Taliban have Defeated America

Byline: Humayun Gauhar America's intent: Not to quit Afghanistan altogether, only to withdraw its soldiers from the firing line. Do you really think that they went to all the trouble of occupying Afghanistan only to "Bring Osama Bin Laden to justice" or topple Mullah Omar? They occupied it for its geo-strategic importance as the land of future gas pipeline routes, its significant mineral deposits and as a listening and rapid deployment post in the region from China and Russia to the Central Asian Republics, the Middle East and South Asia. And that is where they intend to remain until they are thrown out. Yes, it is the wretched, never-ending Great Game. Everyone has lost playing it - now its America's turn.