Let's talk about why 'open war' broke out between Pakistan and Afghanistan.... - Belle of the Ranch

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So today we're going to talk about why there's open war between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

For months there have been cross border back and forth clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along with cross border operations probably carried out by non-state actors. Regional players attempted to calm the situation and a Qatar mediated ceasefire was even brokered. It has not held and now the situation has dramatically escalated.

The escalation began when Afghan-based forces hit Pakistani border troops on Thursday night. A few hours later, planes were airborne. At time of recording, it seems clear that Pakistan hit at least three separate provinces in Afghanistan to include the capital, probably more by the time this goes out because, as the Pakistani defense minister put it, "Our cup of patience has overflowed, now it is open war between us and you." You of course being Afghanistan.

Obviously for those in the West the question is probably going to be what's this over? And like most things it's complicated. But at its heart it's because the British drew a line back in the 1800s. British diplomats drew lines around the world in much the same way Americans did out West with no regard for the people who already live there. In this case, the line is called the Durand line. The Pashtun were divided by this line. For all you special guys down in the comments, this would be the line that when you were in Afghanistan, you never ever crossed because it's now the effective border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pakistan is alleging that the Afghan government is acting as a safe haven for non-state actors carrying out cross border attacks and that's probably true because the Afghans have never accepted this line. When the British drew the line, it wasn't meant as a national border. It was meant as a line to divide influence and protect their most valuable colony at the time, India. As time marched forward, it became the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are of course other geopolitical interests, but this is the heart of the matter.

We've already got some questions about the losses each side has taken. Like the start of any conflict, the numbers coming out in the media probably aren't accurate, but this is intense and it isn't like the back and forth that's been going on. While it's impossible to say for sure at this point, most people we know who are familiar with the region and with the Pakistani military seem to believe they'll try to accomplish as much as they can from the air where they hold a significant advantage.

As far as the US is concerned, Pakistan is officially a major non-NATO ally, a status they've held for more than 20 years, but the relationship is rocky, and that status doesn't create a mutual defense pact. There are international calls for restraint, but currently they're not being heeded.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.