Afghan armed forces members have called upon President Hamid Karzai to sign a deal with the United States that would keep a limited number of American troops in the country past 2014. The Afghan armed forces members, who are fighting a resurgence of Taliban militia members, openly urged the President to sign the agreement, despite being told to remain silent on the issue.
A senior Afghan military official was quoted as saying "If the international community leaves, there is no question that we will lose ground to the Taliban." Col. Mohammad Dost continued by stating "It's the biggest worry for every soldier now." Col. Dost, who spoke publicly of his support for the deal on an Afghan news network, has been placed on leave and expects to be removed from his duties.
The security agreement reached between Karzai and the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry went into effect last November. However, President Karzai has refused to sign the deal himself, appearing content to leave the matter to his successor- elections will be held April 5, 2014. The agreement currently funds Afghan soldiers and even pays their salaries. By not signing the agreement, the country- which has been the beneficiary of more than $50B in U.S. aid, will lose vital military support such as artillery training and aircraft support.
-William B. Robinson
#PSC222
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