DHAMUN XIV GA1: DISEC Chair Report

“Maintenance of International Security - Examining Foreign Involvement in

President chair: Faisal Ahmed ​ Co-chairs: Darin Balid, Vishesh Jain ​

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2

Introduction 3

Definition of Key Terms 4

Major Parties Involved and their Views 5

Timeline of Events 6

Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue 11

Relevant United Nation Documents & Other Sources 12

Questions to Consider 12

Possible Solutions 13

Conclusion 14

Works Cited 15

I. Introduction

Historically, Afghanistan has been an important country. This landlocked country connects eastern and western Asia, bordering nations include China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan,

Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Its capital, Kabul, had been a trade hub for centuries that brought together merchants from the Middle East and China. As a result, Afghanistan became sought after soil. Notably, the British Empire and Soviet Union aimed to control Afghanistan in the late

19th and 20th centuries. The interests of nations in Afghanistan led to nearly constant conflict.

This turmoil escalated into a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, known as the Soviet Afghan War. In this war the Soviet-backed Afghan government battled the mujahideen (backed by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan), and eventually the Soviet

Union agreed to withdraw troops in 1988.

After the upheaval of the communist Soviet-backed government a number of groups emerged, all striving to seize power of Afghanistan. Out of all these groups, the emerged. The Taliban was founded by former mujahideen soldiers who sought to eliminate the corruption that ensued in the post-war chaos. By 2001, the Taliban controlled nine tenths of

Afghanistan territory. Even though many countries recognized the Taliban as the government of

Afghanistan, they were not granted seats by the United Nations, because of their harsh treatment of women, and illicit activity in general. Furthermore, one of their leaders, Osama Bin Laden, was accused of organizing the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001. The Taliban refused to extradite their leader. Thus, the United States began their campaign against the Taliban and their

mission to instate a different government that would be more responsible. Conflict between the

Taliban and the United States has been ongoing ever since.

Recently, though, the United States had initiated peace-talks with Taliban leaders in early

2019. However, these earlier talks were cut short after the Taliban took the lives of a number of

US soldiers. These talks were then reinitiated in December of 2019. These peace-talks are particularly interesting because they are not Afghan-led, which was the initial stance of the

United States regarding negotiations with the Taliban. Allegedly these peace-talks would have resulted in a ceasefire, under the condition that the United States withdrew their troops. In our committee we seek to resolve the political turmoil in Afghanistan and ensure international security.

II. Definition of Key Terms

Security - As defined by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(OCHA), has 7 categories:

1. Economic: creation of employment and measures against poverty. ​ 2. Food: measures against hunger and famine. ​ 3. Health: measures against disease, unsafe food, malnutrition and lack of access to basic ​ health care.

4. Environmental: measures against environmental degradation, resource depletion, natural ​ disasters and pollution.

5. Personal: measures against physical violence, crime, terrorism, domestic violence and ​ child labour

6. Community: measures against inter-ethnic, religious and other identity tensions. ​ 7. Political: measures against political repression and human rights abuses. ​ Insurgency - “an attempt to take control of a country by force”

III. Major Parties Involved and their Views

Afghan Taliban - wants to establish a strict Shariah-Islamic government in Afghanistan, and ​ seeks to oust US troops and other foreign influence that supports the current government. The

Aghan Taliban also has control of over 14 districts in Afghanistan which is 4% of the country. In

addition, the Afghan Taliban has influence in 66% of the country.

Afghan Government - Runs on an Islamic Republic democracy, and has been accused of ​ corruption in their elections. They are willing to negotiate a ceasefire and end the conflict in

Afghanistan.

United States - The United States began their military involvement in Afghanistan after the ​ events of September 11, 2001 in a proclaimed war on terror. They have remained there since as

they have tried to eliminate the threat of the Taliban. However, recently the president has

allegedly initiated talks to end the US influence in Afghanistan.

Pakistan - A bordering nation of Afghanistan, has significant stake in the conflict of ​ Afghanistan, because an unstable Afghanistan negatively impacts Pakistan as there are similar

terrorist organization and networks in those regions. Furthermore, Pakistan seeks to limit Indian

influence in Afghanistan.

Russia - This nation has had interests in Afghanistan for a long time, but because of Western ​ influence (British and American) they failed to occupy Afghanistan. Russia does seek to end

Western influence in the region so they can expand their own influence in the region, and

country specifically.

IV. Timeline of Events

1973- Republic of Afghanistan

With the help of the minority party “People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA)”, former

prime minister General Mohammed Daud seized power in a coup, overthrowing King

Mohammed Zahir Shah, and declared a republic. Initially, Daud was certain that ties with the

Soviet Union would help Afghanistan expand its control, but changed his mind upon noticing the

Soviet’s desire to control them, and the relations between them deteriorated.

