The challenge in Chicago

22 May 2012 09:58 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The NATO summit in Chicago seems to be in a fix. Though the leaders had converged with a sense of understanding to scale down their responsibilities and walk out of Afghanistan in grace, and that too at the earliest, the change of heart from Washington has acted as a spanner in works.

The United States plea that the West and NATO should maintain their presence despite their scheduled withdrawal in 2014 is merely jumping over the gun. This has come to obstruct an earlier understanding through which Germany, Britain and the US had agreed to an international fund to help Afghan forces after the NATO pullout. The estimated $4 billion fund is indispensable for security and stability in the war-torn country, and shouldn’t come under debate on the premise of prolonging Coalition forces presence in Afghanistan. The second thoughts that Pentagon is nursing these days of staying put in southwest Asia for a longer period of time will not come to solve any of the problems. Exiting Afghanistan is sine qua non for peace, and only then can the forces of inertia come into play to evolve an inbuilt political serenity.

The faux pas in Chicago has turned out to be how to deal with Pakistan. The invitation to Islamabad was widely considered to be a gesture that would work in reopening the supply lines. But what Pakistan has asked for in Chicago is nothing new — with the only exception of putting up a higher price tag for resuming supplies. The enigma of drones and seeking an unconditional apology for the attack on its soldiers has for long been debated. It is a fact that drone strikes have come to derail the goodwill that the war on terrorism had once bred in the region, and now it has landed both Pakistan and the US in a tight corner where their sincerity is highly doubted. Secondly, the aspect of interpreting geostrategic needs in commercial terms is what that is surprising Washington and the NATO allies! The answer as far as Pakistan is concerned could be in making its ends meet, as it faces a severe economic backlash. The Chicago summit shouldn’t waste this opportunity of building more bridges and chartering out a roadmap through which not only the mess in Afghanistan is addressed but also peace restored in southwest Asia. NATO’s future role should be one of a catalyst for stability and not one of an occupation force.
Khaleej Times

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

The challenge in Chicago

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident