Counter Terrorism Operations in Afghanistan: Challenges and Prospects

General
 
A round table discussion was held at CLAWS on 05 May 2008 on “Counter Terrorism Operations in Afghanistan: Challenges and Prospects”. Former French Chief of Air Staff, General Richard Wolsztynski spoke about NATO’s experience in Afghanistan and the resurgence of Taliban. He also addressed the issue of future urban terrorism. 

NATO’s Experience in Afghanistan

The General dwelled on the following aspects:-

(a) Although NATO has authorised the use of force including air power  from  the very beginning of their intervention in Afghanistan, there has been  a lack of clear cut operational strategy in Afghanistan. In fact, no coherent  mission has been given to the forces at all.
(b) Intervention in Afghanistan has resulted in little development in that  country; but has resulted in more and more areas of cultivable land being  used to grow poppy for drug trafficking.
(c) In the initial stages there were no clear cut rules of engagement or  instructions to NATO soldiers in Afghanistan. This resulted in a number of  cases where collateral damage occurred.
(d) Initially, there was a lack of coordination between the US and NATO  forces which improved with passage of time.
(e) Intervention in Afghanistan has not stabilised the situation to a very  great  extent. The writ of the Afghan government does not exist outside  Kabul.
(f) Taliban has regrouped and re-organised itself in Pakistan. There  have been numerous desertions by soldiers of the Afghan Army who have  joined the Taliban.
(g) NATO being an amalgamation of forces from a number of European  countries, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the soldiers on the  ground motivated. Most countries are facing a problem of getting fresh  volunteers to join their respective Armies.
(h) The situation in Afghanistan is improving slowly. However, the original  cause of the problem in Afghanistan is not the military; hence, military  operations cannot be the solution for Afghanistan. Only sustained negotiations  and reconciliation at the political level will result in a solution.

Discussion

The following aspects emerged during the discussion:-

(a) There is a sense of apathy among the NATO troops being deployed in  a country far removed from their own.

(b) Little effort has been made at winning hearts and minds of the  local. In fact, it appears that little has been done by NATO forces in teaching their troops the local language.

(c) After the initial lack of instructions, elaborate rules of engagement have since been put in place. There is tight control over all operations and collateral damage is avoided. 

(d) It emerged that it is mandatory for the US and NATO forces to continue to stay in Afghanistan as their pulling out at this stage would lead to total anarchy in that country. However there was a counter view that India is perturbed with the fact that NATO has almost crept up to India’s borders.

(e) There is a strong case for India to be invited to send troops into  Afghanistan under a UN banner. This would also suit India’s strategic interests in the region.

(f) There is also a need for NATO countries to re-inforce their commitment in Afghanistan as all the poppy that is being grown there, ultimately finds its way to the drug cartels in Europe. 

Conclusion

The presentation and discussion that followed were very fruitful and open. The General was most candid and forthright in his talk and gave a number of insights with regard to the NATO experience in Afghanistan. Intervention in Afghanistan should be under the UN banner with NATO and like minded allies contributing to stabilise the situation.