BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- The recent assassination attempt on Afghanistan's head of state Hamid Karzai shows that this country is turning into Iraq with respect to security and stability. This latest armed attack has been the fourth one against the Karzai for the last seven years. And this may not be the last one.
If a country's leader can easily face an assassination attempt in an official ceremony, it means that opposite forces have become powerful enough to do this.
Thus, Taliban has gained a psychological success. This development puts forward that Taliban, who has established 'safe regions' especially in eastern provinces, now began to implement 'urban activities' which are psychologically more influential. As matter of fact, militants have recently intensified their attacks on civilians in Kabul.
What was the aim?
This is a serious blow to the US and its allies which toppled Taliban and brought Karzai into power seven years ago.
The US had invaded Afghanistan to save the country from an outdated Taliban regime which was also seen as a terrorist threat. Even though Washington have also served its own strategic and economic interests in the region, international community had lent full support to the initiative in order to provide freedom, stability and modern standards of living to Afghan people. A 60-thousand international force (ISAF) is still on duty towards this end.
But, recent developments prove that the US and its allies failed in this mission and Taliban has risen again across the country, even in the capital.
Nevertheless, Karzai administration, backed by the coalition forces, has obtained certain success. The country has gotten free of its outdated rule, a system which is more respectful to human rights (especially to women rights) has been established. State administration has gained a more modern structure. In addition, a new army has been established.
What is the result?
At the beginning, Taliban seemed to be cowered, but soon loomed large. It intensified its attacks not only against the coalition forces, but also against Afghan civilians. Newly established 70-thousand troops couldn't be powerful enough to defeat the militants due to lack of training, discipline and military equipment.
Now the duty was left to the coalition forces. But, as most of the troops don't have the combatant status, Taliban seized an opportunity to act rather easily.
In a nutshell, today, international community's mission in Afghanistan faces a threat of failure. Of course, this development doesn't justify Taliban's aims and methods. We still remember what kind of a country he has tried to establish in the past . But if the international community doesn't display more influential existence in the country, events will continue to develop in favor of Taliban.