1978- Saur Revolution

After growing suppression and the suspicious murder of an important PDPA member, General

Daoud loses support from the party as fears developed that he was trying to eliminate them.

Shortly after, PDPA leads a pro-Soviet coup against the government, which results in killing

President Daoud, thus gaining control. However, their power was paralyzed by internal fighting.

1979- Soviet Intervention

The new government initiated radical reforms and forged close relations with the Soviet Union,

but had little public support considering the large Muslim, anti-communist population in

Afghanistan, which lead to uprisings known collectively as “Mujahideen”. As a result, in

December of 1979, the Soviet Army invaded Afghanistan to shore up their communist government amidst conflict with the anti-communist Muslim guerrillas.

1980- Money and Arms

Opposition intensifies as foreign support pours in from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, and the United States to back the Mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet Union.

1986- Stinger Effect

US began supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles. After this, the Mujahideen supposedly never lost a battle.

1988 –Farewell

After a brutal nine year conflict, Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan signed peace accords and Soviet Union began withdrawing troops. The Soviet Union’s exit strategy involved training the Afghan armed forces to continue the fight against the Mujahideen on their own.

1989- Afghan Civil War

Civil war raged after the withdrawal, between the government and mujahideen, still financially supported by the USSR. Heavy bombardment and barbaric atrocities ensued.

1996- A new era

The conflict continued until 1996, when the Taliban, a militia backed by Pakistan, seized control of Kabul, established the Islamic State of Afghanistan, and introduced a hard-line version of

Islam which restricted human rights.

1998- US involvement

USA launched missile strikes at suspected bases of Osama Bin Laden, who was accused of bombing US embassies in Africa.

2001- A Northern Alliance Assassination

Ahmad Shah Massoud, commander of the Northern Alliance, an anti-Taliban coalition, is assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives, which deals a harsh blow to the Taliban resistance efforts.

2001- 9/11

Close to three thousand people in the US died in these attacks, where four commercial airliners were hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists and crashed. The US invasion of Afghanistan followed a month later, where The U.S. military, with British support, began a bombing campaign against

Taliban forces, who were providing a safe base for Al-Qaeda. They succeeded in removing the

Taliban from power, as they gave up their last stronghold in December.

2002- ISAF

The UN Security Council deployed the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), a NATO led security mission to provide basic security for the people of Afghanistan and assist the interim administration.

2010- The Dutch Call Quits

Netherlands is the first country to announce withdrawal of its troops in Afghanistan.

2011- Osama Bin Laden Killed

Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, responsible for the 9/11 attacks, is killed by U.S. forces in

Pakistan.

2012- Kandahar massacre

US Army Sgt is accused of killing 16 civilians and wounding 6 others in an armed rampage in the Panjwai district of Kandahar.

2012- NATO Withdrawal Plan

Leaders in NATO summit endorse the plan to withdraw foreign combat troops by the end of

2014.

2012 – Aid

Tokyo donor conference pledges $16bn in civilian aid to Afghanistan up to 2016, with US,

Japan, Germany and UK being the biggest contributors.

2014 –ISAF is No More

On December 28th, NATO formally ends its 13-year combat mission in Afghanistan, transferring full security responsibility to the Afghan government. As ISAF’s successor, the

NATO-led Operation Resolute Support was formed the same day. Despite the official end to

ISAF's combat role, violence persisted across much of the country, with 2014 said to be the bloodiest year in Afghanistan since 2001.

2015- Postponed

US President announces that his country will delay its troop withdrawal from

Afghanistan, following a request from President Ashraf Ghani.

2017 -IS and US

Rise in Islamic State activities reported in a number of northern and southern provinces. The

United States drops its most powerful non-nuclear bomb, colloquially known as “the mother of all bombs,” on suspected Islamic State militants at a cave complex in eastern Nangarhar

Province.

2018- Taliban Reemerges

Bomb-laden ambulance explodes in Kabul, killing more than 100 people, one of ongoing attacks attributed to the Taliban. It is thought to be in response to Trump’s Afghanistan plan, which included deploying more troops across rural Afghanistan.

2019- Possibility of Peace

On 25 February 2019, prolonged peace talks began between the Taliban and the United States in

Qatar, aimed at finding a political settlement with the insurgent group and ending the war in

Afghanistan.

V. Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue ➢ 1988- Geneva Accords Set of agreements signed between Pakistan and Afghanistan, provided the Soviet Union carries out its troop withdrawal as promised. ➢ 1999 - Sanctions UN imposes an air embargo and financial sanctions to force Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden for trial. ➢ 2001- Bonn Agreement Aimed at re-creating the State of Afghanistan after the US invasion, it brought together different Afghan groups, established an Interim Authority, and called for the UN to assist in the formation of a national army. ➢ 2006- International Conference on Afghanistan, London It centered around developing international cooperation with Afghanistan, resulting in a political commitment, The Afghanistan Compact, which advocated for increased security, drug reduction, and economic and social development among many others. ➢ 2019- US Relaunches Peace Talks with Taliban US representatives meet with insurgent negotiators in Doha, Qatar; where they are based.

