| This study intends to clarify how domestic and geopolitical features of Afghanistan have led American counterinsurgency(COIN)policy through a predicament.America invaded Afghanistan to defeat terrorism,protect people and make a democratic government.In contrasts,during these years not only terrorist groups were not demolished but,also,bypassing years have become more powerful.If America wants to have a successful COIN,paying close attention to these features must be considered.The findings have shown that American COIN strategy has failed in Afghanistan because it was operated as a military-centric approach in Afghanistan which in this approach the main focus is on defeating the physical threat of insurgent organization.As the Afghan insurgency is an indigenous insurgency,it is a result of conflicts among the Afghan society with its historical background.so,this approach needs to change to population-centric approach.In this approach,the main focus is not only on the battlefield but also,on the internal and external roots of the insurgency.During sixteen years of COIN experience in Afghanistan,always supportive domestic and geopolitical factors play a Reviving role for terrorist groups.These factors have very deep interdependence with each other and have led the American counterinsurgency to a serious challenge.Internally,the design affected government established by America is one of the most centralized states in the world.By considering of bloody ethnical wars in the recent four decades of the country,this kind of political system cannot bring stability.More importantly,the Pashtun racism and flowingly extreme ethnicity rivalry conflict fuel insurgency indirectly.The president Karzai and Ghani are proPashtun policy,so making a national identity is out of the question.In doing so,COIN cannot gain the public support because they look like to support one fragmentation of society.Definitely,when religious Maddaress and educational system encouraging radical thoughts,it would not be possible for the COIN to stop reemerges of the terrorist fighters in the long-term procedure.Regionally,COIN strategy shall not be successful when Taliban has sanctuaries in Pakistan and Iran and in connection with Russia.The Durand Line and the presence of India is the root of the conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.The Afghan government has not accepted publicly the Durand line as an international border with Pakistan.this makes Pakistan sees its territory in danger with a stable and powerful Afghanistan.Besides,Indian presence in Afghanistan is another element that Pakistan is giving sanctuaries to Taliban.The same level,Iran is worry about American military presence in its neighborhood.Also,the common River is a source of conflicts between two countries.Iran did not deny their relationship with Taliban.In this relationship,Iran is giving those safe sanctuaries and weapon to the insurgent.Even if the COIN will be successful inside Afghan territory,the insurgencies will regain power in neighborhood countries.Russia’s concern is mostly on the presence of insurgent groups especially in Afghanistan and their possible spread through central Asia.This study is divided into five chapters.In Chapter 1,we will clarify the research structure such introduction,the background of the study,significant of study,main argument,research questions and theoretical framework.Notably,in literature review will illustrate the fundamental bases of insurgency and counterinsurgency features.In chapter 2,the goals and experience of American counterinsurgency in Afghanistan will be reviewed and analyzed respectively.The aim of COIN in Afghanistan will include three elements which are protecting Afghan people from insecurity,defeating terrorist groups and establishing an acceptable government.In the third chapter,the domestic characteristics that led to the failure of the COIN have been discussed.These features include extreme ethnicity ties among the people of Afghanistan,radical Islam,and inefficient educational system,and political system that is incompatible with the nature of the country.Ethnicity conflicts will destroy meritocracy and increase tensions among the tribes.The teaching Radical Islam and the defective educational system will strengthen the long-term fundamentalism that will neutralize all COIN efforts to stop reproducing of the terrorists.The inefficient political system cannot meet the needs of the people because it is not based on indigenous needs.In chapter 4,the geopolitical actors that reinforce terrorism in Afghanistan are addressed.The United States has not paid attention to them accurately.Countries like Pakistan,Iran and Russia have active presence in Afghanistan.Pakistan based on a historical dispute with Afghanistan over the Durand Line and also India’s active presence is doubtful to assist COIN program in Afghanistan.Iran worries about the military presence of its own ideological opponent,America,in the neighboring country.In chapter 5,it is recommended that COIN should change its policy to populationcentric approach.The structure of Afghan government should change to federalism or some more power distribution system which is more suitable for the postconflict Multi-ethnic countries.Also,religious Maddaress and educational content should be changed according to medium Islam.Moreover,the Afghan government should cut the relationship between these schools with foreign countries because most of these religious Maddaress are supported financially by Pakistan and Iran.Regionally,explicit negotiation should be done on the fundamental conflicts between America and Afghanistan with Pakistan,Iran,and Russia which should lead to dismantling sanctuaries. |
