DOUBTS ABOUT DEPLOYING MILITIAS IN AFGHANISTAN

Some American military leaders and politicians are arguing in favor of a controversial plan to mobilise tribal militias against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. They see Iraq as a model. At first glance, it would seem to be the obvious solution: why should Nato troops in Afghanistan not collaborate with tribal leaders and their militias, now that the fighting is dragging on? After all, working with militias in Iraq helped get the insurgency under control.

The theory is simple. In exchange for money, weapons and political responsibility, tribal elders and other local leaders could help in the fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Earlier this month, Dutch defence minister Eimert Van Middelkoop – responsible for Dutch soldiers stationed in the province of Uruzgan - was unenthusiastic about the approach.

Antonio Giustozzi, an Afghanistan expert at the London School of Economics, sees it differently. Working with the militias is “the only solution in the short term,” he says. “The Afghan government would naturally prefer its army and police to handle this on their own. But that will take years. So, this strategy is considered the last chance to improve the situation now. The problem is that it could worsen the situation in the long term.”

Giustozzi, who visits the country for three months each year, points out that foreign troops are already utilising militias. “Some countries find them useful: you can work with them, they are in the front line of operations, and they kill Taliban fighters. But the leaders of these militias often antagonise the local population, through extortion, looting and murder. Some are bandits, criminals and psychopaths. If you collaborate with them, you will drive the local people into the arms of the Taliban.” read more (nrc.nl)


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December 15, 2008