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Afghanistan: Implications of a global failure for US and Pakistan! – Gen Tariq Khan
“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic”. Robert A Heinlein. US withdrawal from Afghanistan has created a new situation for the US, region and especially Pakistan. Ex-Head Pakistan Central Command analyses.
ByGen. Tariq Khan
15 August 2021
United States has decided to withdraw from Afghanistan, and they did it on account of growing ground resistance. Frustration with an environment not willing to be tamed and finally losing patience. However, the decision was a political and not a military one. There is a lot of evidence to suggest this, but the perception now is that the United States has ‘lost the war’ and have been defeated by the Taliban.
As this perception of a United States defeat at the hands of Taliban builds up, another supporting one is also developing: That Pakistan is providing safe havens to the Taliban and that alone is the basis of the Taliban successes against the United States. Pakistan can bend over backwards and deny such claims but our own pseudo-intellectuals and armchair warriors themselves eagerly contradict the establishment’s position. It is very difficult for them to understand that Pakistan does not have the resources or the capacity to fund, resource and direct a proxy war at this scale.
America’s Shameful Surrender In Afghanistan – Andrew Korybko
An odd incident, here or there, brought on record, involving some junior operator, carried away by his importance, in some far-flung area, offering money or access to an individual Taliban, is quoted as strategic substance to this theory. In Pakistan it is customary to habitually take an exception and present it as the rule. We do this to accrue two minutes of glory under the sun while it shines or then because in such contradictory and accusatory behaviour there is some benefit to the accuser. Conspiracies and rumours rule the moment while any logic and reasoning are set aside so to develop false perceptions situated to satisfy a predetermined position. These perceptions are then promptly quoted by the likes of Christine Fair and Hussain Haqqani with enthusiasm, authority and cross references as Pakistan is continually painted to be the devil.
Why ANA is collapsing against Taliban despite superior numbers?
However, in almost every engagement, after the withdrawal of United States, the Taliban are outnumbered anywhere between five or six to one, which implies that normally about 200 militants are taking on about a 1000 ANA soldiers. Two Afghan Army Chiefs have been sacked. There must be some reason for them to have been served such marching orders. Nevertheless, how do these soft acquittals by the ANA involve Pakistan. Was Pakistan instrumental in motivating or influencing the ANA to lay down their arms? What has this woeful performance of the Afghan Military Establishment got anything to do with Pakistan?
Read earlier piece from Gen. Tariq: Pakistan’s Continuing Challenge – Afghan Gordian knot
The Afghan Army and Police were organised, with the United States help, as a force of 4,50,000 men, (including police) supported by air, armoured vehicles, artillery and were designed to combat terrorism/insurgency. Yet a force no larger than, at its very best, 85000 militants, armed with small arms, mortars and rocket launchers are sweeping across Afghanistan capturing province after province, as if it is a walk over. How does Pakistan fit into this equation or then be held responsible for the ANA’s dismal performance?
While all that went on in Afghanistan, I found that with all these reverses, lack of progress and downright failures, everyone was blamed except the United States, the ANA, the Afghan Police or the Khad. These people could do no wrong. No inquiry or investigation ever pointed a figure at the disappointment and catastrophe they caused, nor were any corrective measures suggested. It was always business as usual.
Taliban Sweep in Afghanistan Follows Years of U.S. Miscalculations – NYT
Seven original sins that led to the US, ISAF and finally ANA’s defeat?
The consequences of shifting blame elsewhere, shirking responsibility and failing to hold any accountability has come full circle, with the ground reality screaming accusations against the very accusers who were in search of scapegoats. However, since Pakistan is blamed for failures by United States and others and having been intimately involved with this War Against Terror, I felt it was my duty to highlight some of the reasons for the collapse in Afghanistan and the Taliban successes so that their amazement and surprise is put to rest:
First, Corruption; A report prepared by John F Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction titled, “The state of corruption in Afghanistan and the role of independent institutions” was a webinar event held on June 24, 2020. This is an important activity that one needs to look up along with a host of other SIGAR (Special Inspector General Afghanistan) Reports. Resources were misappropriated and misused, and this involved American Contractors as well. If corruption takes on a lead role in any activity, then ownership, loyalty and integration of that institution or organization is always questionable. Corruption in the US controlled Afghanistan destroyed any credible governance and people suffered injustices and were often victims of parochialism, ethnic or tribal preferences. Hamid Karzai and his family were involved right from the top and as such no organization could ever take root.
