Gelisim News

“Corruption of the commanding system demoralized Afghan forces”

What will happen after the Taliban’s taking control of Kabul arouses curiosity. International Relations Specialist Dr. Bahlul Aliyev said “Although Afghan government forces were quite ahead of the Taliban militias in both numbers and equipment, the rapid withdrawal of American forces, the lack of central will, corruption in the command system and the prevalent chaos and fear in the society demoralized the Afghan forces.”

Stating that the USA's hasty retreat from Afghanistan is related to the new reality of international relations, Sociologist and International Relations Specialist at Istanbul Gelisim University, Asst. Prof. Bahlul Aliyev said, “The war waged by the USA against the Taliban and other fundamentalist organizations in Afghanistan is the longest-running war in the history of the USA, but also attracted attention with its very high cost. When we examine the US military presence, which ended with a balance sheet of 2 trillion dollars, there is no geopolitical success or perspective for the US. Even if it wasn’t fully formed when getting USA forces to systematically retreat from the country it plays a key role in the new system of international relations that is emerging more and more prominently. The current system is no longer compatible with the military operations carried out in the 2000s. Although the USA was supported by other geopolitical actors at the beginning of the operation, the same support could not be provided for a long time in the changing order. This made the American presence in Afghanistan anachronistic.”

THE CONFLICT POINT OF GREAT POWERS: AFGHANISTAN

Pointing out that Afghanistan is a conflict point of great powers due to its geographical structure, Aliyev said that the geographical structure of Afghanistan, which is defined as the "Empires Cemetery", prevents any power foreign to this country from holding the region. Aliyev said, “Military operations in this region have been of geopolitical importance and resulted in the systematic opposition of the great powers against each other. The British Empire entered the war in Afghanistan 3 times in 1839-1842, 1878-1880 and 1919 within the framework of geopolitical rivalry, also known as the "Great Game", in order to prevent Russia's expansionism and to have Turkestan, and only on August 8 of 1919. Afghanistan gained its independence. Analogically, the military intervention of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in 1979-1989 was carried out to support the pro-Soviet regime there rather than the occupation, and was opposed by the other actors, the USA, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, by providing financial, military and logistical support to the mujahideen. India's support to the Afghan Government along with the Soviets in this war can be considered as an extension of the struggle with Pakistan. The US intervention in Afghanistan after 9/11 was likewise made to have a control mechanism in the Eurasian region. However, unlike the British and the Soviets, the USA was supported by both major and regional powers, NATO and partner countries. This situation legitimized the US operation in Afghanistan. The unipolarity reality of the period was also part of the reality. In the new era, the geopolitical reality of the US presence in Afghanistan began to change as the world started to get rid of unipolarity and new power centers began to emerge.

“USA'S RETREAT FROM THE REGION IS PART OF THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN”

Pointing out that there may be a strategic purpose behind the US's hasty exit from Afghanistan, Asst. Prof. Bahlul Aliyev continued his words as follows:

“The war in Afghanistan, initiated by the American President George W. Bush against the fundamentalist organizations, especially the Taliban, which the USA once provided all kinds of support against the Soviets, no longer had any significance for the USA from the Obama era, and the process of withdrawal of the USA began. During the Trump era, negotiations were held with the Taliban and the infrastructure for the withdrawal to begin to be prepared. There are two interesting situations here: The USA supported fundamentalist organizations against its rivals in the bipolar world, and later declared war against these organizations. It was stated in official language that with Biden's coming to power, Russia posed the most important source of danger for the United States in terms of security. The withdrawal process, which was started suddenly without informing anyone, took place leaving behind billions of dollars in weapons and ammunition although it would destroy the prestige of the USA.”

“RUSSIA MAY HAVE TO DIRECT ITS RESOURCES TO THE REGION”

Referring to the fact that the Afghan government forces are not in control of the situation, Aliyev said, "Although it is obvious that the government forces are not competent to oppose the extremists without tactical-technological, financial and strategic support, the withdrawal of the aforementioned weapons and vehicles in the region, which are not even in the inventory of most NATO countries, raises suspicions that it is part of the strategic plan. It is also possible to consider it as a move to destabilize the region after the US retreated from the region, to turn the target of the Taliban, who has no experience in state administration and knows how to fight alone, to the north, and thus to draw Russia's attention to the region, as it was during the Soviet period. Russia, which is already experiencing financial difficulties, may have to direct its financial resources to the region. It is also significant in this respect that tripartite exercises are initiated with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan under the leadership of Russia, with the beginning of the withdrawal process of the USA.”

“TALIBAN'S NEW IMAGE AT THE MEETING IN MOSCOW WAS EFFECTIVE”

Stating that the new image they drew was effective in the success of the "Taliban" organization, which took full control in Afghanistan, Dr. Aliyev concluded his words as follows:

“Negotiations between the Taliban and the US have been going on for a long time. The rhetoric of the Taliban spokesmen in Moscow on July 9 on the guarantor of social peace and security in the new policy to be implemented by the Taliban convinced the government forces, which were caught unprepared for the war, to surrender. The radical actions of the Taliban have renewed the memory of the Afghan society with the withdrawal of the USA. There was serious fear and chaos in the society. The durable Afghan army that American forces had been trying to establish for years could not be formed due to the corruption. In addition, although it was supported, the operations were always carried out by American forces. This prevented Afghan government forces from gaining experience in the field. Although Afghan government forces were repeatedly ahead of the Taliban militia both in numbers and equipment, the rapid withdrawal of American forces, lack of central will, corruption in the command, widespread chaos and fear demoralized Afghan forces. Mass desertions to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at the border posts were also enough to feed the chaos. Thereupon, the promises of the Taliban began to create a new hope. The mass surrender of the troops and Taliban’s sparing their lives also accelerated the disintegration of the already demoralized army. That's how the Taliban were able to quickly take control of Afghanistan."
 

Created Date: :   Thursday, August 19, 2021