In Geopolitics Today - Tuesday, August 3rd
Taliban Contests Capital of Helmand Province and The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship
Taliban Contests Laskhar Gah, Capital of Helmand Province
On the 27th of July, 1880, one of the key battles of the Second Anglo-Afghan War took place in Helmund, Afghanistan. Under the leadership of Ayub Khan, the Afghan forces defeated two brigades of British and Indian troops under Brigadier-General George Burrows, marking a unique event in Afghan history. Now, almost one hundred and fifty years after the symbolic victory of Afghan tribesmen over a global empire in the Battle of Maiwand, another monumental event approaches Helmund province that will define future of Afghanistan.
After days of heavy fighting with Afghan government forces, the Taliban has entered Laskhar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. While the city has yet to fall into the hands of the Taliban forces, a battle still rages in the heart of the city. Taliban fighters are reported to have already taken control of the main radio station, and are now battling over the control of the police station, the main prison, and the governor’s own compound.
With the battle still raging, flights out of Bost Airport have been suspended as the Taliban pound the airport with rocket fire. The airport is a critical lifeline for the Afghan government forces, as they are dependent on the NATO coalition forces for the supply of weapons and ammunition. While the government still controls the airport, the situation seems increasingly tenuous for the Afghan government due to the contested nature of the road networks.
To aid the Afghan government forces, the US military has resumed airstrikes in Helmand in an effort to prevent the Taliban from swiftly taking control of several major cities. More than a dozen strikes were launched in and around Lashkar Gah, as well as in Kandahar City, Herat City. However, the arrival of US airpower has had effect in dislodging the Taliban or halting its rapid advance.
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The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship
The United States and Pakistan have had a complex relationship. Much of this complexity can be attributed to the US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, and the subsequent deterioration of relations due to Pakistan’s unwillingness to align its policies with the objectives of NATO coalition forces. But as the US leaves Afghanistan, there are voices in the US which call for a realignment of policies in light of the withdrawal.
Two veterans of the US Army believe that it is time for the US to consider how best to achieve a strategically beneficial and sustainable relationship between the countries at a time when the issue of Afghanistan no longer causes discomfort in discussions between Islamabad and Washington. In their view, the course and direction of Pakistan’s strategic decisions going forward will be important to the United States for three key reasons: Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state; its network of relationships is of strategic benefit to any great power; and the country has a rapidly-growing technology sector.
In order to accomplish a more sustainable relationship between the US and Pakistan, they suggest three areas where interests between the states may align. First, a healthy relationship with Pakistan would allow for the effective management of the significant political instability that is sure to emerge from the imminent collapse of the Afghan government forces. Second, frameworks of cooperation in counterterrorism operations would prevent instability to spread across the region. Third, a de-escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India — both nuclear powers — cannot be realised unless Pakistan is involved in the resolution of their many disputes with India.
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