Articles of the year 2020
Published on March 04th, 2020
The Afghan American accord should be carefully examined for the realities that are now admitted facts.The Afghans have successfully defeated the major powers namely, Russia and US. Remarkably the Afghans fought alone, and their only allies were their indomitable spirit and the terrain.
Their Islamic belief set aside Ashraf Ghani who is being cast as a non believer. The military success of the Taliban can be equated to the Vietnamese defeat of the mighty US where every weapon, except nuclear was used in Vietnam included phosphorous bombs. The use of which had been banned since 1940.
The lasting image of US personnel scrambling to board the US helicopter at the US Embassy to board the last flight was their most humiliating moment. Matched only by President Trump begging for safe conduct for his last 5000 troops out of Afghanistan. Gone were the bravado and the arrogance. Even Imran Khan was requested to prevail upon Taliban. And the humiliation of this request to Imran Khan in the White House was something that will be remembered forever. Custer’s last stand, Vietnam and Afghanistan…
Unfortunately Mr.Modi thinking he has rich and powerful friends may have convinced him that he is indeed as rich and powerful. The new lineup with the Taliban now firmly in control means the ragtag collection which supports Ashraf Ghani will soon be routed. These are brigands and may be good fighters but will be no match for the Taliban.
They have been corrupted by American dollars and may wish to lead the easy life in more comfortable parts of the world. They have considerable wealth stashed abroad that can give them a new and a very comfortable life.
However, the big danger is that of Mr.Modi’s ego, which has ballooned beyond his wildest expectations in winning the prime minister ship of India that has cast him as a player on the world stage. The trip from Chai-wala to Prime Minister is truly a fantasy to reality.
Unfortunately, this position does not entitle him to don the armor of a Conquistador. A Napoleon he is not. He has a brilliant team of businessmen backing him he should focus and lead them to more victories on the economic front. India has the economic ability, personnel and management to become the world economic power. His is not a totalitarian regime like China that lifted 300 million people out of poverty in a scant 10 years. A truly remarkable achievement in the history of this world.
The free wheeling culture of a open society will not allow him this latitude. Modi cannot possibly bring about a Saffron revolution. Russia and China owe their success to the creation of mono party states after hundreds of millions of people and generations that were exterminated.
Stalin and Chairman Mao were responsible. Modi is neither Joseph Stalin nor Mao Zedong. The 1 billion poor of India are a reality and cannot be wished away. Mr. Modi in becoming Prime Minister of India has unleashed his RSS on the Muslim minority. Next in line are the Christians and Sikhs who fear their turn as non Hindu minorities.
The most potent weapon that Modi will face is the huge mass of intellectuals that will refuse to give up their principles. They have honed their writings and their poetry in defense of their intellect. Their Nobel prizes are a testament to this excellence. Their thinkers are amongst the greatest producers in the last century.
Modi will do well to consider the high level of intellectual ability that he is about to challenge. The fatal flaw in Modi’s thinking is the real makeup of his political party, which is deeply entangled, in which corruption is endemic and is bound to fail.
Stalin and Mao had no such detractors. For Imran Khan the Afghan treaty is a victory for his beliefs including his honesty.
This will bring tremors throughout the political establishment of Pakistan where corruption of the leadership will be pointed out at every stage. The job for Imran is to root out the corrupt and bring Rana Sana Ullah and everyone one to task can now be much easier. Also, the natural alliance of the Taliban to Imran will make any military move by Modi a highly dangerous mistake.
Modi will do well by putting on his peace cap and silence the drums of war.