Political Science

Ever since Thucydides History of the Pelopponesian War, the word realism has taken various forms outside its original definition. The realism, as propagated by Morgenthau is considered as Classical Realism and is quite different from its relative Neo-Realism.

Morgenthau brand of realism is Political Realism, which believes that politics is governed by objective laws with roots in human nature. More importantly, Political Realism is aware of the moral significance of political action, as experts point out.

A political realist holds up the autonomy of the political sphere as he asks himself, How does this policy affect the power of the nation As such, political realism brings some semblance of morality to the otherwise abstract political scene.

Morgenthaus realism is closely identifiable with the American views of international system and international politics based on the following points

1. Americas foreign policy seriously believes that its human nature, rather than just political ambition, that guides the politics.

2. With help from the concept of power, America also seeks to infuse rational order into politics, wherever required, making it possible to understand its policies theoretically.

3. More importantly, the Americas take on international politics is more often than not based on the moral significance of political action. It is also not devoid of any lofty talk about combining the moral command and the requirements of successful political action.

4. Last but not the least, America realises that the universal moral principles are not to be applies to the actions of the States without first being filtered through the concrete circumstances of time and place, just as Morgenthau advocated.

What is the more appropriate name for Af-Pak and how does that identity challenge the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan as the attempt to defeat the Taliban

The safe haven provided to the Al Qaeda, the Taliban and its allied terrorist groups in Pakistans bordering regions with Afghanistan have brought upon the epithet Af-Pak, which was made  popular by Richard Holbrooke even before he assumed the post of Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

While explaining the motivation behind the term, Holbrooke said
First of all, we often call the problem AfPak, as in Afghanistan Pakistan. This is not just an effort to save eight syllables. It is an attempt to indicate and imprint in our DNA the fact that there is one theater of war, straddling an ill-defined border, the  HYPERLINK httpen.wikipedia.orgwikiDurand_Line o Durand Line Durand Line, and that on the western side of that border, NATO and other forces are able to operate.

New America Foundation Senior Fellow Anatol Lieven, recently pointed out the strategic challenges that America faces because of Af-Pak identify. He said, A democratic Pakistan simply cannot give the United Stats the kind of support that it wants against the Taliban. By identifying the Taliban problem as having its roots in Pakistan as well, the American government has miffed not only the current crop of leaders in Pakistan but also the Pakistan people, thereby significantly amplifying that challenge.

Secondly, Americas inability to involve regional stakeholders  like Iran  into an effective exit strategy, has led to a vacuum. It is to be understood that Iran shares Americas interest in a stable Afghanistan and possesses the will and capacity to help manage the ongoing conflict within that country.

Last but not the least, Lieven also reminds that the US long-term strategic interests are with Pakistan, not Afghanistan. Therefore, instead of concentrating on American strategy for Afghanisatn, the government should concentrate on keeping its ties with Pakistan intact.