Faridabad: The City That’s Always Under Construction (Even in Heaven’s Project Plan)

If you ever wanted to experience a live simulation of “Work in Progress,” welcome to Faridabad — the city where construction is not an activity, it’s a culture. You don’t “live” in Faridabad; you simply “navigate” it — like an obstacle course designed by civil engineers who ran out of caffeine and common sense at the same time.

Faridabad: The City That’s Always Under Construction  

Welcome to Faridabad — the city that’s been “under construction” since forever. If you live here, you already know that no road is ever truly finished, and every new project comes with a promise and a pothole. It’s like living inside a never-ending episode of Roads & Repairs.

Roads to Somewhere (Someday)

Let’s start with the “fantastic” road network — the kind that would make even Google Maps sigh audibly. The city now boasts shiny new highways, underpasses, and flyovers that give an illusion of progress. You look at them and think, “Wow, finally!” Then you drive for five minutes and realize — the road ends in a crater big enough to qualify as a UNESCO heritage site.

Faridabad’s motto should be: “We build roads faster than we fix them.” In one corner, the municipal corporation is proudly laying down interlocking tiles; in the next, the water department is digging them up to check a pipe that didn’t even exist yesterday. The Public Works Department calls it “coordination.” We call it “teamwork between confusion and chaos.”

Here, the engineering brilliance is unmatched. Our talented civil engineers and contractors have mastered the art of placing sewer manholes higher than the road surface. The result? When it rains, the water flows beautifully over the manholes instead of into them. Not a drop gets wasted on actual drainage! The roads turn into mini swimming pools, and driving becomes an adventure sport.

Drainage — The MCF Masterclass

But wait, the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) deserves a standing ovation. Their genius shines brightest during monsoon preparations. Weeks before the rains, they heroically de-silt the drains, remove all the debris — and leave it neatly beside the drain, waiting for the first rainfall to sweep it right back in. It’s a perfect system of recycling — only without any logic.

It makes you wonder if anyone is actually in charge or if the city just runs on autopilot. The process is repeated every year with a new tender and old excuses. Somewhere, a management consultant is taking notes. 

Garbage: Our Unofficial City Mascot

No discussion about Faridabad is complete without acknowledging its most consistent performer — the piles of garbage. They are everywhere: on roads, near schools, under flyovers, beside temples, and sometimes inside your soul.

These garbage mounds aren’t just heaps — they’re landmarks. “Take a left from the second garbage hill, right after the open drain, and you’ll reach the metro station.” Urban design at its finest.

The government has put up boards saying “Clean Faridabad, Green Faridabad.” But the boards themselves are half-buried under trash. It would be funny if it wasn’t so true.

Encroachment: The People’s Development Model

In Faridabad, everyone believes in equal rights — especially the right to occupy public land. Pavements, green belts, and service lanes are treated like personal property. If there’s an open space, someone will build something on it.

The shopkeepers are no less creative. For them, the footpath isn’t meant for walking — it’s a great place to set up a stall, park a scooter, or build an extra counter. After all, who needs space to walk when you can sell tea or momos instead?

And when the authorities finally come to clear the area, the shopkeepers simply move a few feet back and return before the dust settles. It’s like a local dance — two steps back, two steps forward, and business goes on as usual.

Traffic: Our Favorite Pastime

Traffic congestion in Faridabad isn’t a problem — it’s a festival that happens daily, twice a day, without fail. The roads are so jammed that even the cows have started using Google Maps.

Traffic lights exist merely for decorative purposes — like street jewelry. The average driver interprets red as “speed up,” amber as “horn loudly,” and green as “go whichever way you like.”

At every intersection, you’ll find a self-appointed philosopher uncle who insists, “Yahan toh sab chalta hai.” True, Uncle. Everything does chalta hai — except traffic.

Water, Water… Nowhere (But for Sale)

Scarcity of water is Faridabad’s version of seasonal depression — it comes every few months but never really leaves. Every summer, taps go dry, and people line up like it’s the launch of a new iPhone — only, this one doesn’t come with a warranty.

But here’s the twist — illegal water extraction thrives! Tankers roam the streets like black-market superheroes, selling back the same water they “borrowed” from under your feet. You call it theft; they call it “water entrepreneurship.”

