Searching for solutions
GEN Ashfaq Kayani is spot on in his assessment that the Afghan insurgency cannot be overcome through military means alone. In a meeting with Nato’s defence committee in Brussels, Pakistan’s army chief stressed the need to engage the people living on both sides of the Durand Line and earn their support in the war against militancy. In other words, it is critical to win hearts and minds and present viable alternatives to local tribesmen whose lives have been shattered by years of fighting. Without discarding the military option, Gen Kayani sought a “comprehensive approach” underpinned by an understanding of geography, culture and history. In keeping with the current mood, the Nato defence chiefs concurred with Gen Kayani that there is “no military solution in Afghanistan”.
This meeting of minds is not surprising given that American military commanders as well as officials in Washington, Islamabad and Kabul have been saying as much for quite some time. Indeed, there has been talk of a negotiated settlement that would make the Taliban part of the set-up in Kabul. Besides the growing realisation that the Taliban may not be beatable in the theatre of war in its current form, it is also thought there are fissures within the ranks of the militants where the question of negotiations is concerned. The time could be right to enlist the support of disgruntled or “opportunistic” commanders, thereby weakening the insurgency. Where all else has failed there is clearly no harm in trying a new approach, for ‘the Taliban’ are anything but a cohesive group operating under a unified command. The downside is that offers of talks may be seen by the militants as a sign of the enemy’s weakness, prompting even more audacious attacks in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Despite all the talk of dialogue, it is clear that there is currently no intention in any quarter of easing the military pressure on the Taliban. This makes sense, for any understanding with the militants must be reached from a position of strength. The need of the hour is for improved tripartite coordination between the coalition forces and Pakistani and Afghan security agencies. The commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan is “cautiously optimistic” about what he perceives to be Pakistan’s advances in forcing militants to flee to Afghanistan where they would be engaged by US forces. Problems in Pakistan and Afghanistan have repercussions further afield and it needs to be recognised that other regional actors such as Iran, India, China and perhaps even Russia have a role to play in the quest for peace. This needs to be explored further but real progress will remain elusive if the US keeps sending mixed signals, talking of winning hearts and minds and bombing Pakistani territory at the same time.
Talibanisation of youth
WITH the Taliban expanding their reach inside Pakistan, it is becoming amply clear that the menace of radicalisation that leads to religious militancy must be targeted at the roots. In this context, a recent study authored by a Pakistani scholar and published by the Washington-based Brookings Institution points out there are high chances of ‘youth radicalisation’ in the country. Indeed, it is a process already under way as the alarming decline in socio-economic conditions continues unabated giving rise to new frustrations every day. Social and economic inequities, limited access to education and other basic facilities, unemployment and growing poverty have combined to produce an atmosphere of despair in which the youth, impressionable and deprived of opportunities, are an easy prey for those seeking to propagate their ideological agendas. In terms of numbers alone, there are plenty of young victims — especially males — to choose from. In a population of 160 million people, about 75 million are 24 years or below — the formative period of life when a person’s worldview is shaped. With a population growth rate of almost two per cent, the coming years will see youth numbers grow. It will be an explosive situation if the currently poor socio-economic conditions remain the same or decline further.
Clearly, the threat of youth radicalisation must be warded off. The key lies in greater employment opportunities and poverty reduction — but most importantly, in better education content, access and facilities to empower the youth in a positive way and liberate young minds. A predisposition to extremism already exists in the way we as a society tend not to restrict religion to our private lives but allow it to govern — and thus limit — our opinions on a variety of subjects. Unfortunately, with the madressah system going strong — and likely to exert even greater influence on young minds if public-sector schooling continues to decline and private education becomes unaffordable — there is a very real danger that ultra religious tendencies among the youth will receive a boost. This, in turn, will lead to the formation of dogmatic mindsets at a considerable distance from the pillars of logic, reason and humanism, and unable to tolerate divergent opinions. Years of wrong political moves might have made the country a breeding ground for militancy, but things need not have been so bad had we followed sound education policies. It is imperative to make corrections to the system before extremism strikes deeper roots.
