By IRNA,
London : A professor of peace studies says the present situation in Afghanistan still remains “a huge mess” for foreign forces.
Paul Rogers, from the University of Bradford, said in a meeting of the Afghan-Pak Group in the British parliament that the military intervention of Western powers in Afghanistan was a “complete fiasco” which has resulted in strengthening the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
He said the coalition forces have been unable to materialise their objectives after almost a decade of war and occupation.
He added that the present situation in Afghanistan is much like the 1990s when the Taliban and Al-Qaeda had so much influence and established bases across the country.
Rogers said the Taliban now enjoy the same influence they previously had in Afghanistan.
“Foreign forces have failed in Afghanistan …The Taliban has re-gained their influence and the country has turned into the largest centre for producing heroin and opium,” he said.
He added that the start of the war in Iraq was another “strategic mistake” by the United States and Britain which laid the ground for empowering Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Referring to the high number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, he said coalition forces will not take any responsibility for killing civilians in Afghanistan out of the fear for prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
Rogers said India , Pakistan and recently China are making their best efforts to broaden their influence in Afghanistan , resulting in strengthening the Taliban.
He further said the United States has promised to pull a large number of its troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2013 only because of the next presidential elections.
Rogers said the Obama administration wants to be re-elected and the Afghan withdrawal could play an important role in attracting people’s votes.