With reference to an article appearing today in your newspaper on the above topic by Michael Scheuer, I would like to put across the following comments:
The writer has brought out good points regarding the endgame in Afghanistan. He rightly says that the USA and the NATO allies went terribly wrong in not correctly analysing the pros and cons of the war. The Obama Administration with it’s mindset of absolute power were handed down the incorrect assessment of the forces operating in Afghanistan, who had already defeated Russia.
Now they want to leave Afghanistan under the pressure of US public opinion, rising cost of war and rising death toll. Obama is more worried about his popularity for the coming Presidential Elections in 2012. In a hurry, he is gambling like a losing gambler. He ordered for the Osama raid on 2 May and gained some popularity in the US. But at the same time he has almost lost an ally in Pakistan that has suffered over 30,000. Some people believe that if Pakistan decides to cut off NATO’s supply line and deny them the bases for operating drones, probably the game may be over sooner than expected.
In modern day warfare, wars cannot be won by sophisticated technology alone. The people’s faith and the right cause is a necessity. The US lacks both attributes in Afghanistan.
RASHID MAQSOOD
Lahore