VI. Relevant United Nation Documents & Other Sources ● United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

● 1951 Refugee Convention

● Agreement on Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan Pending the Re-establishment of

Permanent Government Institutions

● Declaration of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan

● Resolution 1390 (2002)

VII. Questions to Consider

❏ ​Which countries have major stances on the topic and what have they done ?

❏ Why were previous peace talks seized ?

❏ Have the Taliban or neighboring organizations broken treaties ?

❏ How will Afghanistan look like after the abandonment of the US in the region?

❏ What was done previously in terror stricken countries ?

❏ How important is foreign involvement in the region ?

❏ Should foreign aid and intervention be reduced or augmented ?

❏ How can foreign involvement help Afghanistan economically ?

❏ How can foreign involvement help Afghanistan socially ?

❏ What war crimes have been committed and who should be held responsible?

VIII. Possible Solutions ● A possible solution to the problem would be to integrate Afghani military leaders in the

peace talks between the US and the Taliban so that they are well aware of as well as have

a say in the future of their country. This is very important, because currently, the Afghani

officials don’t lead the content talks between the Americans and the Taliban and this will

help start a gradual shift of power from the US and the Taliban to Afghanistan.

● Youth awareness and education programs are a good side solution. Many youngsters

throughout the nation are being attracted to the Taliban. This is a dangerous element as

this will fuel the followers of this blind faith and will not solve the problem from its

roots. New awareness programs will help teach these kids to think about their future from

an early age, and teach about the importance of life, and how they can make good and

productive use of it.

● Include the ECOSOC to help in the formation and availability of jobs in the country. One

of the reasons, the Taliban is a popular option for people is due to the lack of employment

and this act will try to weaken that factor. A safe and reliable source of employment will

lead to less dependence on these terrorist organizations. This will also help lift the

country economically and stabilize it.

● Hindering other countries to take part in these discussions and to be a part of the business

of Afghanistan. This step is very important as this will be the backbone of the solution to

be discussed. As aforementioned, many countries are being affected by the political

turmoil in the region and this step will stop them from taking any significant action.

● Another widely supported solution can be the waging of war. The Taliban has been a

major troublemaker in the region and sometimes the only solution to these problems is

war. A solution hinted towards a lot by the international committee can be the waging of

war against the Taliban where major world powers will send military and end the Taliban

once and for all.

● Stopping US interaction with the Taliban can be another way to go about the problem.

Many Afghani soldiers believe that it is important for Afghanistan to be in control and

this can easily be done if the US is substituted out of the equation. This might affect

Afghan-American relations but it may have a long lasting effect on the problem.

● A solution advocated by the other members of the UN is the participation of other

countries in the peace talks between the US and Taliban and them proposing new

solutions as well as stationing their armies in the region. As stated above, many countries

are more than eager to come and join the war zone and help eradicate the problem.

IX. Conclusion

More than 2 million war deaths have occurred since 1978 as the Afghanistan conflict

persists decades later. Delegates must devise a solution which investigates the question of

foreign involvement in Afghanistan, incriminating or absolving those responsible for war

crimes, rebuilding Afghanistan in all aspects, and dealing with the remaining terrorist

groups to finally find peace in country where it seemed impossible. The focus should be

primarily military and weapons based, seeing as it is DISEC.

Works Cited

Tran, Thang. “Getting Peace Right in Afghanistan: A Political Solution to a Military Problem.”

Atlantic Council, Atlantic Council, 20 Aug. 2019, ​ www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/getting-peace-right-in-afghanistan-a-political-solu tion-to-a-military-problem/.

“Afghanistan: Introduction.” >> GlobalEDGE: Your Source for Global Business Knowledge, ​ ​ globaledge.msu.edu/countries/afghanistan.

Felbab-Brown, Vanda. “Pakistan's Relations with Afghanistan and Implications for Regional

Politics.” Brookings, Brookings, 28 July 2016, ​ ​ www.brookings.edu/research/pakistans-relations-with-afghanistan-and-implications-for-re

gional-politics/.

“MMP: Afghan Taliban.” FSI, ​ ​ cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/afghan-taliban#text_block_16833.

“National Security versus Global Security | UN Chronicle.” United Nations, United Nations, ​ ​ unchronicle.un.org/article/national-security-versus-global-security.

“Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: Find Definitions, Translations, and Grammar Explanations at

Oxford Learner's Dictionaries.” Oxford Learner's Dictionaries | Find Definitions, ​ Translations, and Grammar Explanations at Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, ​ www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/.