US losing Afghan war could see return of Taliban

Defeat of US led-Nato forces in Afghanistan might trigger "civil war" in the nation and might ultimately lead to collapse of the civilian government in nuclear armed Pakistan, top US army officials told American lawmakers.     

Asked the consequences of a coalition forces' loss, Lt General Stanley A McChrystal, the next US commander in Afghanistan said, the country might break down into civil war, become a save heaven for Al Qaeda elements and lead to instability in Pakistan.     

McChrystal said, "In the near-term it would break down into civil war. I don't believe that the Taliban would take over Afghanistan. I think it would go back to what it was before 2001, and that would be an ongoing civil war between different factions."      

"Would it probably lead to the collapse of the civilian government in Pakistan?" Senator Graham asked. "I think it's very likely. Then, of course, that's a nuclear-armed state so you have got nuclear weapons under questionable control at that point. Then I think, wider — the entire region is affected by that," McChrystal replied.

McChrystal, nominated by US President Barack Obama to head the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US forces in Afghanistan, said, "I believe that Al-Qaeda would have the ability to move back into Afghanistan, and I cannot imagine why they would not do that."     

"Admiral, do you agree with that assessment?" the Senator asked Admiral James Stavridis, who has been nominated to be Commander of US European Command, and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. "I do. And I would add — as you just alluded to, at a minimum, the extreme demoralisation of the NATO Alliance for having failed." he responded.