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NEWS > EVERYONE ELSE > AFGHANISTAN TO USE U.S. FORCES TO BACK PAKISTAN IN WAR WITH U.S.
AFGHANISTAN TO USE U.S. FORCES TO BACK PAKISTAN IN WAR WITH U.S.
October 23 2011
Kabul ,Afghanistan – Things may be better in Afghanistan than they were a few years ago, perhaps better than they have been in decades, but better in Afghanistan is a relative term. The country is still at war, not as much war as usual, but still at war and tensions throughout the region have continued to fluctuate, particularly between their biggest neighbour and their biggest benefactor.
That conflict, the growing rift between the U.S. and Pakistan, is likely to be a major factor in determining the future of the country and the region as a whole, leaving Afghanistan in a tough position. No one will doubt that the country has been improved as a result of the U.S. war in many ways, but they will have to live beside Pakistan forever, leaving them with a tough decision on who back should a war, as unlikely as that might be, break out between the two countries.
In a speech in Pakistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai stated very clearly that in such a situation that his country would support their neighbour and, if necessary, use their own forces to fight the United States. Of course much of Afghanistan’s army is the U.S. army so it’s not exactly clear who they would be fighting and with what they would be doing it.
“God forbid, if ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan. If Pakistan is attacked and if the people of Pakistan needs Afghanistan's help, Afghanistan will be there with you,” Karzai said in an interview on Pakistani television.
The two nations have been at odds since the killing of Osama bin Laden and recent efforts to destroy the Haqqani network inside Pakistan.
U.S. forces are scheduled to leave the country sometime next year, though such a plan could be pushed should a conflict erupt. It’s not clear how much control the Afghan government would have over U.S. soldiers and assets.
“That would be a worst case scenario, a war between Pakistan and the U.S. I doubt very much that it will get to that level, simply because both countries would have far too much to lose. Still, the tensions are high and it sounds like the drums of war, even if they are only the drums of irritation,” said Scrape TV International analyst Gustav Hander. “In that event, all sides would need to choose where they stand and it appears that the Afghans have chosen. It does seem a little disloyal but it’s not like they can pick and move away from Pakistan. I mean even if you could theoretically do that, there is no way Afghanistan would have the money to move their entire country. That’s an expensive proposition.”
It’s not clear where Afghanistan would move if that became a necessity, having built up an enemy like Pakistan.
“They have made the smart choice, a difficult one no doubt, but a smart one. Should a war erupt the only issue is what Afghanistan can contribute aside from moral support. They do have a military of sorts but most of that simply wouldn’t be of use. I doubt very much that U.S. forces would ally themselves against their own country so if Karzai is betting on that he may be in for a shock,” continued Hander. “I think that most U.S. soldiers would not be inclined to side with the Afghans in a major war against their own country and that would seriously disrupt their ability to wage any kind of conflict against them. I mean they can take sides but their ability actually help will be limited.”
Other military forces in Afghanistan are also considered unlikely candidates to fight against the U.S. for Afghanistan.
Emil Uliya, International Correspondent
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