So, while your society WhatsApp group debates borewell depth, someone nearby is running a full-fledged water start-up — “Startup India” style.

Brilliantly Engineered Accountability

Every few months, a new civic blunder emerges that deserves a documentary. Whether it’s manholes above road level, open drains beside schools, or the grand “drain-cleaning-but-don’t-take-away-the-debris” strategy — Faridabad’s decision-making process feels like a reality show called “Guess Who’s Accountable?” Spoiler: no one ever wins.

The creativity and intelligence displayed in these projects make one wonder — are these mistakes, or is this next-level innovation? Maybe Faridabad isn’t failing; maybe it’s conducting a massive social experiment on how long citizens can survive in puddles of bureaucratic genius.

Accountability in Faridabad is like clean air — everyone talks about it, but no one has actually seen it.

Development: The Eternal Work-in-Progress

Every few years, leaders promise a “New Faridabad.” And every year, we see the same old problems with new signboards. Roads are rebuilt, re-dug, and re-announced — a continuous loop of hope and repair.

But despite all this, the people of Faridabad never give up. They laugh, they complain, they honk, and they move on. After all, living here teaches you patience, flexibility, and the fine art of dodging potholes like a pro.

Conclusion: The City That Never Finishes

Faridabad isn’t broken — it’s just forever under construction. Every road, every drain, every new project carries that eternal promise: “Work in Progress.”

And maybe that’s what gives this city its charm — it’s not perfect, but it’s proudly unfinished.

Because in Faridabad, development doesn’t conclude —

it simply begins again.

Photo courtesy - Google

If you were hoping for a diplomatic bromance, you may want to sit down first (preferably with popcorn). Because the saga of Donald Trump and India reads less like a buddy-movie and more like a tragicomedy with tariff grenades and surprise plot twists.

Donald Trump, “Friend of India”? More Like Frenemy With Benefits

“Being an enemy of the USA is dangerous, but being a friend is fatal.”

— Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger must’ve had a crystal ball because Donald Trump has turned his quote into a real-life experiment—starring India. Because if friendship were a Netflix series, Trump’s role is less “best buddy” and more “that toxic ex who says sweet things but maxes out your credit card.”   

The Indian Cheerleaders’ Dream Team

When Trump first got elected, Indians practically broke their wrists clapping. Indians threw rallies in New Jersey chanting “Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar,” as if Modi and Trump were about to start a boy band together. He praised Modi, he praised Indians, he even mangled Hindi at rallies. For a moment, it looked like a match made in diplomatic heaven.

 

But fast-forward past his re-election, and what did India get? Not hugs, not trade deals, not Bollywood cameos—just tariffs, deportations, and lectures. Indians were like fans at a cricket match cheering their hero, only to find out he switched sides mid-innings. The bromance was downgraded to a one-way situationship.

Tariff Tantrums: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, India Pay 50% Or Screw You

Trump’s idea of friendship comes with an invoice. His administration slapped punitive tariffs on Indian exports—sometimes up to 50%. That’s not a “deal,” that’s daylight robbery with paperwork.

 

And when India bought Russian oil to keep its economy alive, Trump basically said: “Stop it, or I’ll ground you.” Never mind that the U.S. and Europe were swimming in Russian gas like it was a pool party. India, apparently, had to stick to coconut water.

Deportation Airlines: Non-Stop Service, Chains Included

As if tariffs weren’t romantic enough, Trump sent around 100 Indians back home on a U.S. military plane—handcuffed and leg-chained. Imagine being treated like hardened criminals, when your only crime was chasing the “American Dream.” If this is how friends are treated, enemies must be getting spa vouchers.

Pakistan: The Side Chick With Minerals

And then—plot twist! While India was being slapped with tariffs and sanctions, Trump was busy cozying up to Pakistan.

• White House invites for Shehbaz Sharif
• Trade and energy deals on the table
• Pakistan offering rare earth minerals like it’s selling kebabs at a street fair

Critics even say Trump’s family business interests in Pakistan greased these decisions . Translation: geopolitics, but make it retail.

