Over the past few days the American crusaders have been bragging about the success of operation Moshtarak in the southern province of Helmand, Afghanistan. The operation is the biggest since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, and involves some 15000 soldiers functioning under the aegis of the American aggressors. The goal of the operation is to clear out the Taliban from the town of Marjah and then to keep hold of the territory through a combination of meek Afghan troops and support from the corrupt central government. The role of Karzai's sleazy government is to provide essential services to the local population and the Afghan troops are meant to keep the Taliban out- something which has eluded Karzia and his henchmen for the past nine years.

 These occupying crusaders expect will diminish the local Afghan support for the Taliban and serve as a template to be applied elsewhere in the country. Furthermore, the Americans are convinced that the approach would erode Taliban's effectiveness and force them make concession in any negotiations with the occupiers. This is as far as theory goes. The reality however, threatens to turn very ugly for the Americans and their allies.

Thousands of civilians have fled the area and those who were left behind were unscrupulously targeted by the crusaders. Last week a NATO airstrike slaughtered 12 civilians. Some western newspapers chose to cover up the ghastly crime by claiming that the rogue missile hit the correct target. Yet, none of these media outfits report the glaring fact that more and more afghan men who are not affiliated with Taliban choose stand and fight the crusaders in a desperate bid to protect their Islam, women and children.

Even those who are meant to be on the same side as the occupiers are not safe. A few days ago, a NATO airstrike killed several Afghan policemen. Zemarai Bashary, the Afghan interior ministry spokesman described the incident as a mistake. So if the government cannot stand up to the occupiers and defend those who are responsible for providing security to the local populace, then what chance do ordinary civilians have? All along the Americans have maintained the success of their plan depends on minimizing civilian casualties. And like their previous pseudo pledges the recent bouts of reassurance have turned out to be nothing more than lies.

Nor has the operation provided any long-term answers on what America intends to do with the Taliban that opt to disappear from the combat zone only to reappear somewhere else and cause havoc for the occupiers.

The operation also threatens to bring down the fragile crusaders alliance. Only this Saturday, the Dutch government collapsed over plans to extend its Afghan mission. This means that 2000 Dutch troops will ditch Afghanistan by the end of 2010 and return home defeated and humiliated. The move is a first for the NATO alliance and signals that more European governments are set to follow the Dutch. The Americans are furious and want the Europeans fill the void. "The one most important shortfall is in the category of trainers," said a senior US official. "We'd like them [Europeans] to step up. We'd like every ally to put up more trainers. This is critical." The whole episode threatens to splinter the crusader alliance and has ushered in a period of political uncertainty.

Hence, increasingly and like its previously failed strategies and ineffectual operations, America is relying more and more on the Pakistani army to play a significant role. This explains why India has relented to American pressure and offered talks with Pakistan to resolve bilateral issues- an euphuism for the resolution of Kashmir.  This America hopes will eventually lead to the redeployment of Pakistani soldiers from the border with India to the border with Afghanistan. America has also released overdue payments from the coalition support fund. In return, Pakistan apprehended Mullah Baradar-number 2 in the Afghan Taliban leadership-but is refusing to hand him over to the CIA.  All of this appears to indicate that the Pakistani leadership is haggling with America for a few measly dollars. But why bargain with a losing side?

Anyone with a modicum of common sense can see that America is facing a catastrophic defeat in Afghanistan.  If the Pakistani army switched sides, Pakistan could make America's defeat a reality and end the crusader occupation of Afghanistan and their savagery in the tribal areas.  The practical way to achieve this result is for the Muslims of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work for the re-establishment of the Caliphate. The Caliphate will unite the Pakistan army and Pushtun resistance into a powerful force and then oust the crusaders from the region.

Abid Mustafa

Feb 21 2010