Finally, the year 2012 ended and it ended with much bloodshed and violence compared to last year (2011). There was no end to the violence in 2012, as well. The U.S. troop deaths declined overall from 404 last year to 295. The Defense Department says 1,701 U.S. troops have been killed in the war in Afghanistan since the U.S. invasion in 2001 until Dec-26, while 338 died from non-hostile causes. Around 18,154 were wounded. About 394 foreign troops, including the Americans were killed in 2012. The British, with the second-largest military forces in Afghanistan had 43 killed, the second-highest toll among other countries with forces in Afghanistan fighting against terrorism.
In addition to that the interior and defense ministries also added that more Afghan police and soldiers are dying in the war zone areas. More than 1,050 Afghan troops lost their lives this year in the conflict, significantly higher than last year. Approximately 1,400 police died in the 10 months from March 21 to the end of the year 2012.
The AP news also adds that at least 822 Afghan civilians had been killed by the Taliban and other militant fighters in this year while another 119 died in NATO airstrikes and landing operations. That was a decrease from last year, when 1,151 were killed by insurgents and 283 by NATO.
Substantially smaller numbers die when they are caught in cross-fires between the NATO or U.S forces and Afghan National forces with Taliban.
In this regard, the United Nations also comes up with different casualty statistics, but also noted that civilian deaths had decreased, comparing with a five-year back. The latest report says that during the first six months of the year, 1,145 civilians died in conflict-related violence as compared with 1,510 in the same period of 2011. The U.N. also points out that the insurgent's land mines and roadside bombs were the main cause behind the death toll of civilians.
After all, about 3,000 militants were reported to have been killed by coalition and Afghan forces this year, compared with more than 3,500 last year. The NATO command does not issue reports on the number of insurgents being killed in the conflict. However, the year passed was one of the deadliest years for both the U.S, NATO and Afghan forces in their way towards peace building. Observing the current ground realities, many are skeptical about prediction of peace and tranquility in the year ahead, even worst after the U.S and NATO completely withdraw from the region.
After nearly eleven years of intervention by the United States and NATO, the security situation in Afghanistan is still a major concern for the international community, particularly for the Afghan nation.
Despite many efforts and resources aimed at bringing peace and stability in the country, the result has been insufficient at most.
The main causes of the present situation in Afghanistan include lack of proper planning, shifting policies, inattention to geopolitical realities and over-reliance on military power without the necessary attention to development and civilian assistance plans. The current, predominantly military ANSF approaches have little or no chance of success unless a comprehensive approach, including a vigorous humanitarian plan, is adopted. Analysis of the role of regional and neighboring countries in Afghanistan's peace process shows that a viable solution could be found on the basis of a dialogue and regional cooperation.
More than a decade since the removal of the Taliban from power in the country, the state is still struggling with instability, extreme poverty and inequality. The security situation in the region as a whole continues to deteriorate, causing real concern and demanding an urgent solution from the state nations. The worst consequences of the war today is not limited to the Afghan government and the insurgent groups alone, but involves the United States, NATO and Afghanistan's neighbors and other countries at large.
As per the current ground realities, there is a serious need of support by the International Community and U.S. in terms of security responsibility and the regional dialogue on the challenges that Afghanistan is facing. The dialogue must be designed in a way that should bring together experts, policymakers and representatives of international organizations to explore the key security, political, social and economic issues confronting the countries and societies of the region with particular focus to develop and advance ideas on how peace and stability can be enhanced through strengthened regional cooperation. The past years have all gone with talking about talks with the Taliban. In particular, we had nothing achieved to help heighten the level of security situation.
A U.S. National Intelligence estimates in January, as well as a Pentagon report in December, both concluded that the Taliban had not given up hope of taking control of Afghanistan by force, and that corruption, poor governance and the continued presence of Taliban safe havens in Pakistan were contributing to the failure to stabilize the country.
As of now, the NATO forces are likely withdrawing from the region and the Afghan security forces are to face a resurgent and belligerent Taliban in Kabul and in other parts of the region. Reports already indicate that a large number of militants are being trained and given the safe sanctuaries available in bordering area; much bloodshed can be expected if the negotiation does not take root with the Taliban.
Negotiating with the Taliban will be playing with fire, a better approach would be to consistently support development, create visible improvements in the quality of life, and extending the blanket of security. Pakistan will also be signed by cooperation in Afghanistan, as the peace in the region will be the only way to end the war in Afghanistan.
As the peace process is in its way, all the countries show green light that this would be only convenient way to ending the war in Afghanistan. This would not benefit only Afghanistan, but all the nations would be blessed with it. Any talks will need months, possibly years, but everyone, even the Taliban would like to see a ceasefire before 2014 so as not to miss the chance for a peaceful life. Once negotiation with the Taliban happens, there could be more fruitful talks between the Taliban and Kabul on power-sharing that could lead to a political settlement for ending the long-aged war and build the ground for peace and brotherhood.
As the presidential election is due in April 2014 in which President Karzai is unable to participate as a candidate, there is greater chance awaiting this war-affected nation for a new and invigorated Afghan leadership who the Taliban could accept a negotiating partner for the peace.
A great deal depends on Pakistan showing maturity, generosity and a genuine desire for peace in the region. It must soon chalk out a timetable so that the Taliban are left with no other option but to go home and work out a compromise with Kabul government. But ultimately, it will be the nation who will decide upon their own future and work towards a peaceful resolution. The coming year is all important for the nation and world at large.
By ignoring the main causes of this predicament, the door has been left open for the resurgence of the Taliban. A viable peace in Afghanistan is more likely to be realized through regional approach, in which the strategic concerns of other states, especially the neighboring and regional countries, are taken into consideration and their active participation for peace building is encouraged in Afghanistan.