Afghanistan: Foreign Relations - Research Paper Example

Afghanistan: Foreign Relations In recent years, Afghanistan has become infamous for being one of the many operating and training grounds for the forces of Islamic jihad. This reputation is further aggravated by the Taliban terrorists, especially considering how 75-80% of Afghan civilian casualties have resulted from their actions (Skaine, 2009). This being the case, one would expect Afghanistan to have problems relating to relations with other countries. As it turns out, however, this is not exactly the case, with Afghanistan actually having good diplomatic ties with its neighbors. It fares particularly well with its neighbors such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Kazakhstan, which is relatively unsurprising given that all these countries have a common denominator in their being predominantly Islamic. As such, they share a common culture and a common faith that brings them together, making such closeness between them a more or less foregone conclusion. More surprising, however, is that it also has diplomatic ties with countries such as China, Canada, Japan, Russia and the United States of America. All of these are highly developed and urbanized countries – a stark contrast to the still developing nation of Afghanistan. That Russia is among these countries would not be much of a surprise considering Afghanistan’s past as a protectorate of the Soviet Union. However, the last of these is especially shocking given the War on Terror, and in light of Afghanistan’s infamy as a hotbed for Muslim terrorists. This study shall thus focus on the foreign relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the United States. Through this, it shall be made clear that, in spite of whatever reputation Afghanistan may have as the home of the Taliban, it is still very much capable of earning respect from the international community. Afghanistan and Pakistan The most appropriate way to describe the diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be to describe it as a love-hate relationship (Hasnat, 2009). These two nations are known to disagree especially often despite such strong ties between them. If anything, their constant disagreements may even be the reason behind their close relationship, given how there are those who go so far as to describe the two states as being ‘inseparable’. Such a description results not only from their historical and cultural ties – among other things – but also on their mutual dependence with respect to economic growth and survival (Muzhary, 2010). On the other hand, they still come into conflict over certain issues, the most glaring being the Durrand Line demarcating the international border separating them (Grare, 2006). Furthermore, each has slung the occasional accusation against the other of harboring terrorists (Tang, 2006), most notably the aforementioned Taliban that continues to wreak havoc in both countries. Such back-and-forth accusations have resulted in light skirmishes, and while minimal casualties have resulted, these are but par the course between the two countries. The Taliban in particular has been known for its indiscriminate operation in both countries; on some level, the Afghan government likely knows full well that the idea of the Pakistani government harboring them is absurd. Naturally, said terrorists have taken note of this trend, such that insurgents have made a habit of running back and forth across the border between both countries to frustrate pursuers. Another sensitive point between these nations is the growing influence exerted by India on Afghanistan, the former being one of Pakistan’s bitter rivals in the international arena. Surprisingly, India is the biggest regional benefactor to the beleaguered Afghanistan, having pledged as much as $2 billion to help it get back on its feet. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the nation of Afghanistan getting caught in the middle of the rivalry existing between India and Pakistan, much to the detriment of everyone involved. Regardless, the ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain relatively strong. Where they bicker and disagree with each other on a regular basis, outside factors remain unsuccessful in convincing each to turn against the other. While Afghanistan may accuse Pakistan of harboring terrorists, it does not tolerate the same accusations when made by other parties. Afghanistan and the United States While disagreements occur between Afghanistan and Pakistan on a regular basis, most will not be surprised to learn that they remain strongly bonded even to this very day. Aside from their mutual dependence on one another on economic survival, the culture and faith shared between the two countries – both of which have adopted Islam as their official state religion – closely ties them together. Thus, despite the occasional bellicose statement issued towards the other, it is but to be expected that they seem unlikely to actually war with each other. However, the same cannot be said for the diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and the USA. Indeed, it seems somewhat incredible that the United States would associate with the country known not only as the home of the Taliban, but also as the main training ground for al-Qaeda. In light of the turbulent history these two nations have with each other, one might expect them to meet face to face in the theater of war, rather than on opposite ends of a table. Yet, incredibly, the two countries exhibit strong diplomatic ties despite that history, as exhibited by how the US Army is poised to establish a stronger military presence in Afghanistan, the better to work with its local counterparts (Rosemberg and Bowley, 2012). Such increased military presence is intended to serve a number of purposes. First, the US Army is put in a position to train directly with their Afghan counterparts, who thus become better prepared to take on insurgents and finally neutralize them. Not only that, the armed forces of these two nations are also in a better position to provide direct assistance to each other in operations against the Taliban especially. Afghan-US ties, already strong to begin with, have only been strengthened further by the recent liquidation of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden (Landler, 2012). In fact, a partnership agreement was signed by US and Afghan presidents Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai, providing an official framework to the relationship between the two countries following the Afghanistan war. Said agreement, officially entitled the “Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America”, is already in force and effect as of July 4, 2012 (Sweet, 2012). Such is a far cry from the state in which the two countries existed during the Cold War, where it should be recalled that the Afghan government at the time was being backed by the Soviet Union. The two countries never actually went into armed conflict with each other, but tensions were nevertheless running high as the US tried to maintain diplomatic ties with a country backed by its adversary. Fortunately, thanks to efforts from both countries, this divide was eventually overcome. Synthesis / Conclusion It should be pointed out that the US and Pakistan both had their own reasons for establishing and maintaining diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, just as it also has its own motives for its continued cooperation. As already noted, Afghanistan and Pakistan are mutually dependent on each other for continued economic growth and survival, made easier by the common ties between their peoples. The US, likewise, has its own motives for maintaining Afghanistan as an ally. That being said, the fact that Afghanistan has maintained ties with these countries for so long should already count for something on its own. Again, the close relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan should come as no surprise to anyone, given the threefold dimensions of their mutual dependence: the political, economic and cultural relations. First of all, as already mentioned, the topography of the area makes it easier for terrorists such as the Taliban to run wild in both countries, necessitating cooperation between them in order to combat the common enemy. This same factor also necessitates that both countries cooperate with each other in order to do good business, which is essential to their survival. Finally, the common denominator of these countries in the form of their common faith and culture also goes a long way in ensuring their understanding of one another. Likewise, the US also has its own reasons for supporting Afghanistan, such as their shared goal of wiping out the terrorists operating around and within the latter’s territory. Afghanistan also serves as the ‘eyes’ of the US as to the goings-on in the region, which is compensated in the form of financial aid and training for its armed forces. Ultimately, all parties involved stand to benefit from the deal, and on so many levels. In light of all that has been said, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is indeed worthy of respect from the international community. Despite being hounded by its arguably undeserved reputation as the Mecca for Islamic terrorists, it has nevertheless proven itself a respectable nation by working hard to shed that image. References Grare, F. (2006) "Carnegie Papers – Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations in the Post-9/11 Era". Hasnat, S. F. (2009) "Pakistan & Afghanistan: Domestic Pressures and Regional Threats" in Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 63, Fall/Winter 2009, pp. 141–55, Columbia University Landler, M. (2012) "Obama Signs Pact in Kabul, Turning Page in Afghan War". The New York Times. Muzhary, F. (2010) "Landmark trade pact inked with Pakistan". Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Rosemberg, M. and Bowley, G. (2012) "U.S. Grants Special Ally Status to Afghans, Easing Fears of Abandonment". The New York Times. Skaine, R. (2009). Women of Afghanistan in the Post-Taliban Era: How Lives Have Changed and Where They Stand Today. McFarland Sweet, L. (2012). "U.S.-Afgan strategic agreement: Roadmap to Chicago NATO Summit. Briefing transcript". Chicago Sun-Times Tang, A. (2007) "Iran Forcibly Deports 100,000 Afghans", Washington Post Read More