David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Friday 13 March, 2009

A way forward in Afghanistan

There has been much talk recently about whether we are 'winning' in Afghanistan. The question isn't as simple as it might seem, some things go well, others less so. As I've said before defeating the insurgency will not be achieved by military means alone. Renewed US focus on Afghanistan, and their commitment of 17,000 additional troops, is very welcome. But troops alone will never be enough.

As ISAF Commander General McKiernan said on Radio 4 this week, to achieve lasting stability, military efforts must be matched on the civilian side. Economic development and a workable reconciliation strategy are as crucial as boots on the ground when it comes to dismantling the insurgency.  He also went out of his way to praise British efforts in Helmand. 

The way we and our international partners work in Helmand - drawing together contributions from both military and civilian experts - is increasingly seen as a offering insight into the way ahead, despite the ferocity of insurgent attacks.
                                                                                                                                                      
We are encouraging others to do more where they can, whether in military or civilian terms. But the two have to go together; allied to the recommendations President Obama has advocated.

Posted at 16:38 13 March 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[10]

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Dear Mr.Miliband, I think one of the biggest detrimental factors that will be pivotal in defeating the Taliban is to solve the Kashmir dispute. If this lingering dispute is solved amicably, you would have solved 90 of Pakistan's domestic issues/ defense concerns and thus given their forces a phenomenal advantage to counter the insurgency on their western borders. Failure to resolve the Kashmir dispute will eventually lead to a more destabilized Pakistan and a more violent Taliban. Moreover the Iranians who are closely watching the NATO/American actions in Pakistan/Afghanistan will almost certainly take undue advantage of the Pakistani fiasco. I believe the onus is on new age politicians like you to think outside the box and get the Indians/Pakistanis to reach an amicable solution the the Kashmir dispute.

Posted by Ejaz Gosani on March 14, 2009 at 02:39 AM GMT #

In my view it is very apt to call for the global leaders specially for the South Asian leaders to stick together for a SINGLE Plan of Action to fight terrorism and then the external help from the western powers would act as an inc-cream topping. Untill n unless we all srtive for a better and efficient cooperation among ourselves, we can not ensure safety and security.

Posted by Hari Om Dahiya on March 14, 2009 at 01:20 PM GMT #

Thank you for your remarks about Afghanistan. I am a U.S. citizen and am so glad that there has been a change of policy there. We can't abandon the people as some here in the U.S. yell about leaving, being ignorant of the facts. Any support for President Obama is greatly appreciated by me. Britain is a strong friend to the U.S. and I do hope that the friendship for Britain is returned by my government. Take care, Maude

Posted by Maude on March 14, 2009 at 04:19 PM GMT #

Engaging with the Taliban in Afghanistan is fraught with the danger of direct threats to the UK's basic principles, including secularism, human rights, and protecting women and children. Whether in Afghanistan under the Taliban in the mid-1990s, or in parts of Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan today, we can see this challenge starkly. Trying to co-opt Kashmir into this picture is tangential, since the Sharia is not the legal system in Kashmir, though Taliban supporters would like it to be so.

Posted by mike on March 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM GMT #

Two-pronged approach of counterinsurgency: integrated military and political campaigns were on the top of the debate for decades. The UNDP concept of Human Security draws much wider working areas that can be used to strengthen any COIN operations in the long-run. There is a breadth of excellent resources available on asymmetric warfare. The current ground realities in countries like Afghanistan contribute the growing knowledge and it helps to develop preemptive strategies for the future.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on March 16, 2009 at 05:09 AM GMT #

Dear Sir, We agree that only with military forces the problem will not be solved. Those countries that they help Afghanistan must have economic, social and security strategies for afghan people in order to bring change in the daily life of people. Afghan police and army must have outfit with updated weapons and all tools that they need. More chances should be given to Afghan police and army in operations. About foreign soldiers, I should say that they are not familiar with Afghanistan, they do not know anything about cultural and social customs for this case they will not be able to contact with Afghans and Afghan people support them. Dealing with Taliban and Al – qaida is not just Afghanistan's conflict it is a war for all world. All world specially neighbor countries of Afghanistan must take part to find roots of these war and straggle and cut the roots of them.

Posted by Azkiya on March 16, 2009 at 06:36 AM GMT #

when i listen to the types that defend our continuing military 'engagement' in afghanistan there's one common link between these people - they're total disregard and respect for afghan's. they're people that have never known anyone from that region or have ever been there. i've only ever spent time in kashmir but have known a few afghan's here in england. everyone knows that when they're fighting an invading super power afghan's have proved themselves more than capable of resisting and defeating these armies. but then at the same time westerners have managed to convince themselves that when it comes to defeating fundamentalists afghan's have suddenly lost the understanding and ability to fight. the majority REALLY don't want the taliban to return to power, obviously they'll be prepared to fight to the death to prevent this happening.

Posted by sarahsmith232 on March 18, 2009 at 08:42 AM GMT #

this is stuck onto the last bit why on earth do we imagine that without our military presence, and as far as the U.S's contribution to the situation, the use of these drones, the continuous indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas inside afghanistan and in pakistan, etc, this is a destruction contribution, it not helping. why do we think that the afghan's will be incapable of solving their own problems and creating a society which works best for them? the only answer is 'cause we have no respect. there is def' an argument to say we are not helping but hindering. and destabilising pakistan into the bargain. a draw down wouldn't be a bad idea.

Posted by sarahsmith232 on March 18, 2009 at 08:43 AM GMT #

What is the British Government policy toward Afghan poppy cultivation since Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s special envoy for Afghanistan, said : “Breaking the narco-state in Afghanistan is essential or all else will fail.” while taking particular issue with the counter-narcotics strategy the Bush administration pursued in Afghanistan? “The … program," he continued, "which costs around $1 billion a year, may be the single most ineffective policy in the history of American foreign policy. It’s not just a waste of money. It actually strengthens the Taliban and al Qaeda, as well as criminal elements within Afghanistan.” ...continued...

Posted by Percefal on March 18, 2009 at 03:23 PM GMT #

.......continuation of last comment... Is the International Council on Security and Development ICOS Poppy for Medicine program being considered? That involves granting international licenses to poppy farmers in Afghan villages, where the crop would be turned into opiate-based medicines such as morphine or codeine, and then shipped out to the legal market. It would keep local farmers in business, deprive the Taliban of support and revenue and save British lives. Poppy for Medicine has the support of the European Parliament.

Posted by Percefal on March 18, 2009 at 03:24 PM GMT #

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