Over the last decade, about 3,000 foreign soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan. Same has been the fate of thousands of Afghan security forces and innocent civilians. With huge sacrifice in blood and treasure, the future is still gravely uncertain for the people of Afghanistan as suicide bombing, targeted killing and other forms of insurgency continue like never before.

Afghan national army and police are seen as the future defenders of Afghanistan. Nonetheless, severe concerns over their capacity – training and equipment wise – remain high among the people.

Being a soldier in a volatile country such as Afghanistan where death follows you every moment is not an easy task. The sacrifices Afghan security forces have offered to their homeland would never be forgotten. But we have to admit the fact that they have yet to nurture to become competent enough to defend Afghanistan on their own.

With the plans for international troops to switch from combat to supporting role by 2013 and withdraw in complete by the end of 2014, concerns over future political and economic security of this country have become manifold.

If on the one hand corruption, illiteracy, high dropout rates, and infiltration of Taliban into the ranks of Afghan forces are considered severe hurdles for their development, on the other lack of proper and latest equipments, weapons, tanks and war crafts makes Afghan army and police to be less confident.

Time is running out for international community in Afghanistan. It has to act fast before 2014 to address the negative factors that will be left behind by troops' withdrawal on security and economy of Afghanistan.

The challenge is hard. It is now making drawdown possible, strengthening Afghan troops and meanwhile weakening the terrorists to make sure they will not return. There is need for maintaining the development so far achieved and making environment further feasible for the newborn Afghan democracy to nurture. The sacrifices of international community and Afghanistan should not be allowed to go futile and for that purpose, there is a need for optimal efforts, internationally.