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“This is a hopeful moment, but it is only the beginning,” said acting US deputy ambassador at the UN, Cherith Norman Chalet. “We hope the people of Afghanistan seize the opportunity to achieve an historic peace settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan, preserves the gains of the last two decades in human rights, basic freedoms and the meaningful participation of women in political and civil institutions, and ensures that the territory of the Afghan people will never again be used by international terrorists to threaten the world" (Time).
On February 29th, a peace deal was signed between the United States and the Taliban in Qatar’s capital, Doha. This peace deal was signed to end the 18-year war between the Taliban and the United States. The Taliban have promised to cease attacks in Afghanistan and the US has promised to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 in the next 135 days, with its allies holding similar reductions. Over the next 14 months, “[t]he US and Nato allies have agreed to withdraw all troops... if the militants uphold the deal” (BBC). The Taliban also agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas that they are in control of. Although al-Qaeda’s founder and leader Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011 by American forces, al-Qaeda still operates throughout some parts of Afghanistan.
Over the years, Al-Qaeda has often been compared to the Taliban. According to New York University, “Afghan Taliban [have not] adopted the internationalist jihadi rhetoric of affiliates of al-Qaeda…There has even been some debate among the Afghan Taliban about the legitimacy of suicide bombing, a tactic they learnt from al-Qaeda.” The Taliban is not as involved in international terrorism as al-Qaeda. The September 11th attacks in 2001 were planned by al-Qaeda, not the Taliban. The Taliban have even reportedly killed and expelled people from their movement for “echo[ing] al-Qaeda rhetoric” (NYU). The promise from the Taliban towards preventing any militant groups from operating in their controlled areas is an attempt from the United States to further ensure that any chaos is prevented.
To many Americans, this peace deal means they get to go home, but as for the Afghan people, even if they do not like the foreign interference in their country, many fear the possible chaos that may come with the withdrawal of foreign troops. Afghan activist Zahra Husseini expressed her fear that the deal could be detrimental to the situation for Afghan women: “I don't trust the Taliban, and remember how they suppressed women when they were ruling” (BBC). Despite these fears, “Taliban leaders say they've changed since their harsh rule of the 1990s still seared in the memory of many, and most of all Afghan women” (BBC).
The peace deal was signed by Afghan-American diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a witness. Pompeo had urged the Taliban to follow the deal’s terms and cut all ties with al-Qaeda. "I hope that with the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan the Afghan nation under an Islamic regime will take its relief and embark on a new prosperous life," said Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. American presidents have been trying to end the war in Afghanistan for many years, continually attempting to bring back troops to America only to have to send more out again. If the peace deal holds, it will mean that the war can finally come to an end. America has invested a countless amount of time and resources towards the war in Afghanistan. Costing over two trillion dollars, (NY Times) the war took the lives of over 2,300 Americans in Afghanistan and wounded around 20,700 more (DOD). However, according to American Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, "[t]his is a hopeful moment, but it is only the beginning. The road ahead will not be easy. Achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan will require patience and compromise among all parties” (BBC).
Bringing an end to an 18-year conflict might not be easy, but peace is necessary to save the lives of countless Afghan and American lives. The course theme of what conditions are needed to end armed conflict and build sustainable peace is very connected to this current event. Both sides of this peace deal realize that there will only be more bloodshed from all parties if the conflict continues. The US recognizes that the war diverts a vast amount of resources that could have been used better elsewhere, and Afghans are aware of the sickening effects of war. Once these things become acknowledged and everyone involved with the war fully grasps the idea that the conflict helps no one, only then can the fighting truly end and sustainable peace begin.
Discussion Questions:
1. What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
2. Was the war in Afghanistan necessary?
3. Will the peace deal be successful in stopping conflict and creating peace?
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ReplyDelete1. What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteI think people are driven to use terrorism to achieve their goals because of despair. If someone believes they have no real power to change things and is desperate to take actions, I can understand them using violence and fear to change things. This means that groups that lacks material and power is the most likely to use fear and violence against the forces they believe are oppressive, usually the government. But I think terrorism can be avoided without too much effort since it requires a people to be extremely cruel and immoral. If the stronger powers listens and negotiates with the weaker powers I think terrorism can be easily avoided.
