Lahore, 22nd June: Afghanistan has been a war zone for the past 4 decades. Since 9/11, an entire generation has sprung up under foreign occupation and incessant conflict. The Afghan Peace Process which was agreed by all the stakeholders in February 2020 did witness some progress as both sides released their prisoners and sat down to discuss the post-withdrawal governance and strategy. Nonetheless, the progress among Afghan stakeholders has been at a glacial pace this year. On another side, after Joe Biden’s inauguration in the US, the superpower has sped up its efforts to leave Afghanistan. They are expected to pack up their bags by 4th July instead of the previously declared September 11, 2021.  Thus, amidst a bulwark between both the sides in Afghanistan and the US pressure to leave without ensuring a progressive and assiduous withdrawal plan has further jeopardized the situation. There now exists a vacuum in curtailing insurgency and counterterrorism. The governance deficit has also widened as Afghan Security Forces struggle, tipping the balance in favor of the Taliban who have gained the upper hand in many districts. Accompanied with this, the Taliban have also spurred up violence and terror activities in Afghanistan. Despite agreeing upon … Continue reading Afghan Peace Process in June 2021 and Setting Future Expectations