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An overview of the current political situation in Afghanistan would indicate that the country is a mess. Things have not improved in the country as might have been expected by Western powers involved on the ground. The Taliban regime fell in December 2001 and Mullah Mohammad Omar and the Al Qaeda network, headed by Osama bin Laden, were removed from power by the U.S. These groups had formerly controlled most of Afghanistan. The Taliban were targeted by the U.S. for protecting Osama bin Laden. Today, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the ongoing US-led military operation in Afghanistan, continues to carry out its counter-terrorism mission. Even though the Taliban have been removed from power, they are still present in small pockets, particularly in the eastern and southern regions of Afghanistan. News reports are claiming that these scattered Taliban have now become active against the U.S., and International Peacekeepers. The Taliban-Al Qaeda alliance has resorted to suicide bombings, and deadly attacks to get their message across. The U.S. and Afghanistan have made great progress in the pursuit of common strategic objectives. Together they have disrupted international terrorist networks and worked to ensure that Afghanistan will never again be a safe haven for terrorists. The U.S. has supported Afghanistan to be developed into a democratic and free country.
Afghanistan confronts important challenges to its security and its efforts to build a government based on democratic principles, respect for human rights, and a market economy. To address these challenges, Afghanistan proposed that the U.S. join in a strategic partnership and establish close cooperation, including regular, high-level exchanges on the political, security, and economic issues contained herein and other issues of mutual interest. The U.S. and Afghanistan plan to work together to develop appropriate arrangements and agreements to implement their strategic partnership.
This shared effort will be based on a number of key principles, including a dedication to the rule of law, protection of the human rights and civil liberties of all individuals regardless of ethnic affiliations or gender, support for democratic governance, and reliance on the free market as the best means to further Afghanistan's economic progress. The strategic partnership's primary goal will be to strengthen U.S.-Afghan ties to help ensure Afghanistan's long-term security, democracy, and prosperity. It should contribute to peaceful and productive relations between Afghanistan and its neighbors. It is not directed against any third country.
This partnership will serve as the basis for our common efforts to cooperate in the war against international terror and the struggle against violent extremism, to promote stability and prosperity in the region, and to remain steadfast in supporting Afghanistan's campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation, provide alternate livelihoods assistance, and fight the production and trafficking of drugs. The partnership will be anchored in the constitutions of our two countries, and will be guided by the U.S. and Afghanistan's respective obligations under the United Nations Charter and other international agreements and conventions.
Decades of civil war, political violence, and interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs make Afghanistan's security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity particularly crucial areas for U.S. - Afghan cooperation. To enhance Afghanistan's long-term democracy, prosperity, and security, the U.S. and Afghanistan intend to work closely together.
Meanwhile, with help from the U.S. and the United Nations, Afghanistan adopted its new constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic Republic, in early January 2004. Afghanistan's presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004 in which over 8 million people voted. Hamid Karzai won the elections with 55.4% of the votes.
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan was created in accordance with the Bonn Conference, in December 2001, after the ousting of the Taliban regime. Afghan opposition leaders attending the conference began the process of reconstructing their country, by setting up a new government structure, namely the Afghan Transitional Authority. NATO took over command and coordination of ISAF in August 2003. This was the first mission outside the Euro-Atlantic area in NATO’s history. Initially restricted to providing security in and around Kabul, NATO's mission now covers about 50% of the country's territory. The Alliance is currently in the process of further expanding its presence and role. Earlier, the ISAF numbered about 9,700 troops from 37 NATO and non-NATO troop contributing countries. The strategic command and control is exercised by NATO’s headquarters in Belgium.
The ISAF’s role is to assist the Government in Afghanistan and the international community in maintaining security within the force’s area of operations. ISAF supports the Afghan Government in expanding its authority to the rest of the country, and in providing a safe and secure environment conducive to free and fair elections, the spread of the rule of law, and the reconstruction of the country. It is widely believed that NATO is in Afghanistan for the long term, for as long as the Government of Afghanistan requires its assistance. NATO is committed to Afghanistan and its future. Earlier, in 2005, NATO Foreign Ministers had endorsed a plan to assist the Afghan Government to extend and exercise its authority and influence across the country. The Plan addresses the tasks and challenges ISAF will face as it continues to expand its area of operations to the south and subsequently to the east of the country. It provides the strategic focus to create the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction across the country. It recognizes the primacy of the Afghan Government and the paramount importance of continued, coherent and consistent development of Afghan political institutions and security capability. In addition, it outlines clear arrangements for enhanced coordination and cooperation between ISAF’s stabilization mission and the Coalition counter-terrorism mission. It also highlights the need for ISAF to cooperate effectively with the other key international community agencies in Afghanistan, notably the UN, the EU, the G8 lead nations and the NGO community. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) will continue to be at the leading edge of NATO’s effort in Afghanistan. As such, ISAF stability operations will be used to create an environment required to enable reconstruction and nation building activities to continue. The ISAF's key military tasks include:
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Sohail Mahmood
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