It’s like India thought it was in a monogamous relationship, only to find Trump secretly swiping right on Pakistan for access to rare earths.

The Friendship Math: India Gets Tariffs, Pakistan Gets Selfies

Let’s tally this up:

• India: tariffs, deportations, sanctions.
• Pakistan: trade deals, hugs, and Trump family LinkedIn endorsements.

This is less “Art of the Deal” and more “Art of Playing Both Sides Until Someone Pays for My Golf Course.”

 

Final Plot Twist

So what have we learned?

• Kissinger was right—being America’s “friend” can be fatal.

• Indians who cheered Trump got scorn, tariffs, and deportations in return.

• Trump’s “bestie” act with Modi turned out to be more like a one-sided WhatsApp chat.

But here’s the kicker: if India, a resourceful country with a trillion-dollar economy, is being kicked around like this by Trump the “friend,” imagine what will happen to Pakistan once his personal interests dry up. India can absorb pressure, recalibrate, and push back. Pakistan? Not so much. When Trump moves on, Islamabad may be left holding nothing but promises and overdue invoices.

So yes, Trump might be India’s “friend.” But if this is friendship, enemies are probably better off.

Image courtesy: Google

Russian bear has been on edge for some time, questioning NATO's need to poke Russia in the eye. The endless conflict in Ukraine, with constant Western assistance to extend the war and undermine Russia at the expense of Ukrainian lives and damage. The further the battle lasts, the more death and damage there will be.

Has Russia Won the Battle But Lost the War?

If you listen carefully to Russian President Putin's comments, one thing becomes clear: he never desired a conflict with the West. Forget about direct confrontation; Russia's President has made it clear that conflict, even on a minor scale, is out of the question, and all he wants from Western countries (read NATO) is for them to leave Russia alone. He was not in the mindset or position to oppose the united economic, political, and military might.

According to his interviews, Russia presented no threat to the United States, but rather the opposite. The United States is still attempting to limit Russia's might and confine it on its own border. 

Russia has already lost political and economic capital as a result of its disintegration; what it did in Ukraine was to rescue its honour; otherwise, Russia would be balkanized. The United States and its allies were hellbent on eradicating Russian influence, but despite their best efforts, the stage is getting tough for the American war machine to win all fights. Since its rash choice to strike Saddam Hussein's Iraq, it has repeatedly tasted defeat and lost face. 

The West is gradually losing its enthusiasm for fighting wars, and the Taliban's incredible success in Afghanistan appears to be a new reminder of the United States' inevitable demise. We are addressing a time when China, despite its inherent flaws, is slowly but steadily catching up with the United States on all development metrics, and some argue has already left it behind in many areas.

The problem with the US is the ego battle with Russia, and I believe the conclusion of the Syrian war, in which Russia effectively gained a foothold while the US lost all of its friends, was the tipping point. I believe Putin made the error of celebrating his achievement too soon and too loudly, which rubbed the US ego the wrong way, resulting in the Ukraine-Russia confrontation. Russia must learn from China's method of quietly building strength while remaining amicable even with foes.

Everyone in this situation has something to learn. The West, which is mired in its own turmoil of multiculturalism and human rights lobbies, is fighting and losing a separate battle. If things continue in this direction, civil war is on the horizon, with no clear moral winner.

Sengol is a cultural and historical treasure that represents our national pride, virtue, tradition, and history.

 Sengol : Its Significance And Controversy Surrounding It

The Sengol represents authority and power in ancient times. Although the exact era of its origin or initial usage is unreliable, various sources show that it has been a part of Tamil culture for over 3000 years. It was customary to offer the sceptre to the new ruler upon his accession to power.

 

According to experts, the sceptre is a symbolic depiction that reminds those in the authority of their position or duty to the public to guarantee good governance and justice. In addition, it serves as a continual reminder that the Sengol does not bend in its pursuit of justice. 

 

Sengol was presented as a noble gift in ancient times, but many of us were unaware of its rich history and current conflict. Let me explain how and why Sengol grabbed the limelight and why there was controversy, so read on.  

Installation of Sengol in the Indian Parliament 

May 28 2023, marked a historic day for the country when it was handed over its new parliament building. Sengol, a cultural mark commemorating power transfer, was installed near the speaker's chair in the new structure. 

