US isolates itself

• And creates more troubles in Afghanistan

What happed at the UNGA was a collective act of defiance towards Washington. By recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel Trump administration departed from a 50-year old international consensus on Jerusalem’s status. Many Security Council resolutions since then, which have the force of international law, have warned that Jerusalem’s status is unresolved, that claims of sovereignty by Israel are invalid and that the issue must be settled in negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. Trump’s Israel policy would further complicate prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US has isolated itself not only from the Muslim majority countries but also close European allies. The threats of stopping US aid have failed to work. The resolution which was passed by an overwhelming majority was drafted by Egypt and seconded by Pakistan. Major aid receiving countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and a close ally like Jordan also voted against the US stand. The Gulf states which have developed close ties with the US defied Trump’s bullying. India, Trumps’ new found strategic ally with a fairly large Muslim population, also supported the anti-Trump alliance.

Trump’s stand has not only annoyed the overwhelming majority of the UN member countries but also justice loving people all over the world. What could be dangerous is that Trump has handed over a new issue to the TTP, al Qaeda and IS to recruit fresh volunteers to target American interests. The attempts to wean away those attracted to militant causes and mainstream those willing to change would suffer a setback.

Despite chest thumping by US generals in Afghanistan, no US dignitary feels safe while visiting Kabul. Secretary of State Tillerson held talks with the Afghan government leadership in a secure room at US controlled Bagram airbase. Vice President Pence reached Kabul from Bagram on helicopter secretly in near total darkness to meet Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. It would not help the US to use threatening tone towards Pakistan which is doing all it can to bring peace in Afghanistan including tripartite talks arranged by China between Pakistan and Aghanistan.