Boarder Issues and Improving Support for Afghanistan's Future

By Danielle Nelson

Afghanistan and the coalition forces are looking to gain more support from other countries as the coalition drawdown at the end of 2014 approaches. Although the coalition forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan, the country is still going to need support in order maintain stability. This summer, a conference was held to determine financial aid from international supporters and the conditions required of the Afghan government. The U.S. Secretary of State met with the foreign minister of Pakistan to amend relationships within the region but continued violence has made progress difficult.

A conference of international donors was held on July 8th in Japan to help secure the economic future of Afghanistan. Representatives from 70 countries attended the conference and pledged to give 16 billion dollars in financial aid to Afghanistan over the next four years. The money will help to stimulate economic development through infrastructure projects as well as schools and health clinics. Included in the pledge was an agreement that Afghanistan must take measures to limit corruption within the government in order to receive the full amount of aid. This requirement will help to establish rule by law and increase the legitimacy of the Afghan government. Ultimately, the pledge provides outside support for Afghanistan’s economic future to help the country thrive in the post war years.

Following the conference, Secretary of State Clinton met with the foreign minister of Pakistan for the first time since a conflict that occurred this past winter. Pakistan had closed down the primary road used by the United States for moving military supplies into Afghanistan in response to American airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Clinton apologized for the soldiers’ deaths a week ago and the Pakistani officials opened the road again. At the meeting Clinton expressed the need for Pakistan’s support in shutting down the Haqqani terrorist network that operates along the boarder region. Despite this step forward, Afghanistan’s relationship with Pakistan remains on edge as violence continues along the boarder region of the two states.

Afghanistan is threatening to turn in Pakistan to the UN Security Council for launching rocket attacks across the boarder. The attacks have been occurring for several months and have killed four Afghan civilians. The Taliban was believed to be responsible for the attacks but Afghan officials now say that they finally have enough evidence for Pakistan to be held accountable. Afghanistan will attempt to have diplomatic talks with Pakistan to try to resolve the issue but if Pakistan does not respond and stop the attacks, Afghan officials will report it to the UN. Cooperation between the two countries is necessary as terrorist cells continue to cause violence on both sides of the boarder.

Taliban militants crossed the Pakistani border on July 12th and took the village of Kitkot hostage. The attackers are believed to have been targeting the village’s anti-Taliban militia. The fighting resulted in the death of 12 militants and two militiamen while eight were also wounded. There are no reports of civilian deaths even though many were held hostage or stranded in their homes during the fighting. Pakistani officials are upset that the Afghan and coalition forces have not been doing more to prevent these attacks that are occurring more frequently across the boarder. On the other hand, Afghan and coalition forces have been urging Pakistan to take greater control of the boarder region that remains a stronghold for the Taliban and the Haqqani terrorist network.