Second, Narcotics; Drug production grew under the ISAF watch from a zero production to a $ 2.2 Billion Afghan share of the revenue. This in turn threw up a culture of its own that was highly decentralized and had a law unto itself. In fact, many of the ISAF personal were corrupted by this as well. This broke down the rule of law. Some people were more equal than others. Ashraf Ghani and his relatives posted people of their liking and who were useful to them and as such every post became questionable, designed to facilitate illicit trade and narcotics. Lucrative business has an appeal that commands loyalty of another kind.
Third, ISAF Conduct and Good Behaviour Money to Taliban – We know, though it is never acknowledged, that many ISAF participants handed out ‘good behaviour’ money to the Taliban. They paid a price to be left alone!!! Imagine that the coalition paid out funds as protection money and how can one expect anything from a force such as this. NATO as well as the United Nations must hold a proper investigation into this and come up with ways and means to ensure that such disgraceful conduct is never repeated. Any denial of this accusation by any party will prompt me to name those countries with evidence as to what they did.
Fourth, Deliberately Insecure Logistics – the western coalition refused to have its logistics contracted out to NLC (National Logistics Cell, Pakistan) and instead used private contractors. Most of these haulage contractors were Taliban sympathizers. It was an indirect way to pay for the protection of goods along the lines of communication. The Taliban benefited by pocketing some money as well as some military stores that they could pilferage. It’s no wonder that Karkhano Bazar in Peshawar and Wesh in Chaman, were stocked with US Military equipment for sale to anyone willing to pay for it.
Fifth, Strategic Issues that ISAF could have handled better
a.ISAF was a coalition of many countries, led by the United States, that never really worked out how they could operate across the combat spectrum. Some of the issues that plagued cooperation were: Unified command was always an issue. Separate countries had separate caveats governing their operations. Logistics was a confusing activity specially when no NATO country had individually signed any agreement with Pakistan for passage
Here in United States controlled Afghanistan, some Einstein thought up this very silly notion that collecting a mob and arming them would do for an Army. What’s worse is that everyone believed that this was possible. There were numerous times when we during our inter-action warned the Americans that this was a no-go. That the arms and equipment would soon be in Taliban hands. No one would see reason, after all we were the bad guys and were never to be believed. Here are some facts that need to be noted:
Fresh US troops: reality or Psy-Ops?
Apparently, the situation now has amazed the United States and they along with their sidekick, the United Kingdom, have released a press statement that they may deploy 3000 troops in the next 24/48 hours. They might, but I think this is more of a thrasonical brag than a reality – a hope that such an announcement may stem the Taliban Blitz.
Why would an evacuation of a few Americans and Britons need 3000 troops when safe passage was already agreed to and had been successfully negotiated at Doha? Is it visualized that this evacuation would be a product of blazing exchange of gunfire and chaos? Or then, maybe there is a change of heart and the United States along with its allies wants to reverse the idea of a withdrawal and that these 3000 troops are an advance body of more to come.
If that be the case, Afghanistan may well be subjected to foreign occupation by the United States once again. My feeling is that it is more a warning to the Taliban than a reality, hoping that the threat of fresh inductions may convince the Taliban to negotiate.
I believe a sort of negotiated outline has now been agreed which may be implemented in a few days to come. The highlights of the agreement so far envisage Ashraf Ghani stepping down, Abdullah ceasing to hold office but being retained as a negotiator. The system will not be totally upset, and the Taliban may except some representation by other ethnic and ideological groups. There is hope that there will be no fighting for Kabul and that the Taliban will be given access to setup the new government.