Iran’s unsatisfactory performance
IN its latest report on Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed reservations about Iran’s lack of cooperation in supplying the necessary information regarding its atomic programme. The IAEA concedes that there had been no change in the use of the country’s declared nuclear material, but it is not too pleased with the pace of progress in the investigations. If Iran’s assertions that it is developing nuclear fuel for civilian purposes are correct then there is no reason why it should delay such information or withhold it. Not everyone in the international community may be convinced that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon. In fact, according to a report prepared by the US intelligence last year, Iran had given up plans of developing a nuclear bomb in 2003. However, its reluctance to provide the IAEA with data on how it obtained the uranium metal document that outlines technologies linked to the manufacture of nuclear arms components, and its silence on other concerns is making the West edgy. Moreover, Iran has carried on with uranium enrichment. Under the NPT, Iran is within its rights to develop its nuclear resources for civilian use. But with the current international unease — Iran has paid the price of three sets of UN sanctions for this — over its nuclear programme, Tehran would be well-advised to put at rest all IAEA concerns by providing the necessary information.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Barack Obama has said that Iran’s nuclear programme was “unacceptable”, so a different approach in Washington towards Tehran after the new administration takes over is in doubt. This is not a good omen for a thaw in US-Iran relations which is essential if the two countries are to address each other’s concerns and attempt to resolve them. Israel, with its constant hints about striking Iran’s nuclear targets, is not helping matters either and only aggravating tensions. In fact, it would be an unwise move for the next US government to isolate Iran further. Given its strategic importance and mineral wealth, there are many who oppose further sanctions on Iran or unilateral actions taken against it. In such an atmosphere, not meeting Iran halfway can only make Tehran’s stance on the nuclear issue more obdurate.
OTHER VOICES - Pushto Press
Al Qaeda’s sanctuaries
Tolafghan, Kabul
SEVERAL reports have been published with respect to Al Qaeda’s retreat and weaknesses in the recent past. These reports have been talked about in the press on the basis of CIA chief Gen Michael Hayden’s statement in which he has separated Al Qaeda from Osama bin Laden.
He has said that the arrest of bin Laden is one of the main priorities of the CIA…. Gen Hayden is of the view that the Iraqi faction of Al Qaeda is now separate and that the Arab governments have effectively broken Al Qaeda in the Arab peninsula. Adding to his comments, Hayden says that the sanctuary of Al Qaeda in the tribal regions seems to be one of the reasons why it can still operate.
The statement by Gen Hayden has come at a time when the war on Al Qaeda and the unknown places where from Al Qaeda launches its attacks have raised concern in the international community. The US and the UK are trying to invigorate their war on Al Qaeda. In this regard, the British prime minister, Gordon Brown, has said that the international community has to contribute its due share in the war on Al Qaeda to establish a just and strong international political system….
It is a matter of fact that the new zeal of the US and the UK governments against Al Qaeda and extremism has raised the hopes of the people of Afghanistan. The president-elect of the US has already indicated his administration will review the war on terror strategy. The new strategy will be adopted as soon as the new president takes oath.
It is because of this reason that the people of Afghanistan have attached hopes to the new strategy which they think will help them overcome terror in their country. The UK and the US government are now clear that the sanctuaries of terror lie outside Afghanistan….
The international community had forgotten the fact that until terrorists are defeated in their sanctuaries they will remain a threat to both Afghanistan and the West. The present realisation on the part of the international community will ultimately bring positive results in the fight against terror.
In addition to this the international community has to become serious regarding the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan as criminal gangs, warlords and kidnappers have started terrorising the people of Afghanistan with renewed vigour. — (Nov 18)
— Selected and translated by Khadim Hussain.
Social service in Islam
SOCIETY, since its inception, has witnessed a never-ending tussle between the rich and the poor. It has looked upon misuse of power and suppression of the weak with an air of cynicism and helplessness.
However, amidst this resignation, some step forward to work for the economic, social and emotional wellbeing of the less privileged. Social service is a realisation that a certain situation or practice is detrimental to the interest of a particular class of people and will have serious repercussions on society as a whole; the negative impact can be avoided by acting collectively.
Social service involves not only monetary help but also the creation of opportunities for the uplift and betterment of a people, particularly the needy. It is also an effort to discourage malpractices. Social service has sound roots in Islamic injunctions:
“Certainly, We created Man in the best mould. Then We [also] render him the lowest of the low, except those who believe and do good…” (95: 4-6) The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “You shall not enter Paradise until you have faith; and you cannot attain faith until you love one another. Have compassion on those who are on earth and He in heavens will have compassion on you. God will show no compassion to one who shows no compassion towards fellow human beings.”
Monetary help is one of the most important components of social service. Philanthropy in Islam is of two kinds in the main: obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory philanthropy consists of Zakat and Fitra; voluntary philanthropy includes Sadqah and Waqf; “…But righteous is he who believes…and gives of his wealth, for love of Him, to kinfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and to those who ask and sets slaves free…and pays Zakat…” (2: 177) (See also 3: 91).
Zakat is a share of wealth that is obligatory upon a Muslim to give to fixed categories of beneficiaries if the value of his assets is more than the specified limit. Islam has specified the persons to whom Zakat is payable: “(Zakat) charity is only for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are made to incline to (truth), and (to free) the captives, and those in debt, and in the way of Allah… for the wayfarer…” (9: 60). While only Muslims must pay Zakat, there’s no bar on its distribution among needy non-Muslims. In Islamic history we have seen its collection and distribution by the state.