The most exciting part of the ceremony was that the Government installed the same sceptre that the Britishers presented on August 14, 1947, to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It represented the transition of authority from the British and was kept at an Allahabad museum.

 

Sadly, the sceptre was confined to a museum corner as a "walking stick" of Nehru. Many people questioned Nehru's attitude and intent as a result of this. According to some, Nehru sought to protect his secular image and avoided using the Sengol because of its history in Hindu ceremonies. Many believe the evidence was intentionally destroyed to remove the momentous event from national memory. 

Upon learning about its significance, the incumbent Government decided to install the "Dharmic Stick" in its rightful place. It is also an attempt to restore this antiquated custom and honour India's freedom.

Why The Controversy?

Everything appeared to be going smoothly until the politicians entered the fray with their loud tongues and evil intentions. Some opposition parties rejected the Sengol as entirely fictitious, while others denied the concept of justice. Others referred to the transfer of Sengol to Nehru as misrepresentation and demanded photographs from the day to back it up—some web portals with a dubious reputation and backing also back up such bogus accusations. 

While corrupt politics has long harmed our nation's interests, politicians haven't given up. 

Government’s Efforts to Remove Cloud of Doubt

To refute the opposition's charges and set the record straight, the Central Government has issued a 30-page docket. 

The material supplied proves beyond question that the vesting of the Sengol, a significant cultural signal of power transfer during the Chola period, was used to signify the transfer of sovereignty from Colonial rule to India.

 

The evidence supplied includes media accounts such as Time Magazine, novels such as D F Karaka's Betrayal of India and Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, and hundreds of additional books and documents from the period in question.

 

The historical facts claim that during the ceremony, the priests recited 11 verses of the Tamil sacred script, "Kolaru Pathikam," concluding with a prayer to Lord Shiva that the new authority would rule eternally.

 

Such factual details were tabled before the people with unimpeachable evidence by the Government. 

 

Here is a short film sourced from Google that will help you better understand the chain of events that occurred during the presentation of the sceptre to Nehru. 

Conclusion

To summarize the events, I believe, Sengol is a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage. It is a reminder of the country's diversity and the importance of respecting each other's differences. Sceptre is an important symbol for the people of India, reminding them of their history and the power of their collective voice. It also reminds us that the Indian people have the ability to bring about change and fight for justice. 

Image and Video Courtesy: Google

Overpopulation is a serious issue in India, and as the country's population continues to rise at an unsustainable rate, disputes over resources will only worsen.

Polulation Explosion in India

Over-population In India

Population growth is a severe challenge to India in particular and the globe in general. It is not only responsible for shifting demography and overburdening of existing resources also a key contributor to rising crime rates. Moreover, the government is facing a resource shortage for the expanding population, which might lead to political and social turmoil. 

With limited assets, India faces a nightmare in which the competition for resources will only escalate in the future, jeopardising the country's very existence.

     

In such circumstances, a news report caught my eye: Shereefa (shown above) had recently given birth to her 12th child. Shereefa, who married Haneefa, a hotel employee, in 2003, had her first child when she was 18. 

Consequences Of  Population Growth

My main fear is how long the administration will be able to kick the can down the road when indicators of administrative collapse and system failure due to overburdening are apparent on the horizon. How long will strict population control measures be postponed? Isn't it true that we're already behind the curve? 

We've all learned that India's population has officially exceeded that of China. This is not something to be proud of or celebrate. It is time for the government to reflect and make clear decisions. 

I can infer the kind of outrage the enactment of such a law(to control the population) will bring when we have witnessed a harmless CAA has caused such turmoil in a peaceful community supported by "Anarchists" across the country and disrupt the everyday life of the citizenry. 

As we advance, the will of the government and the concerned citizens will be tested continuously. Only resolute decisions to bring structural changes, regardless of repercussions, should prevail. The road to Elysium is fraught with danger. Hopefully, our government and civil society will stay strong, confront the problem, and convince everyone (the majority) to look into the merits of population control.
 

Source - https://www.mangalam.com/news/detail/376484-keralam.html

While predictions of a US decline are premature and overblown, there are real issues that must be addressed down the road.