Taliban Victory: Clear and Present Danger for Pakistan?
The Taliban will likely form Government in Afghanistan in the near future. No one in his right mind, not only in the United States but any where in the world, would agree with their view on how governance should be administered or their human rights record. However, that is for the people of Afghanistan to address, and others must avoid getting involved in something that is internal to Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, a Taliban Government in place, applying harsh laws as are anticipated, impacting negatively on the emancipation of women and forcing society to follow their obscurantist manner of life will stand up as an example all over. The general view will be argued that when divinity is on your side, success is around the corner. That how a rag-tag Army with help of God Almighty defeated the United States and the World and if they could, why can’t we too do the same? It’s a powerful argument and it will unfold in Pakistan before it unfolds anywhere else.
Pakistan is a soft country where fundamentalism and extreme thinking comes into play. Society is already swayed by ideological rhetoric and is susceptible to mob influence. Governments lack political will to enforce the law and the administration allows space to such extremists. Today Islamabad is flooded with madrassahs and Mullah Aziz Burqa remains free to pollute society. The street power of religio-political groups is immense, and they can shut the national communication system and bring life to a standstill. This can happen as they demand that we too follow in the Taliban style effectively Talibanizing Pakistan.
Eleven Steps Pakistan needs to protect itself from Afghan situation
This needs to be realized and safeguards must be taken now failing which these groups can be funded, resourced and launched by external hostile agencies. It can cause a severe polarization of society and create anarchic conditions. It needs to be noted that nothing from Afghanistan can affect Pakistan as much as our own tentative responses and weak governance. Some steps that must be put into place as soon as possible are recommended as follows:
Writer, Gen. Tariq Khan, retired as head of Pakistan’s Central Command. He previously led Pakistan’s strike Corps at Mangla and has led Frontier Corps to victory against TTP. He had participated in the First Gulf War of 1991 and contributed towards the international effort in the War on Terrorism as Pakistan’s Senior representative at CENTCOM, Tampa, Florida from 2004 to 2005. Gen. Tariq has written and lectured extensively on the issues related to Afghanistan, United States and Taliban.
Afghanistan: Implications of a global failure for US and Pakistan! – Gen Tariq Khan - Global Village Space
“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic”. Robert A Heinlein. US withdrawal from Afghanistan has created a new situation for the US, region and especially Pakistan. Ex-Head Pakistan Central Command analyses.
ByGen. Tariq Khan
15 August 2021
United States has decided to withdraw from Afghanistan, and they did it on account of growing ground resistance. Frustration with an environment not willing to be tamed and finally losing patience. However, the decision was a political and not a military one. There is a lot of evidence to suggest this, but the perception now is that the United States has ‘lost the war’ and have been defeated by the Taliban.
As this perception of a United States defeat at the hands of Taliban builds up, another supporting one is also developing: That Pakistan is providing safe havens to the Taliban and that alone is the basis of the Taliban successes against the United States. Pakistan can bend over backwards and deny such claims but our own pseudo-intellectuals and armchair warriors themselves eagerly contradict the establishment’s position. It is very difficult for them to understand that Pakistan does not have the resources or the capacity to fund, resource and direct a proxy war at this scale.
America’s Shameful Surrender In Afghanistan – Andrew Korybko
An odd incident, here or there, brought on record, involving some junior operator, carried away by his importance, in some far-flung area, offering money or access to an individual Taliban, is quoted as strategic substance to this theory. In Pakistan it is customary to habitually take an exception and present it as the rule. We do this to accrue two minutes of glory under the sun while it shines or then because in such contradictory and accusatory behaviour there is some benefit to the accuser. Conspiracies and rumours rule the moment while any logic and reasoning are set aside so to develop false perceptions situated to satisfy a predetermined position. These perceptions are then promptly quoted by the likes of Christine Fair and Hussain Haqqani with enthusiasm, authority and cross references as Pakistan is continually painted to be the devil.
Why ANA is collapsing against Taliban despite superior numbers?
