The Geopolitics Of Peace Process: A Case Study Of Post 9/11 Afghanistan

Abstract

Peace talks are indefinable for decades. For one reason or another, Afghanistan has, since long, been a center of power politics between the two superpowers followed by a civil war. Later, it emerged as a battlefield for 'war on terror' and insurgency movements. After the Withdrawal of Russia in 1994, Taliban took over the government and run the administration of Afghanistan. Taliban Leader Mullah Omar known as the Khalifa of the State. Many Islamic Organizations of the world are supporting Taliban and Al-Qaeda also in Afghanistan. After, the 9/11 attacks in the United States, Washington responded militarily while launching attacks on Afghanistan with the support of Pakistan. The aim of USA is to fight against terrorism especially against Usama-bin-laden, and his organization Al-Qaeda, because of being the mastermind of 9/11 attacks. Afghanistan government was established through Boon Agreement in 2001. At the time of this accord, it was hoped that the rapid growth of the Taliban regime and the installation of a broad-based internationally backed administration would bring an end to large-scale conflict in Afghanistan. The accord has made reference to the idea of peaceful co-existence, and the political roadmap outline includes measures with the significant potential to further peace process. Afghan Peace talks started after the toppling down of the Taliban v government in December 2001. The aim of the peace process in Afghanistan has been the restoring of stability in the country and the establishment of a democratically elected government. The intervention of external players in Afghanistan is a big challenge to peace and stability in the region. Afghanistan is one of the unsuccessful states of the world that is known for foreign invasions or armies crossing its border to fulfil their personal and national Interest. In the 19th and 20th century Afghanistan remained a potential field and center of attention for the great game between Russia and the British Empire, for enhancing their influence in central and south Asia. Nonetheless, Afghanistan has been called as the graveyard of Empires. Apart from US, the interested parties in Afghanistan are also the regional powers like China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Iran. Therefore, in the process, the role of the US, China, Russia, India and Pakistan in the Afghan Peace Process have been discussed. There has never been a strong central or elected government in Afghanistan whose writ could be uniformly present in all parts of the country. So, neighbors exploit the situation to their own advantage and send their proxy wars to Afghanistan. Be it the rivalry between British-India and Soviet Union, United States and Soviet Union in the past, or Pakistan-India rivalry at present or a new great game. All regional powers are struggling to use Afghanistan as a battleground to settle their scores against each other. Pakistan and USA are the main External players interfering in this country. Pakistan provided a space to Americans in their fight against the Al-Qaida and Taliban. The only way in the peace in Afghanistan, as realized by the interesting parties except India is how to bring Taliban on the negotiating table and sort out issues by reaching a consensus. However, Taliban have many Demands, and the major demand is to implement the Islamic Sharia Law in the State. Therefore, the last chapter deals with this.