What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteUnlike what Zeke or Taj said, I believe hatred of the other side is what causes terrorism and suicide bombing. This is very similar to the kamikaze pilots from Japan during World War two, they did it because they knew that they would most likely die anyways, and this way it did the most damage to the enemy before their death.
Similarly, these terrorists must hate their victims to the point where they want to inflict the maximum amount of damage to them as possible, and, to guarantee that, it requires them to give up their life. This requires a very strong devotion to their cause and hatred and a desire to inflict pain to the other side as much as possible.
2. Was the War in Afghanistan necessary?
ReplyDeleteI don't really think so. I don't know all that much about the conflict, but it seems that Al-Qaeda, the main cause for the War on Terror because of 9/11, had no connection to the Taliban. They are not the best organization in the world, but they didn't have any major connection to American goals at the time. Unless there is some support given to them that isn't stated above, then I don't think the war was necessary because there was no reason to attack them.
From my understanding (which is also fairly limited), the Taliban is a political movement, and ruled Afghanistan at the time of the 9/11 attacks. The US wanted the Taliban to turn over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden but the Taliban did not. This the US invaded, accusing the Taliban of hiding bin Laden and Al Qaeda. After 2001, the Taliban lost control of the government and have been fighting to reinstate themselves. I agree an 18 year war may not have been completely justified but just wanted to make a more explicit connection between the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
DeletePrompt 1:
ReplyDeleteI believe people uses terrorism to spread fear among the people and thus gaining control. Violence is not something an ordinary person want to encounter. Terrorists basically uses this idea to to cause fear and make people obey them. Fear is very strong emotion, and can be used to make people do things "extraordinary"; it can hence also be used as a tool. It is also a very effective and easy way to get certain things done or to gain control-- (since guns are really common in some areas). Furthermore, some degrees of hatred and frustration of "Terrorism-Parties" are also involved, as it generally ends in awful bloodsheds. (Bombing, shooting, etc)
Johnny H Per:5
What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteI think people are pushed to terrorism because it brings extreme attention to the event in worldwide media. Typically, violence brings attention as well as fear which terrorists use to achieve their goals. Their goals are often radical ideas or radical religious views that result from ongoing conflict and the desire to resolve it. Like Zeke said, terrorism and extremist views can be born out of a despairing situation where people are unable to make a difference in a different way. However, the root of terrorism lies in the conflicts that spark radical thinking which is why it is possible to negotiate and prevent terrorists from ever existing in the first place. By resolving conflicts before people feel the need to take it into their own hands, one aspect of terrorism can be greatly reduced.
1. What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteMany times, desperation and feelings of being unheard causes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their messages. A terrorist is defined as "a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." However, I believe a terrorist is someone who has exhausted many measures trying to publicize their political opinions; or someone who is purely trying to scare others to pursue power. Many times, extensive means are used because due to the fact that the government is oppressive and violent protests are the only way people are able to voice their opinions.
1. What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteI think most of the time people utilize terrorism to get attention. Those who commit the act want to be heard and they most likely feel that they aren't. They believe that they have no other choice because all other options of communication have been used and no one is listening/paying attention. There are many factors to why people commit the act of terrorism, but I mainly think that it is to be heard at a global level. -Arissa Low
1. What pushes people to use terrorism to achieve their goals or communicate their message?
ReplyDeleteI think terrorism is typically used in times of desperation. In order to bring attention to their ideas, terrorists will use violence and fear. Typically they will use it after other methods are ineffective and see no other way. But, I think the ideas of terrorism stem from conflicts and situations that the people are put in rather than from the person themselves. Reducing these conflicts could be a way to reduce or stop terrorism before it even happens.