By Abdul Haleem

    KABUL, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Continued instability in Afghanistan over the past three decades and international community's failure to pacify the war-torn country underscores the role of neighboring states in resolving the prolonged crisis in this part of the world.

    With over 70,000-strong U.S.-led Coalition forces and the NATO-led ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) here since late 2001, however, the world has seen the post-Taliban country being bogged down by escalating violence and riots.

    Military failure to ensure stability in Afghanistan has made it essential to have wider and comprehensive approach in all fields including the war on terror, accelerating reconstruction process, alleviating poverty, enhancing operational capacity of Afghan national security forces and winning the support of Afghanistan's neighbors in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

    Afghanistan has experienced proxy wars among the neighboring states and regional rivals as well as military invasions by super powers in the late 20th century.

    Observers believe that overlooking others' interests by leading players in the game in Afghanistan has prompted "stockholders" to continue intervention.

    "To win the war in Afghanistan, it is essential to win the hearts and minds of Afghans, in addition to enjoying the support of the neighboring states and regional powers," a retired General Noorul Haq Aloomi observed.

    The analyst who served the ex-Soviet Union backed Afghan army in 1980s emphasized that "lack of coordination between the U.S.-led Coalition forces and Afghanistan's neighboring countries has contributed to the resurgence of terrorists which made Pakistan's tribal areas 'safe haven' for Taliban and allied insurgents."

    Moreover, Aloomi, who once served as head of Defense Committee of Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of parliament, held the view that Afghanistan's neighbors have no reason to accept the long-term presence of the U.S.-led army in Afghanistan.

    Virtually, the front-line allies of U.S. in war on terror including Pakistan have not hidden their concern over the long-term stay of international troops in Afghanistan as Pakistani leaders believe that foreign troops' presence would face backlash and enables militants to recruit more fighters.

    What's more, Iran considers U.S-led forces in Afghanistan as an occupying one while Moscow has been opposing U.S. permanent stay in the post-Taliban central Asian state.

    In fact, analysts believed that the relatively success of U.S. in Iraq lies on winning support from Iraqi tribal leaders whom were clearly convinced that U.S. troops do not intend to stay.

    Turbulence in Afghanistan has worried the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the six-member forum, apparently in its bid to find a solution to the imbroglio has invited Afghanistan and India to its summit in Moscow on March 27.