Subsequent to outage of Taliban regime, US and allies are persistently supporting Afghanistan in every walk of human endeavor, be that socio-economic development, political stability or combating remnants of Al-Qaida and Taliban. In the line of duty large number of US combat forces died. The Department of Defense has identified 2,302 American service members have died as a part of the Afghan war and related operations. Undeniably US played immense role in strengthening democratic institutions in Afghanistan; in doing so broader enduring strategic partnership agreement was signed between Afghanistan and US. In light of said agreement the status of security forces had to be enforced with Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that grants them certain safeguards.
US and NATO allies are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of year 2014 whilst BSA remained unsigned. Inevitably, a considerable number of residual forces should be kept behind for the continuation of “assist, advice and train” mission of Afghan army. Consequently, US stipulated the retention of US residual forces to signature of BSA. Earlier US asserted to go for “zero option” if the BSA isn’t duly signed by corresponding authority in the Kabul. Nevertheless, BSA accord is subjected to indefinite delay, by the outgoing president, who referred the fate of BSA to incoming President.
This very stance of Karzia government raised several ambiguities to the fate of US-Afghanistan relationship. Reportedly the relationship between Obama administration and Karzai government suffers high degree of strain. White House has repeatedly warned of complete draw down, provided BSA not singed. Conversely the US senators don’t conform to this decision of Obama administration. Formerly the US senators warned the Obama administration against leaving a fewer number of troops in Afghanistan beyond this year would be a fatal mistake.
The reason behind the underlined concerns is the lesson of Iraq where reportedly the remnant of Al-Qaida has turned unbeatable after Iraq turned down signing a similar accord. The White House might have learned "a lesson from Iraq," where all US troops were pulled after Iraq failed to sign a bilateral security agreement. This resulted, in tragic, rise of violence, and growing risk of renewed sectarian conflict and resurrection of terrorists. The US senators cautions that fatal mistake in Iraq must not be repeated in Afghanistan.
Given the Karzai government repudiated to sign BSA, the US senators expressed a needed willingness to rely on the upcoming administration that is likely to sign the BSA. Both leading runners Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai expressed willingness to renew their working relationship with US depicts BSA is likely singed by upcoming administration. The finalization of status of BSA will render to be the prior most challenge for forthcoming premier that will put his leadership capability at test.