What did the Bonn Conference achieve?

TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (MNA) -- The recent Bonn Conference focused on two major goals, namely starting negotiations with the Taliban and the implementation of the strategic deal between Afghanistan and the United States. Negotiations with the Taliban are meant to persuade the leaders of the extremist group to lay down their arms and to actively participate in the reconciliation process. The strategic deal between Afghanistan and the major military powers of NATO, especially the U.S., has been finalized, and the U.S. military presence will continue in the country in the form of new military bases in Afghanistan. Based on this agreement, U.S. military forces will be allowed to remain in Afghanistan until 2024. Many observers believe that the deal will pave the way for a permanent presence of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The extension of the U.S. military presence has caused concern in all Afghanistan’s neighbors, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran. The move has also been criticized by many other regional governments as an effort to further destabilize the region. Pakistan’s boycott of the Bonn Conference was the most significant shortcoming of the meeting because Islamabad is regarded as the most influential supporter of extremist groups operating in Afghanistan, especially through the activities of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The boycott is expected to have serious repercussions for Pakistan as well because it will deepen the rift between Pakistan and the U.S., which began over the recent NATO drone attack that killed dozens of Pakistani border troops. According to many political analysts, Pakistan’s decision to boycott the Bonn Conference was a fatal mistake because it gives the world the impression that Islamabad is not interested in establishing peace and security in the region. In response, the international community will probably adopt a harsher stance in dealing with Pakistan’s interference in Afghanistan. If Pakistani officials continue to use anti-U.S. rhetoric, the United States will intensify its military threats against Islamabad because many parts of the country are still safe havens for terrorists wanted by Washington.