Afghanistan Peace Campaign
During the prestigious ET Global Business Summit in New Delhi, Afghan-American humanitarian Safi Rauf offered a critical perspective on the US government’s handling of the Afghan crisis. Speaking to Khaama Press, Rauf pointed out the flawed US strategy of negotiating with what he considers the wrong factions. Despite ongoing discussions between the US, Western powers, and the Taliban, Rauf observed a stark lack of progress in resolving the crisis.
The summit, spanning two days, showcased Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s positive outlook on India’s economic future, proposing India’s rise to the third-largest global economy under his tenure. Modi stressed the critical role of super-skills and inclusivity for India’s workforce. The event was graced by notable figures, including Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S, and Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn, among others.
Rauf, reflecting on his own detention by the Taliban, discussed with Khaama Press the internal power shifts within Afghanistan. He noted that the Taliban’s representation in Doha is disconnected from the real centers of power, which have shifted to Kandahar. This disconnection, Rauf argued, renders the US’s dialogue with the Taliban representatives ineffective, as the significant decrees now originate from Kandahar, not Kabul.
He also voiced concerns over the absence of influential figures like Mullah Baradar from the discussions, suggesting that Baradar’s involvement could have steered Afghanistan towards a more positive path. Rauf criticized the US’s failure to establish connections with the National Resistance Front (NRF), a key player in the Afghan political landscape.
Amidst these geopolitical discussions, the UN’s plea for $5 billion in aid for Afghanistan was highlighted, with only a fraction pledged so far. Rauf underscored the critical role of international aid, which brings in $40 million weekly to the Afghan economy, according to his statements.
Safi Rauf’s journey from a refugee camp in Pakistan to becoming a prominent Afghan-American humanitarian and Navy reservist is remarkable. After moving to the US as a teenager, Rauf served as a hospital corpsman and linguist in the Navy Reserve and played a significant role with Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. His commitment to aiding those affected by the conflict led to the founding of the Human First Coalition with his brothers. This organization has been instrumental in evacuating over 6,000 individuals from Afghanistan, showcasing Rauf’s dedication to humanitarian causes.
In 2022, Rauf advocated for the Afghan Adjustment Act, aiming to facilitate Afghan evacuees’ transition to legal permanent residency in the US. His efforts underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees and the international community’s role in addressing the crisis.
This report sheds light on the complexities of the Afghan situation, the geopolitical dynamics at play, and the personal stories of those working tirelessly to make a difference amidst turmoil.