No, you see, Indians when it comes to Af-Pak affairs have the most typical misguided views imaginable, and it seems like they've developed some pretty wild theories, a lot of off the belief that Pakistan is evil, no good and for that reason supports insurgencies.
The Indian mindset on this issues is formulated as follows: initial predisposition to see Pakistan in negative light, learn tid bits about Afghanistan from the war on terror, a few names of the taliban and Mujahideen, and then show up to forums like this as self-professed experts.
I've had long and fruitless debates with Indian members about Af-Pak affairs, plenty of daft nonsense they eventually get into, but they all start with the exact some notions you're making here.
Do you read your own links? If yes, then please tell me what you define Strategic depth in Pakistan's case, why you call it specifically 'strategic depth', why you reserve this term for Pakistan's role in Afghanistan. And what the article defines as strategic depth.
Please enlighten us, if you are so learned on these matters. I have a valid point in calling you out for spewing that phrase in a nonsensical sort of way. And then you have nerve to quote an essay with the word in it, which I am sure you have not read, because had you have read, my points to come you would not argue with.
Go on. In plain words, respond.
Ok, here's my response in plain words:
My dear Jungi bhai, it seems you are pretty het up reading that link I posted! Never mind, here's another written by none other than your own defence analyst Imtiaz Gul who is currently the Executive Director of the Islamabad-based independent Centre for Research and Security Studies. Here's his article in Pakistan's Friday Times. You see, I love reading and ferreting out serious material that is relevant to not only South Asia but the world in general. (By the way, I stopped reading Tom and Jerry comics half a century ago!
) I also suggest you read Christine Fair's
Fighting to the End and books written by Bruce Riedel.
Here..... have a peek at this.
Is this the end of the strategic depth doctrine?
Imtiaz Gul
Seeking strategic depth in Afghanistan has turned out to be like digging one’s own grave. It has hollowed out Pakistan socio-economically and polarized it politically. Cultivating and condoning relations with non-state actors represents a fatal blunder and its consequence is the biggest challenge to the country’s social cohesion, peace and security. How can a destabilized Afghanistan, infested with civil war and insurgency, provide strategic depth to Pakistan?
Read the full article here...
Is this the end of the strategic depth doctrine? ‹ The Friday Times
And here's another by none other than your erstwhile Army Chief
Gen Kayani:
Afghanistan as a ‘Strategic Depth’
In Pakistan’s strategic calculus, Afghanistan is considered as ideal territory to be used as ‘strategic depth’. Gen Kayani, in a press briefing at Army General Headquarters on February 1, 2010 stated:
“we want a strategic depth in Afghanistan but do not want to control it”. A peaceful and friendly Afghanistan can provide Pakistan a strategic depth”
Read the full article here....
Army Chief Gen Kayani: Afghanistan as a Strategic Depth - Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)
However, to conclude, there are two components to 'strategic depth'.
In
Politico-diplomatic-economic terms, strategic depth is the ability of a state to reduce threats by a combination of strategies which include improving relations with neighbours and bring the possibility of an armed conflict to zero.This creates additional space for economic development and soft power projection.
The other component of strategic depth is
Military which refers to the distance between actual or potential frontlines and key centers of population, logistics, industrial and military production centers. Defensive strategic depth requires vast space in the interior to retreat to extend the lines of communication of the enemy. It corresponds to a state’s ability to deal with an offensive through multi-layered defence, absorb the initial thrust, stretch the enemy forces and inflict attrition on it through counter-strokes. And this is where Afghanistan comes in.
However, the military component of strategic depth doctrine is now heading into the sunset as a destabilized Afghanistan, infested with civil war and insurgency, cannot provide strategic depth to Pakistan militarily - at least at the present juncture. What of the future? Only time will tell.
Want to know more about 'Strategic Depth'? I think that's enough for now! More later. I've other work to do!
Cheers!
