COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE US WITHDRAWAL STRATEGIES IN AFGHANISTAN: 1990 and 2014

Abstract

Afghanistan has been the playground for international players since 1970s. The US intervened into Afghanistan in 1970s and 2000s. During both these inroads the interests and the withdrawal strategies of the US were different. This different nature of interests and withdrawal strategies implied different implications on Pakistan. Pakistan has to bear the implication after withdrawal as it was ally of the US during both interventions. According to the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) Afghanistan (mini complex) has direct impact on its neighbor (Pakistan). After the first withdrawal Pakistan opted the policy of assertiveness toward Afghanistan. But, because the nature of second withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan is different, Pakistan opted a different policy of cooperativeness. Pakistan needs to follow this policy of cooperativeness instead of assertiveness as it was back in 1990s to achieve its national interests in Afghanistan.