However, in almost every engagement, after the withdrawal of United States, the Taliban are outnumbered anywhere between five or six to one, which implies that normally about 200 militants are taking on about a 1000 ANA soldiers. Two Afghan Army Chiefs have been sacked. There must be some reason for them to have been served such marching orders. Nevertheless, how do these soft acquittals by the ANA involve Pakistan. Was Pakistan instrumental in motivating or influencing the ANA to lay down their arms? What has this woeful performance of the Afghan Military Establishment got anything to do with Pakistan?
Read earlier piece from Gen. Tariq: Pakistan’s Continuing Challenge – Afghan Gordian knot
The Afghan Army and Police were organised, with the United States help, as a force of 4,50,000 men, (including police) supported by air, armoured vehicles, artillery and were designed to combat terrorism/insurgency. Yet a force no larger than, at its very best, 85000 militants, armed with small arms, mortars and rocket launchers are sweeping across Afghanistan capturing province after province, as if it is a walk over. How does Pakistan fit into this equation or then be held responsible for the ANA’s dismal performance?
While all that went on in Afghanistan, I found that with all these reverses, lack of progress and downright failures, everyone was blamed except the United States, the ANA, the Afghan Police or the Khad. These people could do no wrong. No inquiry or investigation ever pointed a figure at the disappointment and catastrophe they caused, nor were any corrective measures suggested. It was always business as usual.
Taliban Sweep in Afghanistan Follows Years of U.S. Miscalculations – NYT
Seven original sins that led to the US, ISAF and finally ANA’s defeat?
The consequences of shifting blame elsewhere, shirking responsibility and failing to hold any accountability has come full circle, with the ground reality screaming accusations against the very accusers who were in search of scapegoats. However, since Pakistan is blamed for failures by United States and others and having been intimately involved with this War Against Terror, I felt it was my duty to highlight some of the reasons for the collapse in Afghanistan and the Taliban successes so that their amazement and surprise is put to rest:
First, Corruption; A report prepared by John F Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction titled, “The state of corruption in Afghanistan and the role of independent institutions” was a webinar event held on June 24, 2020. This is an important activity that one needs to look up along with a host of other SIGAR (Special Inspector General Afghanistan) Reports. Resources were misappropriated and misused, and this involved American Contractors as well. If corruption takes on a lead role in any activity, then ownership, loyalty and integration of that institution or organization is always questionable. Corruption in the US controlled Afghanistan destroyed any credible governance and people suffered injustices and were often victims of parochialism, ethnic or tribal preferences. Hamid Karzai and his family were involved right from the top and as such no organization could ever take root.
Second, Narcotics; Drug production grew under the ISAF watch from a zero production to a $ 2.2 Billion Afghan share of the revenue. This in turn threw up a culture of its own that was highly decentralized and had a law unto itself. In fact, many of the ISAF personal were corrupted by this as well. This broke down the rule of law. Some people were more equal than others. Ashraf Ghani and his relatives posted people of their liking and who were useful to them and as such every post became questionable, designed to facilitate illicit trade and narcotics. Lucrative business has an appeal that commands loyalty of another kind.
Third, ISAF Conduct and Good Behaviour Money to Taliban – We know, though it is never acknowledged, that many ISAF participants handed out ‘good behaviour’ money to the Taliban. They paid a price to be left alone!!! Imagine that the coalition paid out funds as protection money and how can one expect anything from a force such as this. NATO as well as the United Nations must hold a proper investigation into this and come up with ways and means to ensure that such disgraceful conduct is never repeated. Any denial of this accusation by any party will prompt me to name those countries with evidence as to what they did.
Fourth, Deliberately Insecure Logistics – the western coalition refused to have its logistics contracted out to NLC (National Logistics Cell, Pakistan) and instead used private contractors. Most of these haulage contractors were Taliban sympathizers. It was an indirect way to pay for the protection of goods along the lines of communication. The Taliban benefited by pocketing some money as well as some military stores that they could pilferage. It’s no wonder that Karkhano Bazar in Peshawar and Wesh in Chaman, were stocked with US Military equipment for sale to anyone willing to pay for it.
