The rising number of casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger in the US and members of the Western military alliance of NATO, undermining public support for the US-led war.
As anti-American sentiment is growing among Afghans, the US and Afghanistan government have agreed on a draft for a strategic partnership deal.
The accord, which has not been made public, outlines the US role in the country for a decade after 2014, when most foreign combat forces are expected to leave.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Allen Roland, online columnist, to further discuss the issue. The following is a transcription of the interview.
Press TV: The US has finally made it official to stay in Afghanistan beyond the withdrawal date. Did you see this agreement coming?
Roland: Yes, but remember, first of all, let’s get a couple of things straight, this is not a war in Afghanistan, it’s an illegal occupation. This is not a war in Iraq, it’s an illegal occupation.
The government of Pakistan is illegal like your last [Afghanistan] speaker said. It’s an illegal government setup by the American government. This is all political.
This is Obama’s occupation, not Obama’s war. It’s Obama’s occupation. He’s doing everything to make it seem like we’re making progress right up until his election, if he makes it. I personally feel he will not be reelected.
Everything is going to fall apart after the election. This are [band aids] going on here…
We’re spending two billion dollars a month in Afghanistan, 120 billion dollars last year. There’s a reason Afghanistan is called the ‘graveyard of empires’, it’s going to be the graveyard of the American empire.
Press TV: Your answer basically clarified your views on the Afghan government but still having said that, how can the government of Afghanistan completely ignore the aspirations of its own people, and the rage and anti-American sentiments that Afghans harbor day by day now?
Roland: Remember, this is freedom fighters. The Taliban are freedom fighters. Think of it in those terms, you’ve got the picture. Anything that’s [being a victory], etc, and the slow deterioration of Afghanistan is not being reported in the mainstream press, only in the alternative press.
It’s sinking. It’s a moral [deterioration] that’s happening over there - all the outrageous treatment. The soldiers, most of our military over there, the large majority of them are dealing in drugs with the Taliban.
The Taliban army is no such army. It’s all [a show] to somehow put the impression that we’re winning or we’re on the right track.
We’re not. We’re sinking into the quagmire of Afghanistan. It’s Obama’s occupation. He’s going to go down with it.
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