a way out for the Coalition from the Afghan quagmire may well be on the cards. The NATO-Russia Summit, scheduled for Lisbon next month, is expected to see some important decisions being taken on this front.
One cannot but wonder at the strange twist of fate bringing two former rival blocs together on the very land they fought arduous battles. Despite the bleak forecast, hope must not be lost. The US and the Coalition member states must not forget that military victory will not be the solution. Building Afghan state institutions and helping its people economically in tandem with its political dynamics are imperative.
(Courtesy Khaleej Times)
This is not insignificant. Having ordered the withdrawal of the massive Red Army from Afghanistan decades back, Gorbachev speaks from experience. In a recent interview to the BBC, he warned the United States to withdraw lest they face another Vietnam.
With US troops pouring in by the tens of thousands as part of the coalition surge strategy, Gorbachev’s warning rings an alarming knell. Even though US President Barack Obama had announced July 2011 as the date of start of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan some time back, the inadvertent impact of this announcement has been momentous, to say the least. Among the US administration itself this has been a source of major contention, with many key military figures having expressed their disapproval of what they feel has been a premature and hasty announcement. Not to forget its detrimental fallout on the counterinsurgency. Gorbachev, however, has expressed approval of Obama’s troops exit plans and has, in fact, urged for a complete withdrawal. While contending that the task would be difficult, he did raise a significant point. In his own words, “What’s the alternative — another Vietnam? Sending in half-a-million troops? That wouldn’t work.”
It is something the insurgents are also banking on. Many of them were the mujahideen of yesteryears that had defeated the million-strong Soviet Army, even if it was with the help of the US. They have never stopped drawing moral strength from the fact. Russia’s involvement in paving a way out for the Coalition from the Afghan quagmire may well be on the cards. The NATO-Russia Summit, scheduled for Lisbon next month, is expected to see some important decisions being taken on this front.
One cannot but wonder at the strange twist of fate bringing two former rival blocs together on the very land they fought arduous battles. Despite the bleak forecast, hope must not be lost. The US and the Coalition member states must not forget that military victory will not be the solution. Building Afghan state institutions and helping its people economically in tandem with its political dynamics are imperative.
(Courtesy Khaleej Times)
