In Afghanistan, some see relief in U.S. strategy; others fear ‘more war, destruction.’
Ex-Afghan President Karzai fears ‘more war, destruction, loss of life’
KABUL, Afghanistan — Relieved Afghan officials on Tuesday welcomed President Donald Trump’s strategy announcement, citing his assurance of broad U.S. military, economic and political support despite a lack of specific pledges and praising his tough stance on Pakistan, which he denounced for offering safe haven to “terrorists.”
Soon after the speech, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was “grateful” to Trump “for this affirmation of support for our efforts to achieve self-reliance.” Kabul’s ambassador to Washington, Hamdullah Mohib, hailed it as “the first time a focus has been put on what Afghanistan must have to succeed.”
But as more Afghans digested Trump’s message, delivered at 5:30 a.m. here, that welcome became muddied with concern over whether the new U.S. policy was too militarized, why it did not lay out a path to peace with the Taliban, and whether Trump’s insistence on no more “nation-building” meant he would no longer help strengthen their struggling democratic system.
The Afghan conflict has been fought for 16 years by Afghan and foreign troops against Taliban insurgents and other groups, making it America’s longest war. Since most foreign forces withdrew in 2014, Taliban fighters have fought aggressively and now control districts in almost every province. American military officials have called the war a “stalemate.”
Among the most vociferous critics was former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who denounced Trump’s strategy as “a clear message of killing, killing, killing.”
“For us it means more war, destruction and loss of life,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “There was not a single word about the peace effort. It was all talk of war, and we have had enough of that.”
Other commentators thanked Trump for not abandoning the war, but they stressed that no U.S. military strategy can bring stability unless the Afghan government, weakened by divisions and political unrest, can perform better and institute reforms.
The Taliban responded to Trump with swift defiance. “It looks like America does not want to put an end to its longest war … and is still is arrogant in its might,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement. “As long as one American soldier remains on our soil, we will continue our jihad. … Afghanistan will become another graveyard for this superpower.”
In Pakistan, commentators called Trump’s description of their country as a terrorist haven a worrisome change from past U.S. policies, especially since he also urged Pakistan’s archrival India to increase its economic role in Afghanistan. Some expressed concern that he might slash foreign aid.
Sherry Rehman, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington, said it was “disturbing and disappointing to hear a repeat of Pakistan being pressured to do more to stabilize Afghanistan.”
There was general agreement among Afghans that Trump was right to set no deadlines on U.S. troop withdrawals. Former president Barack Obama’s policy to set deadlines was viewed here as a strategic error. There was also little debate here over how many U.S. troops Trump planned to send.
In contrast, the broader implications of Trump’s emphasis on an open-ended military policy seemed to worry a cross-section of Afghans, especially given his statements that ongoing support will be based on unnamed “conditions.”
On social media and in interviews, people pointed out that the Afghan government has been struggling with internal dissent, political unrest and an ailing economy as well as a relentless military conflict.
Ghulam Farooq, 23, a university student, said he hoped Trump’s new strategy would help defeat the Taliban and Islamic State insurgents, but that it was also important for the United States to “stand firm” on its commitment to support democracy after decades of conflict.
“The people of our country have become hostages in the hands of both terrorists and corrupt officials,” Farooq said. “All their promises for a better life, security, fighting corruption and creating jobs are just cheap talk. If the U.S. does not put pressure on this, it can bring down all our institutions.”