We can not put blame on only one country. Each states has its share to the destruction of Afghanistan which eventually has affected Pakistan. The point to ponder is the interest of actors involved in this great game. The great game of 19th century, between Tsarist Russia and British India, was competition over access to the riches of India, where as the New Great game is about the spoils of this whole region. At present there are different actors having their own set rules for extending their influence. The US has taken over the role of Britain, while Russia is still there to impose its will, one way or the other, along with China, Iran and India and of course, not to ignore Pakistan. For more than 70 years of Soviet rule, the region around the Caspian sea was isolated from the west and it was accessed only after the Soviet collapse in 1992. The present NEW GREAT GAME focuses on the Caspian energy reserves, i.e. oil and gas, both on its shore and its bottom. Having said that, Afghan campaign is only an episode of , however, an important one and in a much larger struggle, the NEW GREAT GAME.
While acknowledging Pakistan’s fear on its Eastern as well as Western border, Pakistan is to be blamed for the chaos and instability in Afghanistan. It is because of its self created ‘anxiety' on its east that led to the strategic depth thinking in policy ( military estb) circles. During Cold war, Pakistan became pawn, on purpose , because of the above mentioned reason and after 9/11 it wants to ensure that its influence grows stronger than that of India knowing the history of acrimonious relationship between itself and Afghanistan.
Religion, during Cold war was manipulated not only by American but Pakistan also as a pretext for the attainment of their own objectives, but saying that Pakistan is solely responsible for eliminating secular forces or giving rise to religious extremism in Afghanistan would be somewhat subjective. Pakistan, indeed has its share in mushrooming these elements but the main instigators been USA and its CIA. Here, I would suggest going through “the Reagan administration’s foreign policy: Facts and Judgement of the International Tribunal” Ed. Hans Koechler, for a better understanding of the subject.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
