OP-ED: 'Pakistan is caught today in a web of complex geopolitics and internal strife. Standing between it and total collapse are a smattering of political forces and discipline within the military. If either is undermined, it will be the end'

from thenews.pk....

"It is hard to find an overriding reason for the continued US and NATO presence in Afghanistan. If the stated purpose of denying Al-Qaeda a base is taken at face value, it stands partially achieved. The Afghan Taliban are ready to distance themselves from it and a majority of Al-Qaeda-allied militants are no longer in the country. 

The death of Osama bin Laden, while symbolic, also signifies attrition in top ranks of the organisation. Its viability as a coherent entity with a unified command structure is seriously in doubt. Yet, the Americans are keen to have a continuing presence in Afghanistan with up to 50,000 troops permanently stationed there.

What this implies is that the war in Afghanistan is unlikely to end soon. While the Taliban led by Mullah Omar are ready to talk, their principle demand of no foreign forces in the country cannot be met if the Americans are determined to remain there. Even President Karzai, who is an American creation, has begun to describe the US-Nato presence in the country as an occupation force"............LINK