Friday, May 04, 2012
Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai (Photo: Charles Dharapak, AP)
Lasting upwards of 10 years, the “Enduring Strategic Partnership” between the United States and Afghanistan will take effect after American combat forces have pulled out of the war in 2014. But the long-term agreement could wind up being a very short one, and its many goals contain no specifics to guarantee success.
President Barack Obama sought the deal so he would have something to showcase at the NATO summit, which the U.S. is hosting this month in Chicago. The deal is said to be legally binding, but that doesn’t mean much when either side can pull out after giving a year’s notice.
Under the terms of the partnership, Afghan leaders promise to fight corruption, spend wisely and protect human rights, including women’s rights. But the agreement doesn’t include any penalties for failing to accomplish any of the above.
The document also addresses the problem of opium coming out of Afghanistan. But, again, nothing concrete binds the two governments to eradicate the illegal drug trade.
The U.S. pledges to seek annual funding to train and equip the Afghan armed forces. But neither the Obama nor future administrations are committed to providing a specific amount of money.
U.S. forces will not be allowed to operate their own military bases, but they will be able to share space at Afghan bases and conduct military and spy operations.
Gareth Porter at Inter Press Service notes one thing the U.S. does not have to do under the partnership: stop American Special Forces from conducting their “universally hated” night raids on private homes in the Pashtun zones of Afghanistan.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
To Learn More:
US-Afghan Security Deal has Loopholes (by Anne Gearan, Associated Press)
U.S.-Afghan Pact Won't End War – Or SOF Night Raids (by Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service)
Obama's Agreement with Karzai in Afghanistan Short on Specifics (by Tom Peter, Christian Science Monitor)
Troop Pullout from Afghanistan? Not for CIA and Special Operations (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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