By Tareen
In relations between states, patience, restraint, and forbearance are regarded as essential principles of diplomacy and crisis management. At times, Afghanistan has deliberately avoided an immediate response to the actions of Pakistan’s regime in order to prevent further escalation, preserve regional stability, and leave the door open for dialogue. Experience has shown, however, that when patience and goodwill are extended repeatedly and the other side fails to understand them for what they are, they are often mistaken for weakness and exploited accordingly.
Over the past several years, relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have grown increasingly strained. Under various pretexts and accusations, Pakistan’s regime has resorted to one failed scheme after another in an effort to undermine Afghanistan’s government and security. On more than one occasion, it has tried to cultivate proxy groups such as Daesh in order to weaken the current system in Afghanistan and convince the world that Afghanistan has become a center for the presence and activity of various militant groups.
In pursuit of these malicious objectives, Pakistan’s regime has committed repeated crimes and acts of aggression, time and again taking advantage of Afghanistan’s patience, restraint, and forbearance. Yet every government first seeks political and diplomatic solutions before turning to other measures. In foreign policy, patience and restraint are not signs of weakness. More often, they reflect prudence, sound judgment, and a willingness to place higher national interests above emotional reactions.
Afghanistan has repeatedly tried to resolve existing disputes through dialogue, mutual understanding, and engagement. But when the other side mistakes such restraint for weakness, it must also be prepared to face the consequences of its actions and expect a response in return. If it strikes with a finger, it will receive a blow from the fist. Those who commit oppression, along with their proxy groups, will no longer be given the opportunity to continue their activities.
The IEA’s policy has changed. From now on, every potential threat will be identified before it can be carried out, disrupted, and eliminated. Their intentions and plans have become fully known, and no defensive system will be able to prevent Afghanistan’s drones from reaching their targets. Wherever this regime and its proxy groups choose to hide, they will be eliminated in order to safeguard the security of Afghanistan and the region.
