Afghanistan Foreign Policy after 9/11.

1. AFGHANISTAN FOREIGN
POLICY AFTER 9/11
University : Pondicherry
Department : South Asian Studies
By : Mohammad Ata Roshangar
Date: 3-17-2015

2. The contents
 A brief profile of Afghanistan
 Definition of foreign policy
 Basic principles and objectives of
Afghanistan foreign policy
 President Karzai’s foreign policy (2001-14)
 National Unity Government (NUG) foreign
policy priorities

3. A short profile of Afghanistan
 Official Name :
I.R of Afghanistan
 Population :32 m
 Official languages :
Dari and Pashto
 Political system :
Presidential
 Current President :
Dr. Ashraf Ghani
Currency : Afghani
 Major Ethnic groups :
Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara
Uzbek and others
Literacy rate:
Female 32% male 62%
Sources :UNESCO, 2011
www.cia.com

4. Definition of Foreign policy
 Plan of action adopted by one nation in regards to
its diplomatic dealings with other countries.
Foreign policies are established as a systematic
way to deal with issues that may arise with other
countries.
Read more: www.businessdictionary.com
 Foreign policy refers to the sum total of principles,
interests and objectives which a country promotes
while interacting with other countries. Even though
there are certain basic features of a foreign policy
it is not a fixed concept.
The thrust of foreign policy keeps on changing
according to changing international conditions.

5. Basic principles of Afghanistan’s foreign
policy
 preserving the:
 independence
 national interests
 territorial integrity
 Non- interference
 good neighborliness
 mutual respect
 equality of rights (article 8 of the constitution)

6. Continue…
 The state shall observe the United Nations Charter
 The inter-state agreements, as well as international treaties
to which Afghanistan has joined, and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights...(article 7)
 Afghanistan is determined to become a member of the
family of pluralistic democracies; and a bridge between the
Islamic World and the West, by pursuing a multilateral ,
cooperative and confident Foreign Policy.

7. Karzai’s foreign policy
 neighboring countries
 Regional Cooperation
 Islamic World
 United States
 United Nations
 EU- NATO
 Terrorism
 Counter narcotics
 Sustainable Development
 Cooperation among civilizations

8. Neighboring countries
 To create Balanced Relations
 To be an equal partner
 to be the catalyst for regional cooperation.
 He was able to create a balanced relation both with Iran and
Pakistan.
 But he was failed to create a balance in his relations with regards to
India and Pakistan

9. Regional Cooperation and Islamic World
Regional initiatives :
 “Kabul Declaration on Good Neighborly Relations”,
December ,2002.
 SAARC membership ,2007
 Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building
Measures in Asia (CICA)
 Economic Cooperation Organization ( ECO )
Islamic world :
 Strengthening relations with all Islamic states
 Support Palestinian rights for self- determination
 Value the role of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

10. United States of America
 Afghanistan- US Strategic Partnership Agreement May 2012
 cooperation in the fields of security, development, civil
society, education, and regional as well as international
issues. 2014-24

11. United Nations
• UN role in “ the Bonn Agreement , 2001
• UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) missions:
 Aiding in Afghanistan's political transition process;
 Supporting the organization of democratic elections;
 Providing and coordinating humanitarian and development
assistance;
 Monitoring and coordinating efforts to protect and enforce
human rights, particularly those of women and children;
 Supporting the peace and reconciliation process; and
Advising and assisting the state in issues of governance and
regional cooperation.

12. EU& NATO
EU goals in Afghanistan include :
• Promoting peace, security and regional stability;
• Reinforcing democracy;
• Encouraging economic and human development
• Fostering the rule of law and respect for human rights, in
particular the rights of women.
 Afghanistan receives more development aid from the EU and
Member States than any other country.
NATO’s role :
• In short term , training, advice and assistance to the Afghan
National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
• In medium term ,continued financial support is being provided to
sustain the ANDSF until the end of 2017.
• In long term , political consultations and practical cooperation in
specific areas will be strengthened within the framework of the
NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership, signed in 2010.

