The Afghan war is now almost four decades old. This conflict at two different occasions brought two superpowers to their knees. In 1988 the then Soviet Union was forced to negotiate its exit in a deal with Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. And now repeating the history United States is facing the same fate of negotiating its honourable departure from Afghanistan with same actors—only seats have changed. Afghanistan during these four decades has been more than a misfortune for humankind.
A centrist government of Mohammad Dawood Khan in 1978 to communist regimes till 1992 Afghanistan entered into a new era of mujahideen. Somewhat softer President Burhanuddin Rabbani government lead to a hardliner Taliban. Rough estimates put about one and a half million deaths in Afghan war till 1992 when Soviets directly or indirectly called shots in Kabul. During this period millions of Afghans took shelter in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as refugees. Later in 2001, the direct intervention by American forces in Afghanistan brought the Afghan state of affairs to its worst situation.
Anyways, trying to be optimistic the recent direct talks between the Taliban representatives and the American diplomats have Kindled a ray of hope for peace in the region. The simultaneous talks between Taliban and other political stakeholders in Moscow have bolstered the efforts of peace in Afghanistan. Is it the better sense that prevailed with American strategists in Afghan conflict? Or tactical military pullout has become imperative for American policymakers in the region! Only time and history will reveal facts at the right time. But one thing is significant that an unyielding president and his administration in America has given peace (through negotiation) a chance that too with a group America was adamant to wipe out from the Afghan political scene. The Afghans, their terrain and especially the Afghan war taught many lessons to every military strategist in the world—that Afghan imbroglio is a very hard nut to crack and Afghans are ultimate warriors.
The world watches these talks in Qatar keenly. Because it is a unique experiment of dialogue between two entities which not only think differently but live and survive in an extremely dissimilar political and socioeconomic state of affairs. Undoubtedly, these talks are not that easy and can face many stalemates until the whole process reaches its logical conclusion. And God willing if these talks succeed in bringing peace in Afghanistan; a new way forward will be drawn for many other contagious issues in the world. The Taliban leadership equally need to be appreciated its initiative for direct talks with the Americans.
No group should feel disparaged instead at the end of the day both Americans and the Taliban will be written as winners in the annals of history. These talks are not only going to bring peace in Afghanistan but will convey some relief to Pakistan and Iran as well. The others in the region will have some respite from the conflicting situation prevailing for last more than four decades. What are the modalities of a peace deal in Afghanistan? What will be the outcome? How far both America and Taliban will respect and implement the peace deal? These are many questions that pop-up in every mind watching these talks. Let us hope for the best!
Whatever the outcome? These talks have opened a huge door at the end of an oblivious tunnel of stubbornness, ego and haughtiness. And have shown that even sworn enemies can sit across the table with ease and sort out their problems. It requires courage to be part of such engagement. Taliban more than Americans has come out of their stereotypical shell of being extremists and hardliners and shared table with a power that once outright rejected them as fierce and insensitive. Thus these talks and most probably their success will open new vistas of reconciliation for resolving many other issues that have not only endangered the world peace but bring shame to humankind. Issues like Palestine if approached the way Qatar talks are going on will carry social, economic and political boom to this region and millions of people can live without fear of war and destruction.
And at an optimistic note, if I am not read otherwise, these talks have certainly provided a cue to warring neighbours like India and Pakistan to blend their much talked about track two diplomatic discourses with the egoless approach. Sit across the table and talk sense for the best interest of their country and the people. If America and the Taliban living thousands of Kilometers away with no similarity in any aspect of their life can iron out their difference. Why India and Pakistan who only seven decades before were related through the same umbilical cord of culture and traditions cannot settle their issues. Time has come, all warring groups world over has to come forward and behave like the Taliban and act like Americans.
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