The need for Afghanistan to have relations with the West, particularly the United States, cannot be ignored; however, it does not mean that Afghan government should maintain this relationship at any cost. Afghanistan now is certainly in need of West’s assistance and military support, but we should not forget that the country has independently handled its affairs and lived for centuries without any foreign support, and still has this potential. The basis for any relationship with any foreign state, including the US, should be the country’s best interests. Any relationship with any country that does not serve Afghan interests, or has more cons than pros is not acceptable to Afghans as a sovereign nation.
Although President Ghani had based his foreign policy on five circles, which required national consensus first, he concentrated largely on repairing relations with the US and NATO. Since his inception, he has tried his best to please America and NATO at any cost. From silence over civilian casualties caused by NATO airstrikes to the appointment of pro-Americans in government positions, President Ghani has done all he deemed necessary to gladden Washington. Even it is said that National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar, who was considered as Ghani’s closest aide and the second-most powerful official in the National Unity Government, was forced to resign after he opposed the government’s decision to boycott the upcoming conference on Afghan peace in Moscow. In his resignation letter, Atmar has said he quit due to differences he had with the government leadership over peace approach as well as Afghanistan’s relations and policies on a regional and global level. The most recent development with regard to Afghan peace was Kabul’s decision not to attend the Moscow conference, apparently due to pressure from Washington because the United States has not participated in any Afghan peace conferences organized by Moscow. The appointment of former Afghan ambassador to the United States, Hamdullah Moheb, as Atmar’s successor strengthens the possibility that he might have been dismissed at Washington’s behest.
President Ghani shows more pliability than necessary in interaction with America. By doing so, he may be after guaranteeing continued US ties with Afghanistan, but he is blissfully ignorant of the fact that completely turning his back on the region to appease the West can have grave consequences for Afghanistan.
Why was Atmar forced to step down?
