KABUL (SW): As the U.S. Administration weights its option for new Afghan policy, the Arg [Presidential Palace] in Kabul has underlined the need for comprehensive strategy for the whole region.
Najibullah Azad, deputy spokesman for the president, told Salam Watandar it does not matter if the policy announcement is delayed, what is important is that the policy is comprehensive and beneficial for Afghanistan. Azad said the policy would address the issue of international terrorism.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce his policy for Afghanistan before the end of this month, amid growing concerns about the increasing presence of Daesh and other terrorists groups in the region.
Mohammad Ishaq Atmar, an analyst on defense affairs, said in this regard that the new U.S. Administration seeks an ultimate success in Afghanistan that is why the policy announcement has been delayed for extensive deliberation. Jawed Ghafoor, another expert on strategic affairs, said the conflict in Afghanistan has dragged for too long, and that is why Washington is caustious about new plans to end it soon. “If pressure is increased on Pakistan, and more role is given to India in Afghanistan, and more focus is on the whole region it might win them [Americans] the war”, he said.
The Trump administration will not give USD 350 million in coalition support fund to Pakistan after the US Defence Secretary said that he cannot certify that Islamabad has taken "sufficient actions" against the dreaded Haqqani terror network, an official said on Saturday.
The Pentagon's decision came ahead of a review of US policy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
As a result of the notification by Defence Secretary James Mattis to Congress, the Department of Defence has reprogrammed remaining Coalition Support Funds, which is USD 350 million, to other accounts, Defence Department Spokesman Adam Stump said.
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