THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary-April 24, 2017- Topic 2

At war with itself: On Taliban advances in Afghanistan

The attack on a military base in Afghanistan on Friday, in which at least 140 people, mostly unarmed soldiers, died, speaks volumes about the state of security in the war-ravaged country. It was the deadliest attack by the Afghan Taliban since they were ousted from power in 2001. The 209th Army Corps base in Balkh province that was targeted is the army’s northern headquarters, responsible for security in nine of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. 

By running over such a fortified structure, the Taliban are effectively challenging the professionalism, resolve and resources of the entire force. Over the last few years, the Taliban had lost two of their topmost leaders. Besides, there were reports of factionalism and infighting within the group after the death of Mullah Omar. Yet, the Taliban made steady and substantial gains in the civil war over the last couple of years, since most American troops withdrew from Afghanistan as part of the drawdown plan. Now the group controls or has influence in more than half the country. In recent years it had carried out multiple attacks on government buildings, including the Parliament building, sending a clear message to the government and its international backers that there is no place in Afghanistan that lies outside the Taliban’s range.

Each time such an attack takes place, the Afghan government issues a statement on terror and vows to continue fighting. But despite these assurances, there is no real progress visible on the ground. Last year alone, more than 6,700 members of the Afghan security forces were killed, the highest since 2001. High casualties destroy the morale of the troops and erode the public’s faith in the country’s institutions, which already have a reputation of being highly corrupt. Kabul’s erratic and sometimes incoherent responses to the Taliban threat also expose its lack of conviction. Its overall security approach, as the latest attacks suggest, is in a shambles. The armed forces are not able to stall the Taliban’s advances. Its political reforms and attempts to reach out to the rural populace get nowhere as the Taliban are expanding their hold in the countryside. Even the attempts to reach a negotiated settlement were counterproductive, given the lack of cooperation from Pakistan and the Taliban’s refusal to make any meaningful compromise. But why would the Taliban compromise at a time when they think they’re making gains in the war? In order to forge a long-term political solution, the Afghan government first needs to alter the balance of power on the ground; and for that it needs international support. The U.S. would do well to help the Afghan security forces craft a credible, sustainable military strategy and provide them more resources and training to take on the Taliban. Theatrics such as dropping the biggest non-nuclear bomb in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan may make headlines, but, as last week’s attack suggests, they hardly deter the militants.

Vocabulary

Ravage: cause severe and extensive damage to.

Example: Fears that a war could ravage their country

Synonyms: lay waste, devastate, ruin, destroy, wreak havoc on, leave desolate

Province: a principal administrative division of certain countries or empires.

Example: Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province

Synonyms: territory, region, state, department, canton, area, district, sector

Fortified: strengthen (a place) with defensive works so as to protect it against attack.

Example: The whole town was heavily fortified

Synonyms: build defenses around, strengthen, secure, protect; strengthen

Vows: a solemn promise.

Example: Who would have guessed someone so young could make such a solemn vow and keep it for over fifty years.

Synonyms: oath, pledge, promise, bond, covenant, commitment, avowal

Morale: the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time.

Example: Their morale was high

Synonyms: confidence, self-confidence, self-esteem, spirit(s), team spirit, enthusiasm

Reputation: the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.

Example: His reputation was tarnished by allegations that he had taken bribes

Erode:  gradually wear away

Example: The cliffs have been eroded by the sea

Shamble: a slow, shuffling, awkward gait.

Example: Fans are used to Young's laid-back stage presence, the hunched shoulders, eyes often masked by cap or hat, the trademark shamble and lurch.

Populace: the people living in a particular country or area.

Example: The party misjudged the mood of the populace

Synonyms: population, inhabitants, residents, natives, community, country

Credible: able to be believed; convincing.

Example: Few people found his story credible

Synonyms: believable, plausible, tenable, able to hold water, conceivable

Mountainous: a region having many mountains.

Example: In general, mountainous regions with their steep slopes and deep valleys are eroded fastest.

Synonyms: hilly, craggy, rocky, alpine, upland, highland

Deter: discourage someone from doing something, typically by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.

Example: Only a health problem would deter him from seeking re-election

Synonyms: discourage, dissuade, put off, scare off, dishearten, demoralize