Is The US Decline Inevitable? 

America That I Admired!

According to the saying, "A half-truth is even more dangerous than a lie." My desire to study the United States developed with information gained through Hollywood films and documentaries, particularly those concerning war (WWII). 

Visual media has a powerful influence on the human brain, and I was no exception.  

The open and vibrant society, economic power, cutting-edge military weaponry, and incomprehensible scientific advancements effectively generated an atmosphere of invincibility and confidence in American principles. 

The moral aptitude and leadership qualities, the commitment to upholding democratic values at any cost, made America the leader of the righteous world, at least in my eyes.

However, with time I learned that perception creates a smokescreen that opaques the reality. It hinders a person's ability to do rational thinking, and I, too, was blinded by one side narrative meticulously planned and executed through media. The American Betrayal of ordinary Afghanistanis was the proverbial last straw. 

While American dreams enticed ordinary citizens and US citizenship became an apparent goal, the US emerged as the promised land of milk and honey. But, gradually, as I continued with my quest to learn about the US, some uncomfortable facts started tumbling out. 

Scratching The Surface

Active Participation of the United States in Regime Change

Learning about the successful attempts by the US to topple regimes in South America surprised me. 

What amused me most was the Guatemala coup (1954). Endorsed by the USA, it was a blatant misuse of power and against all democratic principles that it claims to uphold. There's a long list of where the US overthrew democratically elected governments between the 1950s till the 1980s. Unfortunately, the hunger for a strategically crucial foreign land and natural resources have yet to end. 

History was again repeated in Iraq, where a regime was overthrown, and the entire region hasn't stabilized yet. The byproducts of the illegal Iraq war are the Syrian bloodbath, the ISIS monster, the Yemen crisis, and instability in Iraq. 

The US Refuses to Play Ball in International Treaties

If one was to track the record of honoring International treaties by respective nations, the US stands exposed with its abysmal record. It is abrogating International treaties unilaterally, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, Trans-Pacific Partnership, and North American Free Trade Agreement. 

The US even rejected an International Court of Justice ruling on Iran. However, it doesn't bode well with a country that sermonizes other nations to comply with such treaties.  

The Unholy Alliance

Not just duping the civilized world, America has a past chequered history of making opportunistic alliances with terrorist organizations, autocratic regimes, and radical Islamic states. 

From selling weapons to providing technical knowledge or monetary assistance, America furthers its propaganda without deliberating on consequences. 

Not to forget that America is the only country that dropped Nuclear weapons (Japan) and used chemical weapons(Vietnam) in the world. It still possesses the most massive arsenal of Nuclear bombs and the most significant defense spender. 

The complexities of different societies, treacherous diplomacy, and economic windfall gains at the expense of misery inflicted on hapless innocent people due to successive American governments are under-reported or brushed aside by the media.

Though Gobbles is the fallen guy and is blemished, even today, American policy is the real culprit in waging propaganda wars and peddling their narrative as sacrosanct throughout the globe. Mischievous propaganda is propagated by dominating media. 

There is no denying that autocratic or communist regimes have abysmal respect for world peace or human rights, but American policymakers are no different either. Whether supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia for killing Yemini civilians or abandoning Afghan society at the mercy of the Taliban, the US has treaded an opportunistic path.

Image courtesy- Google Images 

The country's reconstruction attempt was doomed from the outset. When the Taliban acquired power, they began pursuing and executing Afghans who worked with the US to form a civil government. The US abandoning of Afghans, along with the Taliban's violent strategy, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Afghans.

American Betrayal In Afghanistan (Part -3)

The Afghan Debacle

The Afghan war started in October 2001 in the aftermath of the Twin Tower attacks and lingered for 20 years without any decisive outcome. It was the longest and most expensive war for the USA. 

 

The resilience of Taliban fighters shocked and exposed the limitations of the American war machine. With most of its allies have withdrawn their forces in 2014, American troops also changed their strategy. The US forces limited their activities to training Afghan troops for a combat role. They were only available to the Afghan army in a supporting role, encouraging Afghan National Security Forces to be at the forefront. 