Fifth, Strategic Issues that ISAF could have handled better
a.ISAF was a coalition of many countries, led by the United States, that never really worked out how they could operate across the combat spectrum. Some of the issues that plagued cooperation were: Unified command was always an issue. Separate countries had separate caveats governing their operations. Logistics was a confusing activity specially when no NATO country had individually signed any agreement with Pakistan for passage
- ISAF resorted to garrisoning their troops and thus controlled a town/village or a locality but not the rural spaces. The Taliban enjoyed freedom of movement and liberty of action which ISAF did not.
- ISAF kept rotating troops every year and never really allowed their leadership to get acquainted with terrain, the resistance, or the intelligence. This disrupted combat contiguity. They depended upon the Northern Alliance for such information who often misled them into attacking Pakistani troops and positions, as in Salala (Nov 2011, killing 23 Pakistani soldiers) rather than targeting the real threat.
Here in United States controlled Afghanistan, some Einstein thought up this very silly notion that collecting a mob and arming them would do for an Army. What’s worse is that everyone believed that this was possible. There were numerous times when we during our inter-action warned the Americans that this was a no-go. That the arms and equipment would soon be in Taliban hands. No one would see reason, after all we were the bad guys and were never to be believed. Here are some facts that need to be noted:
- First the recruitment of the soldiers in the ANA was open ended and any drug addict or a street criminal could enrol.
- Second, this army lacked in leadership which it still does. This is because of accelerated promotions, poor selection, corruption and lack of merit.
- Thirdly, training was a missing factor and the soldiers remained green. The ANA is incapable of operating without supervision and watch over by professional mentors even today.
- Fourthly, because of the overall environment and the very unpopular Government, the Army lacks in motivation. It has a very low morale and is not supported by the people.
- Finally, the ANA are quick to surrender or join the Taliban, swelling their ranks, even though they are not respected as fighters. This phenomenon has become a source of recruitment, fresh armaments and supplies for the Taliban and this continues to grow as their offensive expands. Besides, the freeing of prisoners by the Taliban has made a huge resource available to them from amongst the grateful inmates.
Fresh US troops: reality or Psy-Ops?
Apparently, the situation now has amazed the United States and they along with their sidekick, the United Kingdom, have released a press statement that they may deploy 3000 troops in the next 24/48 hours. They might, but I think this is more of a thrasonical brag than a reality – a hope that such an announcement may stem the Taliban Blitz.
Why would an evacuation of a few Americans and Britons need 3000 troops when safe passage was already agreed to and had been successfully negotiated at Doha? Is it visualized that this evacuation would be a product of blazing exchange of gunfire and chaos? Or then, maybe there is a change of heart and the United States along with its allies wants to reverse the idea of a withdrawal and that these 3000 troops are an advance body of more to come.
If that be the case, Afghanistan may well be subjected to foreign occupation by the United States once again. My feeling is that it is more a warning to the Taliban than a reality, hoping that the threat of fresh inductions may convince the Taliban to negotiate.
I believe a sort of negotiated outline has now been agreed which may be implemented in a few days to come. The highlights of the agreement so far envisage Ashraf Ghani stepping down, Abdullah ceasing to hold office but being retained as a negotiator. The system will not be totally upset, and the Taliban may except some representation by other ethnic and ideological groups. There is hope that there will be no fighting for Kabul and that the Taliban will be given access to setup the new government.
Taliban Victory: Clear and Present Danger for Pakistan?
The Taliban will likely form Government in Afghanistan in the near future. No one in his right mind, not only in the United States but any where in the world, would agree with their view on how governance should be administered or their human rights record. However, that is for the people of Afghanistan to address, and others must avoid getting involved in something that is internal to Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, a Taliban Government in place, applying harsh laws as are anticipated, impacting negatively on the emancipation of women and forcing society to follow their obscurantist manner of life will stand up as an example all over. The general view will be argued that when divinity is on your side, success is around the corner. That how a rag-tag Army with help of God Almighty defeated the United States and the World and if they could, why can’t we too do the same? It’s a powerful argument and it will unfold in Pakistan before it unfolds anywhere else.