13. Formation of National Unity Government Sept, 2014

14. Five circles of Afghanistan foreign policy

15. Afg- US Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA)
 Key points :
 The BSA goes into force on January 1, 2015 and remains in
force "until the end of 2024 and beyond" unless it is
terminated by either side with two years' notice.
 The document itself does not establish how many U.S. troops
can be in Afghanistan during that time, but U.S. President
Barack Obama announced in May that there would be only
9,800 soldiers after December 31. He also said that number
would decrease rapidly by being halved at the end of 2015
and reduced to only a vestigial force by end of 2016.
 The Associated Press has reported that Washington's plan
calls for fewer than 1,000 soldiers to remain after 2016 to
staff a security office in Kabul advising the Afghan army.

16. Continue…
 The U.S. troops will not be the only foreign troops staying in
Afghanistan.
 Kabul signed a similar agreement with NATO on September 30
to allow 4,000 to 5,000
Additional troops mostly from
UK ,Germany, Italy, and Turkey
To stay in Afghanistan in a
noncombat role after 2014.

17. Why are the U.S & Nato soldiers staying?
 The U.S. forces' mission under the BSA is to "enhance the ability of
Afghanistan to deter internal and external threats against its
sovereignty."
 That includes "advising, training, equipping and sustaining"
Afghanistan's National Defense and Security Forces, which are
those under the ministries of defense and the interior, and "as
appropriate," those of the National Security Directorate, which is a
special counterterrorism office.
 Importantly, however, the BSA says that "unless otherwise mutually
agreed, United States forces shall not conduct combat operations in
Afghanistan." Instead, the emphasis is upon supporting the Afghan
forces, sharing intelligence, and strengthening Afghanistan's air
force capabilities.
 Similarly, the new NATO mission, which is led by the United
States, will focus on training and support for the Afghan army
and police, not on combat.

18. Will America Defend Afghanistan Against Third
Countries?
 The BSA is not a defense pact which would commit the United
States to defending Afghanistan if it were attacked by another
state. But the text does say Washington "shall regard with
grave concern any external aggression or threat of external
aggression.“
 It also says that in the case of external aggression, Washington
and Kabul would work together to develop "an appropriate
response," including considering political, military, and
economic measures.

19. Will the United States Maintain Military Bases In
Afghanistan?
 The BSA authorizes U.S. forces to maintain existing
facilities and undertake new constructions so long as
they are agreed upon by both sides.
 The United States has repeatedly said it does not seek
permanent bases in Afghanistan, despite claims by
Karzai in May last year that Washington wanted nine
bases and that he would not accept it.

20. Existing United States Military Bases In
Afghanistan

21. Reconciliation with the Taliban
o President Ghani : peace is our highest priority and strategic
goal .
o President Ghani ‘s initiatives for peace with the Taliban after
resuming office in 20 Sept , 2014 :
o His first trip to Saudi Arabia to pursue Saudi’s to encourage
Taliban for negotiation with Afghanistan government .
o His trip to China to convince this country to mediate as well as
bring pressure on Pakistan to bring Taliban on negation table .
o His first visit to Pakistan and direct negation with the
Pakistani generals in Rawalpindi to remove mistrust and
facilitate peace process .
o His coming visit to Washington , there he will discus bilateral
issues , peace and presence of American forces in Afghanistan.

22. Taliban’s Preconditions for peace talks
 Complete withdrawal of foreign troops .
 Release of their prisoners from American prisons
 New constitution .

23. Conclusion
 NUG has relatively been successful in its foreign
policy since resuming office on Sept ,2014.
 Its has to keep a smart balance in its regional as
well as international relations .
 For the first time in the last a decade Pakistan has
shown some willingness to bring Taliban on
negotiating table , but we have to see their actions
than their words.
 US and other International community supports is
very important for stability and development of
Afghanistan as well as the success of peace process