After a prolonged period of fighting, the escalating cost of war and no remedy in sight to end the stalemate forced the US to start looking for a face-saving exercise by entering into 'peace talks' with the Taliban. Moreover, ending the war and bringing troops home became a burning election issue in America, with successive Presidential candidates focusing on troop withdrawal. Eventually, the Biden administration decided to conclude the operations and ordered a retreat.

 

It is necessary to emphasize that despite the world community's constant support and good intentions, the elected politicians couldn't bring stability to Afghanistan.

Taliban Returned to its Old Ways

The global community attempted to reconcile and play a role in reconstruction, but all efforts were futile. In the end, it was the Taliban who triumphed and began harassing citizens, especially women and religious minorities.

 

The world community tried its best to usher in a new era of development and to wean Afghanis away from radical ideology and bloodshed. International donors poured billions of dollars in aid to support the noble cause. Countries such as India, which has a strategic interest in the stability of Afghanistan, have contributed over $750 million in assistance to Afghanistan.

 

However, the inefficiencies of the Afghan administration, large-scale corruption, infighting among politicians who were former warlords, and crimes committed by government officials have disappointed the Afghanis. In addition, the ineffectiveness of the Afghan National Army in protecting vast swathes of territory and civilians from terrorists further eroded the confidence of civilians.

The Taliban shifted gears and continuously changed their strategy until they captured Kabul. During their struggle, they undermined the government machinery and remained aggressive. Taliban is attempting to win the people's confidence by adopting a dual strategy. 

 

They were threatening violence against civilians supporting the erstwhile government and reminding people of times when the Taliban succeeded in stamping out corruption and lawlessness and making the roads and areas under their control safe for commerce to flourish. The tactics eventually proved successful. 

What Fueled the Taliban's Rise to Power?

The Taliban, who regrouped successfully under the leadership of Mulla Omar with tacit support from the Pakistan Military, had sound financial backing. The Taliban leadership was well-funded and protected, which helped them strategize to take on their enemies at will. With an annual income of around $1.7 billion, the Taliban emerged as a powerful self-funding terror group well entrenched.

 

Since 2002, the money collected through different sources such as drug trade, illegal mining of natural resources, taxation on goods and transit fees on vehicles plying in controlled areas helped the Taliban maintain the insurgency and finance more attacks on the establishment. 

Pakistan's tacit support and hobnobbing with terror outfits benefited the Taliban immensely.

 

The Final Betrayal

Sadly, Afghanistan today has become a battleground for all major powers to extract a pound of flesh for themselves. As a result, the vested interests of groups within and outside Afghanistan have become a stumbling block to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

 

In this tug-of-war between negotiators and the Taliban, Afghan society stands to lose the most. In the last 20 years, the narratives and goals of the Afghan war kept changing. Unfortunately, the values for which the war started and was once a noble effort has long been forgotten. Supporters of women's rights, human rights, and civil society are dismayed today.

 

The Taliban's refusal to respect Afghanis' human rights, uphold international laws, avoid violence, and give equal rights to Afghan women during discussions was not taken into account by negotiators. Unfortunately, the US and its partners were more interested in a face-saving formula than negotiating a meaningful settlement with the Taliban. As a result, the civilized world bowed down in the face of lunatics. 

Image courtesy - Google Images 

Though the US possessed the firepower to demolish the Taliban government and claim moral victory, the US government had a poor strategy and ignored warnings about Afghanistan.The Taliban's foot soldiers adopted a simple strategy of blending in with the local populace and waiting for the right moment to strike back and seek vengeance.

American Betrayal In Afghanistan (Part -2) 

America Strikes Back

Following the breakdown of negotiations, battle lines were drawn between the mighty American war machine and deeply rooted Taliban fighters with a history of wrestling Russia. The military campaign began 27 days after approximately 3000 Americans were killed in the horrific twin towers attack.

 

The main goal of the United States 'Operation Enduring Freedom' was to demolish Al-Qaeda's infrastructure by ousting the Taliban from power. On the ground, fighters loyal to the Northern Alliance joined the military operation against the Taliban. 

