The United States Geo-Political Imperatives in Afghanistan (2001-2020)

Abstract

Global players have national interests and their foreign policy revolves around energy security, strategic economic interests and how to access mineral and energy reserves. Afghanistan strategic location provides access and proximity to the West Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia but peace and stability inside Afghanistan is a question of the day. Since 9/11 (2001) the United States engagement in Afghanistan was to defeat, disrupt and dismantle Al-Qaeda and Taliban. The two decades of the US engagement has not served the stated policy parameters and despite the costs the US wants to prolong its presence for serving the national interests. So the underlying policy lines are essential to be investigated hence the paper theme is what are the Geo-political imperatives of the United States in Afghanistan. Recently, the US- Taliban peace agreements have been concluded whereby the two sides agreed that all foreign forces would have to leave Afghanistan within a stipulated period of time whereas the US will have to withdraw from its military bases leaving control to the interim government. A ceasefire will come into effect only after withdrawal of foreign forces has begun. The United States have invested more than $ 1 trillion in Afghanistan during the last more than nineteen years and has lost more than four thousand lives with thousands having been wounded. Washington would like to ensure that Afghanistan remains stable and that it does not become a safe haven for anti-US militants. The US wants an access to the natural resources of Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics and to contain China. These realities of the situation are making Afghanistan a very important determinant of the US foreign policy.