Pakistan is a soft country where fundamentalism and extreme thinking comes into play. Society is already swayed by ideological rhetoric and is susceptible to mob influence. Governments lack political will to enforce the law and the administration allows space to such extremists. Today Islamabad is flooded with madrassahs and Mullah Aziz Burqa remains free to pollute society. The street power of religio-political groups is immense, and they can shut the national communication system and bring life to a standstill. This can happen as they demand that we too follow in the Taliban style effectively Talibanizing Pakistan.
Eleven Steps Pakistan needs to protect itself from Afghan situation
This needs to be realized and safeguards must be taken now failing which these groups can be funded, resourced and launched by external hostile agencies. It can cause a severe polarization of society and create anarchic conditions. It needs to be noted that nothing from Afghanistan can affect Pakistan as much as our own tentative responses and weak governance. Some steps that must be put into place as soon as possible are recommended as follows:
- Legislation must be passed to prevent anyone from disrupting the regular lines of communication across the country. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to enjoy liberty of movement, and no one should be allowed to disrupt this. Disrupting the National Lines of Communication is tantamount to treason and must never be permitted.
- Protests and political activity must be allowed only in specific venues and day to day routine life must not be affected by it. Full media coverage should be given to these events; however, a proper panel of think tanks should proffer their opinions and views informing society of a moderated position on issues.
- Society must be encouraged to let everyone mind his own business and must be prevented from interfering in the lives of other citizens. A law must be passed in this connection, complaint centres must be established at the Mohalla levels and monitored at a suitable level to contain strong arm tactics and coercion.
- Laws governing financial transactions must be further tightened and the informal economy must either not be allowed to remain functional or steps be taken to bring the informal economy into mainstream financial systems.
- The intelligence agencies must present their respective hypothesis and responses as an annual practice. These presentations must be heard at an appropriate level. Pakistan is suffering mostly on account of intelligence failures. These agencies need to be hauled up and asked to explain.
- Police and Law Enforcement need to define training parameters allowing them to contain mobilization of society through an extremist-oriented incentive. The police must be depoliticized so that they are not influenced by various political parties. This calls for an autonomous Headquarter which is self-sustaining in every way.
- Events to be encouraged to allow society to participate in nation building through organized sports and other competitive events. Society needs to be liberated from closed thinking obscurantist values.
- Political parties and other national institutions must shed away their respective mullah groups with which they blackmail each other. Negotiated settlement must never be adopted to for those who break the law and instead they must be punished according to the violations that they have done. No petty official should be authorized to negotiate with groups that disrupt routine life.
- Immigration procedures must be made very stringent. The National Identity Card must be reviewed, and it must be ensured that non- Pakistanis are not furnished such documents including passports. There is no need nor any precedence anywhere to display one’s religion on the passport. It must be done away with or remain optional. One’s religion is one’s own business.
- The justice system must be revamped in keeping with the situation. Judges must be protected and not openly exposed. Special courts may be set up to try people who deliberately disrupt day to day routine. Trials must be time lined. System to select judges needs to be reviewed. How one is elevated to higher office must have a defined route and qualification.
- NACTA must be activated to function fully or then be deactivated and dissolved. Its present status is pathetic.
Writer, Gen. Tariq Khan, retired as head of Pakistan’s Central Command. He previously led Pakistan’s strike Corps at Mangla and has led Frontier Corps to victory against TTP. He had participated in the First Gulf War of 1991 and contributed towards the international effort in the War on Terrorism as Pakistan’s Senior representative at CENTCOM, Tampa, Florida from 2004 to 2005. Gen. Tariq has written and lectured extensively on the issues related to Afghanistan, United States and Taliban.
Afghanistan: Implications of a global failure for US and Pakistan! – Gen Tariq Khan - Global Village Space