 

The United States was aided in its fight against terror by its allies. Yet, at the same time, the Taliban received no open backing from any nations that recognized its authority, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

As the U.S. started its campaign, the Taliban couldn't withstand the military might of US-led forces and, within two months, lost most of the Afghan territory under its control. By December 17, 2001, the Taliban were knocked out of power, and American-led forces built military bases near major cities nationwide to provide security.

The Emergence of Civil Society

As the Taliban retreated, the U.N. Security Council, led by the United States, advocated the establishment of Afghan National Security Forces to protect Afghan land from the Taliban. International Security Forces led by the United States were to train Afghan forces to take up the task when it was ready.

On the political front, Hamid Karzai was appointed as the leader of the transitional administration to supervise the start of the country's diplomatic process. Following successful elections in 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected the first President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 

 

Civil liberties were introduced with some semblance of peace returning to Afghanistan, and women's rights were actively supported. Moreover, the establishment emphasized the improvement of necessary physical infrastructure along with economic and educational reforms.

 

Afghanistan received generous cooperation from the international community in the form of Billions of dollars to improve health, education, human rights, etc.

 

Afghan women and girls treated as second-class citizens during the Taliban era were permitted to return to school and university and contribute to their country's development.

However, with all these development activities taking place in Afghanistan, there's always a danger of the Taliban lurking around. It is essential to understand that they were forced out of power but not defeated by the USA.

 

 Pakistan Comes to the Taliban's Aid 

Contrary to popular belief, most al-Qaeda and Taliban members were neither arrested nor killed. Instead, they quickly fled to adjacent Pakistan over the porous border or withdrew to Afghanistan's rural or distant mountainous districts, away from American strikes. 

 

Following that, the Taliban gradually began reorganizing within the safe havens of tribal areas of Pakistan under the command of Mulla Omar. Then, despite continuous American ground and air forces, the Taliban, more acclimatized to the mountainous environment, unleashed an audacious guerilla attack against US-led troops across the Pakistan border. 

The Taliban's more brutal and deceptive tactics were victorious against the ill-prepared US-led troops, who began losing soldiers in more significant numbers. Since the beginning of the conflict, America has lost almost 2300 troops and another 20,500 injured, although the number of casualties among all allies is far greater.

 

Despite some initial setbacks, the Taliban adapted well to the changing scenario of the battlefield. They started their offensive from bordering areas of the AF-PAK border and quickly escalated to the heart of the country. As the Taliban increased its strength, massive-scale attacks on government buildings, military bases and suicide attacks on civilian locations in urban areas increased exponentially.

Taliban Were Waiting in the Shadows

Patience and perseverance proved effective in the Taliban's win over Western nations. With time, the Taliban steadily regained power and lost ground, owing to battle-hardened warriors and geography that supported their combat strategy. Using patience and tenacity, the Taliban gradually expanded their authority across Afghanistan, leaving vast swaths of the country unstable and prone to murder.

Even when pressure was put on Pakistan to rein in terrorists on its soil or with successful raids by U.S. forces to filter out terrorists, it didn't do much in blunting the Taliban's offensive capabilities. 

 

To some extent, the United States achieved its initial objective of denying terror groups like al-Qaeda sanctuary while neutralizing its senior leadership. Nonetheless, the momentum seems to have shifted in favour of the Taliban.

 

The U.S., for its part, gradually started realizing the futility of the continuity of the conflict it was sucked into. Despite constant commitment towards Afghanistan regarding men and material, US-led forces were losing much more than human lives.

Tide Has Turned Now

Sensing fatigue in enemy camps, the Taliban also increased its offensive. Emboldened by the violence unleashed against the U.S.-led forces and civilians, the Taliban re-emerged as a force to reckon with that can no longer be sidelined.

 

As the bodies began to pile up, the divisions within U.S. allies came to the fore. They were no longer interested in committing their troops to the battlefront, forcing the U.S. to shoulder the responsibility alone. The limitations of the U.S.-led forces, large-scale corruption in governance, and tribal divisions within government provided a suitable ground for the Taliban to get a seat at the negotiating table.

 

With no end to the war in sight and the resurgence of the Taliban visible, the U.S. was pressured to negotiate with the Taliban to end the stalemate.

Image courtesy - Google Images