Why is it Important to Talk to the Taliban?
Why is it Important to Talk to the Taliban?
by Major Ali Iqbal
Download the full article: Why is it Important to Talk to the Taliban?
As an international military student in Fort Leavenworth, I am constantly exposed to public, US Government and international opinion on how to succeed/just stay afloat and not sink in the quagmire of that perilous place called “Afghanistan”. Ranging from complex solutions like rebuilding the entire state on the western paradigm, to the irresponsible suggestion of adapting the “It is what it is” policy by creating “Chaositan” – they are all out there on the table. However, as already concluded by many intellectuals, the permanent solution to Afghanistan will be the solution which the Afghans want, not what we sitting many a mile away keep conjecturing about. The harsh reality is that the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated as the Taliban are continuously spreading their influence and cashing in on the frustrations of the people – an ideal force multiplier for the insurgents to leverage for furthering their designs. The main reason why the situation has become so precarious is that the bulk of the country, more precisely east and south east consisting of Pashtuns, is convinced that the Taliban are their real saviors and not the apathetic government in Kabul or ISAF forces. Let us consider why these poor, religiously inclined and simple people favor the “Dark Side” rather than us “Knights in Shining Armor”.
Download the full article: Why is it Important to Talk to the Taliban?
Major Ali Iqbal, Pakistan Army, is currently a student at the US Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He has served as an instructor in School of Armor and Pakistan Military Academy and has twice served as brigade operations officer in an infantry and armor brigade. He has also served as United Nations Military Observer in Sierra Leone. He is a graduate of Command and Staff College, Pakistan and has a master’s degree in Arts and Science of Warfare.
