Written by Richard Kane   

Twenty five years ago the Soviet Union left Afghanistan in the worst scenario possible. Domestic
economic turmoil meant the USSR could no longer afford an expensive war. Then the collapse of
Communism meant bin Laden felt empowered to believing that he was responsible for ending Godless
Communism. The Muslim terrorism in Russia today is the vestige of what is once the Mujahideen
who bankrupted the Soviet invaders in Afghanistan, fighting what is now Russia in and endless skirmish that never seems to end.

Today Hamad Karzai seeks peace talks with the Taliban without any help by the US. But back in 2011
both the US and the Afghan government were seeking peace talks with the Taliban but Russia fought
taking Taliban leaders off the UN terror list.

Wars don't have to be followed by endless tension and skirmishing. The US peace movement ended
the war in Vietnam in a way that Vietnam quickly wanted to be US's friend. Today no American is still
trying to keep Vietnam on the US terror list. Fifty years ago Charles de Gaulle ended the Algerian War. The last skirmish was in 1962. The peace agreement said France could keep a base for 15 years, but left this base in 1967. Algerians argue but never blame France for there arguments the way the Taliban continue to blame Russia and vice versa. No efforts to aid deserters in Algeria or France or between the US and Vietnam. If the US exit resembles the Russian exit too closely skirmishers after the war is over will continue on.

Perhaps Afghan President Karzai will make peace with the Taliban if the US doesn't insist on
continuing to make the USSR's mistakes. The following links shows recent changes in the Taliban position toward peace with the Karzai government,
http://tribune.com.pk/story/672731/peace-overtures-taliban-hint-at-temporary-ceasefire/
http://heights.com.pk/story/7245
http://tribune.com.pk/story/671953/latest-peace-overtures-indicate-afghan-talibans-change-of-heart/
http://www.thestatesman.net/news/39587-india-backs-karzai-amidst-afghan-standoff-with-usa.html

There is also movement toward peace between the Taliban and Pakistan,
http://peacenews.org/2014/02/taliban-takes-positive-approach-pakistan-peace-talks-voanews/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Peacenewsorg+%28peacenews.org%29&utm_source=February162014&utm_campaign=Janemail&utm_medium=email

The fact that Karzai will be out of office in April gives the Taliban reason to seek peace very soon. Perhaps the peace agreement will end up very limited such as temporary autonomy for the city of Kabul. I would like to see peace activists and women rights activists raise money for temporary rent for the city of Kabul to remain temporarily free of Sharia Law and mandatory burkas the way the northern tip of Afghanistan in the Wakhan Corridor is,
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/world/asia/28wakhan.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=wakhan+corridor+women+without+burkas&client=firefox-a&hs=ZoI&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=CKQBU5ynFoHJygGYuoHQBg&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1525&bih=695&dpr=0.9#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=KdsOyp4q0zxrBM%253A%3B3VbcqfenHYLq2M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fagustinuswibowo.com%252Fdirectory%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252FbgAfghanistan06-133.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fagustinuswibowo.com%252F3085%252Fkrat-the-wakhi-people-of-krat%3B500%3B375

Perhaps a peace deal will fall apart with the Taliban somewhat quickly in total control but there would be less getting even with what they perceived as traitors if there was a temporary cooling off period.

The peace movement is making a mistake by calling Afghan President Karzai a US puppet. He has at
times actively pursued peace. He treats the Shiite minority with respect, something rare in Sunni
majority counties worldwide. He gets along with India and Iran something Pakistani extremists are
mad at his for. Back in 1992 he was arrested trying to arrange peace between Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and the Burhanuddin Rabbani government. In 2001 Afghans opposed to the Taliban gathered in Germany and appointed Hamid Karzai Chairman of the Governing Committee, the US at that point was in no way in charge. In 2002 Karzai was a candidate for the Nobel Peace prize that was won by Jimmy Carter in the final decision. Earlier Karzai was a close associate of King Zahir Shah who was loved by Afghans the way older Americans long for the Kennedy years, the Age of Camelot. Many Afghan consider the era of King Zahir Shah the good old days.

Back in 2011 efforts at peace with the Taliban included not only Hamad Karzai but the US as well, but Russia vetoed taking many Taliban leaders off the terror list. The US and vestiges of what was once the Mosenden seem like permanent enemies the way India and Pakistan are.
http://www.dw.de/un-proposes-removing-taliban-from-terror-list-to-promote-dialogue/a-6550683
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/04/AR2007070401422_2.html
New trouble started back in 2000 when the Taliban began arming Chechnya rebels,
http://www.afghanistannewscenter.com/news/2000/may/may23d2000.htm

The US after a Soviet styled exit from Afghanistan might never heal. I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi's warnings against what he called the nonviolence of the weak, much of his warning involved the weak giving into the strong in the name of peace.

Not to change the subject. However we have the understanding that to some extent we are giving in to terror if we sacrifice our freedoms in the name of security. But it is even more true that we are giving into terror if we bankrupt ourselves in the name of national security. The African al Qaeda splinter that was behind the underpants bomber, and the package bombs that also didn't go off, bragged about how little they spent compared to how much expense and airport boarding delays they caused. Not at all upset that the bombs didn't explode, in the Christmas Day flight filled with Muslim travelers who took advantage of the low fares that day that would have led to results that the African based al Qaeda terrorists would have in hindsight not wanted.

A Soviet styled withdrawal from Afghanistan is something we should allow Hamid Karzai help us avoid. Thank you Hamid Karzai a great peace leader who has not yet blossomed to his potential.


Warning:

If the If the US and Western European peace movement doesn't switch gears in a hurry and start praising Hamid Karzai, US hawks if not Obama himself might sabotage the Taliban effort even encourage a drone attack at those making peace overtures. The US has very few Arabic translators even allows Saudi Arabia and Yemen government leaders point out terror suspects. If the US let Saudi Arabia decide who is a terrorist in Iraq it would call the Maliki Government leaders terrorists not the Jehadists trying to seize Fallujah which the Saudis are aiding.