EINSTEIN once said “insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.” This quote applies perfectly to Donald Trump’s new Afghan policy. Increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan to win the war is absolute insanity.

Over 100,000 US troops could not win the war. How can a few thousand more achieve this Herculean task? The only option left to resolve this quagmire is to re-start the dialogue process with the Taliban.

Moreover, making Pakistan a scapegoat for US failures is not in America’s long-term interests. This only exacerbates the already fragile situation in Afghanistan. One thing is for sure, --peace cannot be achieved in Afghanistan without Pakistan’s support. It’s only a jaundice approach to think that India could replace Pakistan and play a more comprehensive role in Afghanistan.

If America really wants peace in Afghanistan, it should acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts and contribution in the war against terrorism and reinvigorate the peace talks with the Taliban.

It is futile to expect Pakistan to act against its national interests. The terms of our relationship with the US should be reconstructed. It is in the interest of both countries to build their relationship on mutual respect for each other.

Agha Shahriyar Khan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2017