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Political analysts believe the Soviet Union and the US and its international allies have made the same fundamental mistakes in Afghanistan by not focusing on rebuilding infrastructure.
On Dec. 27, 1979, soldiers from the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, but, faced with unexpected resistance were forced to leave on Feb. 15, 1989.
In late 2001, the US and an international coalition launched their war in Afghanistan, ostensibly to topple the Taliban and prevent Al Qaeda from seeking sanctuary in its mountains. Nearly 10 years on, and they are still here, said political analyst, Wahid Muzhda, adding that their big mistake was not focus on infrastructure projects.
The focus of the US government has been Afghan security forces, not projects which could allow Afghans to stand on their own two feet, such as hydroelectric dams and other job-creation ventures, he said.
"When the US and foreign soldiers leave, Afghanistan will have the same fate as it had when the Russians left," he said, dismissing the billions of dollars the US has poured into the country as misguided.
Muzhda speculated that the reason that the US was in Afghanistan was to keep an eye on neighbours with nuclear bombs and to prevent India and China from taking economic benefits.
"America therefore asked Afghanistan for a long-term military presence in order to control the situation," he said. Another analyst, Akram Khpalwak, said each country would chase its own interests.
Asked whether the two powers had achieved their targets in 10 years, he said Russia had suffered huge economic and military losses during the decade of fighting.
And while the US had tried to work for the development of democracy, it was the power of warlords which was growing stronger, he said.
He said even of the US poured more money into the country, development would not improve.
Muzhda on the other hand said the US Congress had approved billions of dollars for the military in Afghanistan, but had no money for the civil sector. And, since vehicles, weapons and other military equipment is imported from the US, the benefits all go back to the US, Muzhda said.
The difference between the two countries was that Russia took a decision on its own to invade Afghanistan while the US and the coalition came with the banking of the United Nations. Also, the number of Afghans killed in the two decades was vastly different. It is thought about 1.5 million Afghans were killed and many millions more fled during the Soviet invasion.
Since the US forced out the Taliban, many of those Afghans who fled during the jihad have returned home.
Currently there are 150,000 foreign soldiers from about 50 countries based in Afghanistan. America has the largest contingent, about 100,000, under command of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Although the Taliban have suffered a large number of casualties, a considerable number of foreign soldiers have also been killed in the conflict.
Since 2001, 2,325 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, according to the icasualties.org website.
The Soviet forces lost 14,453 soldiers during their decade of occupation, according to the Years of Invasion and Resistance, published by Mohammad Akram Andishmand, Another 49,983 soldiers were wounded, it says.
Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov, the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan, crossed on foot over the friendship bridge spanning the Amu River on Feb. 15 1989.
"I was the last Soviet soldier leaving Afghanistan. In the last moments I felt a big weakness, because I saw a dark future and a washed away past," he said in his last comments while leaving the country.
When the last US or allied soldier will leave and what they will say has not yet been written.
Both Russia, US should have focused on infrastructure: analysts | Pajhwok Afghan News
On Dec. 27, 1979, soldiers from the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, but, faced with unexpected resistance were forced to leave on Feb. 15, 1989.
In late 2001, the US and an international coalition launched their war in Afghanistan, ostensibly to topple the Taliban and prevent Al Qaeda from seeking sanctuary in its mountains. Nearly 10 years on, and they are still here, said political analyst, Wahid Muzhda, adding that their big mistake was not focus on infrastructure projects.
The focus of the US government has been Afghan security forces, not projects which could allow Afghans to stand on their own two feet, such as hydroelectric dams and other job-creation ventures, he said.
"When the US and foreign soldiers leave, Afghanistan will have the same fate as it had when the Russians left," he said, dismissing the billions of dollars the US has poured into the country as misguided.
Muzhda speculated that the reason that the US was in Afghanistan was to keep an eye on neighbours with nuclear bombs and to prevent India and China from taking economic benefits.
"America therefore asked Afghanistan for a long-term military presence in order to control the situation," he said. Another analyst, Akram Khpalwak, said each country would chase its own interests.
Asked whether the two powers had achieved their targets in 10 years, he said Russia had suffered huge economic and military losses during the decade of fighting.
And while the US had tried to work for the development of democracy, it was the power of warlords which was growing stronger, he said.
He said even of the US poured more money into the country, development would not improve.
Muzhda on the other hand said the US Congress had approved billions of dollars for the military in Afghanistan, but had no money for the civil sector. And, since vehicles, weapons and other military equipment is imported from the US, the benefits all go back to the US, Muzhda said.
The difference between the two countries was that Russia took a decision on its own to invade Afghanistan while the US and the coalition came with the banking of the United Nations. Also, the number of Afghans killed in the two decades was vastly different. It is thought about 1.5 million Afghans were killed and many millions more fled during the Soviet invasion.
Since the US forced out the Taliban, many of those Afghans who fled during the jihad have returned home.
Currently there are 150,000 foreign soldiers from about 50 countries based in Afghanistan. America has the largest contingent, about 100,000, under command of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Although the Taliban have suffered a large number of casualties, a considerable number of foreign soldiers have also been killed in the conflict.
Since 2001, 2,325 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, according to the icasualties.org website.
The Soviet forces lost 14,453 soldiers during their decade of occupation, according to the Years of Invasion and Resistance, published by Mohammad Akram Andishmand, Another 49,983 soldiers were wounded, it says.
Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov, the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan, crossed on foot over the friendship bridge spanning the Amu River on Feb. 15 1989.
"I was the last Soviet soldier leaving Afghanistan. In the last moments I felt a big weakness, because I saw a dark future and a washed away past," he said in his last comments while leaving the country.
When the last US or allied soldier will leave and what they will say has not yet been written.
Both Russia, US should have focused on infrastructure: analysts | Pajhwok Afghan News
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