In an exclusive and long-ranging interview with the TIME President Hamid Karzai has presented his utopian philosophy on Afghanistan’s relations with the outside world, and with Pakistan in particular.
Mr. Karzai shared with TIME Magazine his wishful thinking of Afghanistan and Pakistan interacting with each other as “Germany and France” both of whom, in Karzai’s view, maintain “the best strategic depth” between them.
But in Karzai’s words the Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has been using Islamic extremism, Madrasas and disenfranchised and uneducated Pashtoon youths as “ammunitions in a political game” and as foreign policy instrument.
To end this vicious trend – which has been ongoing for about three decades – Mr. Karzai suggests “a proper [re]analysis of the Pakistani national interest”.
To sum up Karzai’s largely vague analyses the Pakistani intelligence and military establishments should overhaul their Afghan policy in light of European-like interdependence.
Such oblivious is Mr. Karzai that he ignores the basics of international relations and foreign policy which strictly forbid “wishful thinking and utopianism” and require states to think, decide and act realistically.
Sad to say Mr. Karzai is a naïve idealist in a hyper-realist region where realipolitik has been the guiding principle of neighborhood and regional interaction.
The very node of the problem which has engulfed our region in a worsening violence and anarchy, and which Mr. Karzai may consider petty, is the militarization of the region promoted and prompted by Mr. Karzai’s No. 1 backer: the USA.
Over the past several decades the US has pumped billions of dollars to build up Pakistani military and intelligence establishments and arm the country with the most deadly weaponry.
Even in the post-9/11 arrangements the USA has spent far more money on Pakistani military and intelligence institutions than on rebuilding and developing a war-torn Afghanistan, according to Ahmed Rashid’s Decent into Chaos.
The USA has also inked nuclear deal with Pakistan’s top rival India. To incite Pakistani military rulers the USA has provided F16 jets and other sophisticated weaponry to India.
In brief the USA has deliberately promoted the militarization of Pakistan-India relation and has propelled an atmosphere of fear, military build up and suspicion among regional payers.
On our west the Islamic Republic of Iran is building up its nuclear arsenal in a desperate effort to contain the USA and Israel.
Dear Mr. Karzai: at your threshold, in the region and beyond realist states are building up their military capacity, seeking nuclear weapons and are preparing for war, and not peace, very sadly. And given theses realistic – though bleak – circumstances what motivates you to dream about Afghanistan and Pakistan interacting with each other as Germany and France?
[ENDS]
Mr. Karzai shared with TIME Magazine his wishful thinking of Afghanistan and Pakistan interacting with each other as “Germany and France” both of whom, in Karzai’s view, maintain “the best strategic depth” between them.
But in Karzai’s words the Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has been using Islamic extremism, Madrasas and disenfranchised and uneducated Pashtoon youths as “ammunitions in a political game” and as foreign policy instrument.
To end this vicious trend – which has been ongoing for about three decades – Mr. Karzai suggests “a proper [re]analysis of the Pakistani national interest”.
To sum up Karzai’s largely vague analyses the Pakistani intelligence and military establishments should overhaul their Afghan policy in light of European-like interdependence.
Such oblivious is Mr. Karzai that he ignores the basics of international relations and foreign policy which strictly forbid “wishful thinking and utopianism” and require states to think, decide and act realistically.
Sad to say Mr. Karzai is a naïve idealist in a hyper-realist region where realipolitik has been the guiding principle of neighborhood and regional interaction.
The very node of the problem which has engulfed our region in a worsening violence and anarchy, and which Mr. Karzai may consider petty, is the militarization of the region promoted and prompted by Mr. Karzai’s No. 1 backer: the USA.
Over the past several decades the US has pumped billions of dollars to build up Pakistani military and intelligence establishments and arm the country with the most deadly weaponry.
Even in the post-9/11 arrangements the USA has spent far more money on Pakistani military and intelligence institutions than on rebuilding and developing a war-torn Afghanistan, according to Ahmed Rashid’s Decent into Chaos.
The USA has also inked nuclear deal with Pakistan’s top rival India. To incite Pakistani military rulers the USA has provided F16 jets and other sophisticated weaponry to India.
In brief the USA has deliberately promoted the militarization of Pakistan-India relation and has propelled an atmosphere of fear, military build up and suspicion among regional payers.
On our west the Islamic Republic of Iran is building up its nuclear arsenal in a desperate effort to contain the USA and Israel.
Dear Mr. Karzai: at your threshold, in the region and beyond realist states are building up their military capacity, seeking nuclear weapons and are preparing for war, and not peace, very sadly. And given theses realistic – though bleak – circumstances what motivates you to dream about Afghanistan and Pakistan interacting with each other as Germany and France?
[ENDS]
1 comment:
In the same interview, Karzai seems as if his hands are tied by the international community. He conveys a message as if he is only responsible to be accountable only for actions that he has been allowed to carry out. He hides the same things from his people and electorates. He truly betrays all who have voted for him.
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