The dangers of short-sighted policies in Afghanistan -- Nadir Naim

It does not matter whether the insurgency is waving the black flags of ISIL or the white flags of the Taliban.

As the trial of 49 suspects charged with the brutal mob killing of an Afghan woman gets under way in Kabul, the nation is plunged into collective soul searching.

Twenty-seven-year-old Farkhunda was lynched on March 19, two days before the Afghan New Year (Nowruz). The tragic incident not only captured the attention of the international media, but it made a huge impact on Afghans both within and outside of Afghanistan.

"Her attackers were not common criminals, nor a bunch of fanatic religious villagers. Most of them seem to be urbanite, well-groomed men in their 20s. They were born and raised in war. Their fathers had most probably lived most of their lives in war. The culture of violence, instilled over three decades, continues to be passed on to the young generation," wrote Helena Malikyar, an Afghan journalist.

From that first day of Spring, Afghans have seen several more bloody attacks across the country, with a sharp increase in incidents involving innocent travellers on the main highways being ordered off coaches at gunpoint by masked men and being taken as hostages or killed on the spot.

Last month, the Taliban announced what it called its "Spring Offensive", with a rocket attack on a US base outside Kabul.  But the most significant attack so far this new year took place on April 18 in the city of Jalalabad. It was significant not only because of the extensive number of people that it killed and injured but because it was also claimed as ISIL's first attack in Afghanistan.

Most Afghans who know their history would argue that the idea of a full-fledged radical ideology would never succeed in our country. Even the Taliban who were to some extent "homegrown" never quite managed to rule the entire country with their radical approach.

The real danger, however, is apparent when looking at the broader picture. Afghanistan has always been at the crossroads of Asia. Our country's strategic geopolitical position makes it a desirable location and sacrificial lamb for any ambitious political power in this region wishing to have a presence here.

The current economic downturn, due to the drying up of aid money and little or no economic or job opportunities for the youth in the more volatile provinces, makes recruitment to their cause easy and convenient. ISIL would not find it difficult to recruit local fighters because they have the budget to finance their war.

Finally, unlike Iraq, the natural terrain of Afghanistan makes it a good base for guerrilla groups to operate from, so much so that it became the choice of al-Qaeda almost two decades ago.

I believe that a blanket denial of this new threat, or limiting ourselves to questioning the reason for its presence in Afghanistan, would be short sightedness on the part of the new Afghan government, our NATO partners and regional players. 

What matters is not whether the insurgency waves the black flags of ISIL or the white flags of the Taliban, but the urgent necessity for a winning strategy to combat these growing threats.

Afghanistan must not be permitted to descend back into chaos as it did after the Soviet Union's withdrawal in the late 1980s - or the crucible of death that Iraq has become in the wake of the US troops' departure.  Read More at Aljazeera

The dangers of short-sighted policies in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's populist prince - Al Jazeera English

Sardar Nadir Naim | فیس‌بوک‬  - read more