The Prophet said, “Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. Man will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that my so-and-so servant (man) was ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? [Then Allah will say] I asked you for food and you fed Me not. Man will reply: …and how should I feed You? He will say: My so-and-so servant asked you for food and you fed him not. Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward of doing so) with Me..?”
Thus the long hadith goes on outlining the various aspects of social service, and is a testimony that Islam enjoins service and kindness to fellow human beings. “To orphans restore their property (when they reach their age), not substitute (your) worthless things for their good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own…” (04: 02) (See also 2: 220). The Prophet said, “Those striving to help widows and the poor are like those striving in the way of Allah.”
According to another hadith, the Prophet narrated: “While a man was on his way, he found a thorny branch on the way and removed it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him [his sins].” Islam enjoins service to the people, be it ever so modest. The Prophet said that whosoever removes a worldly grief of a believer, Allah will remove from him one grief on the Day of Judgment. Whoever alleviates (the lot of) a needy person, Allah will alleviate (his lot) in this world and the next… Allah will aid His servant so long as the servant aids his fellow brother…
The Quran and the traditions of the Prophet are replete with such injunctions adjoining social service.
Obama can change the game
US president-elect Barack Obama inherits the in-box from hell, but an all-points crisis like the present one also creates opportunities for radical change that do not exist in more normal times.
As Rahm Emanuel, his newly appointed chief of staff, put it: “Never waste a crisis.” Is Obama clever enough and radical enough to seize those opportunities?
For example, he has promised to shut down the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. While he's at it, why not hand the whole US military base at Guantanamo back to the Cubans?
Guantanamo has absolutely no military purpose; Washington has only hung on to it for all these decades to annoy the Cuban regime. If the US wanted to bomb Cuba, it would do it from Florida. If it wanted to invade, it would land Marines on beaches elsewhere, not march them into the teeth of the Cuban defences around Guantanamo.
Besides, the goal should not be to fight the Cuban Communist regime, but to smother it with love. After half a century in power the Castro brothers are nearing the end of the road. What better way to signal the end of the confrontation with the United States that has kept the Communists in power for so long than to evacuate the only foreign military base on Cuban territory?
In normal times, a decision to pull out of Guantanamo would stir up a months-long storm in the US media. Right now, it would be a two-day story that cost Obama almost no political capital. Opportunities for this sort of low-cost action that clears old obstacles away now abound, and it would be a shame to miss them. Another example. Obama plans to cancel most of President Bush's executive orders, including the one that overruled California's decision to impose stricter emissions standards on automobiles. Why not accompany that with a federal commitment to an even higher standard — and make it a condition of the forthcoming bail-out of the Big Three US auto-makers that they meet that standard in all the cars they produce within three years?
They'll whine, of course, but if Toyota can do it, why can't they? Sympathy for the Three Dinosaurs is very limited at the moment, so now is the time to act.
The century-long preeminence of the United States as the economic superpower was bound to decline gradually as the Asian giants industrialised, but the financial collapse risks turning that into a steep and irreversible fall. Even the US dollar could lose its place as the global reserve currency. To limit the damage, Obama has to play a poor hand very well.
He has implicit permission from the financial gurus to run even bigger deficits over the next couple of years than the Bush administration did. That will let him do some repair work on the American social fabric as well as just bailing out failing businesses and jobless people. But rebuilding America's reputation abroad will take more than money.
Current developments in Iraq allow Obama an easy and early exit from that country, but his statements on Afghanistan and Pakistan suggest that he is still trapped in the “war on terror” paradigm. In truth, US military domination of the Middle Eastern region is finished, but the hardest thing is just to walk away from the region and accept that changes will occur there. He may lack the knowledge and the wisdom to do that.
If he can untie that albatross from around America's neck, however, he stands a fair chance of gaining a real leadership role in international affairs. Paradoxically, by turning into a financial morass that no one can ignore, the United States has regained its centrality in world affairs, and Obama can use that to do big things elsewhere if he is so inclined. The obvious place to begin is in the area where the United States has done the most damage by its obstructionist policies under President Bush: climate change.
If he takes leadership on that issue, avoids disaster in the Middle East, and restores faith in the US financial system, Obama can put the country back on its previous glide-path of gentle and purely relative decline in the great-power pecking order. That is his most urgent task, because the risk of a run on the US dollar and an abrupt and precipitous fall in American prestige and power still persists. But at least the economic crisis gives him unprecedented freedom of action, if he chooses to use it.
— Copyright Gwynne Dyer