Peace in Afghanistan Is Possible

The only acceptable course of action is a total end to the US-led war in Afghanistan, as war and US troops on the ground only cause further destabilization in a distinctly bloody fashion.

As advocated by Pentagon planners, more war and more boots on the ground would be a disaster.  America’s “longest war” and doubling down on a doomed obsession must be dreaded. The world has had enough of Afghan war.

The policymakers in Washington should initiate a new search for broader diplomatic solutions at the United Nations. That means working to build a true coalition aimed at using diplomatic and financial measures at the international level in Afghanistan.

The policymakers in Washington must realize that there is no military solution to America’s “longest war”. One way or another, in all likelihood, diplomacy must prevail, and that means engagement with Russia, China, Iran, and other players in peace efforts.

They should organize a real diplomatic partnership to erode support for violence in Afghanistan, and promote the benefits of regional dialogue and security cooperation without US bombs and troops on the ground. In the absence of US intervention and bombs, a real coalition as such could provide the best hope of restoring peace and security to the war-torn country.

Instead of coming up with corny excuses “to stay the course” for “real soldiering” and reshuffling of military priorities, the US government should take a good look in the mirror, because all they are trying to do is white-mask their never-ending war in that anguished land.

This is about forcing the US government to apologize and make condolence payments to Afghan people. The US government often claims adherence to international law that are really tragic lies. The US should cease its high-tech killing campaign and call it quits in Afghanistan as the campaign undermines the right to life and security.

The silly argument by those in favour of keeping the American troops is largely the same throughout the war, that the Afghan government isn’t capable of security on their own, and that a US pullout would add pressure to that struggling military.

From experience, US military presence will only ensure more violence, attract more armed opposition, and postpone the day of reckoning among political factions in Afghanistan. It won’t fare well and that shouldn’t be a shock.

Right on cue, the United Nations and the international civil society should wisely turn against such a destructive policy that will only cost the US many more lives and hundreds of billions of dollars, while only making a desperate situation worse for the Afghans.

The world community has the power to stop this folly they know is irresponsible, inconclusive and unpopular. It falls to them to demand a US exit strategy and not a permanent occupation or election-themed troop reduction.

They could start doing so by making an all-inclusive peace deal in Afghanistan a top priority at the UN. The foremost priority when it comes to peace should not be just Afghanistan but the whole region too.

If the message isn't already clear enough, let’s summarize: The US occupation of Afghanistan has always been open-ended, but it seems to be getting even more in recent weeks. In the US election season, that’s bad news for international efforts to kick-start peace talks in the war-ravaged country.