US says 'someone else' can sign Afghan security pact as Karzai holds out

The US has, for the first time, officially, said that someone other than Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai can sign the security deal that could keep up to 15,000 US troops in the country till 2024 and beyond.

Frustrated by President Karzai's stubborn hold-out from inking the Bilateral Security Agreement, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, "I think that it is important for the agreement to try to move forward. Now, it doesn't have to be the President. His Minister of Defence can sign it, the government can sign it, somebody can accept responsibility for this."

Top officials tell NDTV that this cannot happen unless the Afghan leader wants it to.

He has already accused the US of trying to pressure him by holding up fuel and other supplies to the Afghan security forces.

Damocles' sword: Zero option

The US has been holding the Damocles sword of the 'zero option' if the agreement isn't signed within the month.

The 'zero option' would mean no American - and by extension - no NATO or allies' troops from 2015.

Karzai plays hardball

Despite a resounding endorsement from the Loya Jirga (Council of Elders) set up by himself, President Karzai has been holding out from signing the deal. He insists, as of now, that the BSA be signed only after polls to elect his successor in April 2014.

President Karzai has also set a number of conditions including the immediate stopping of all US raids on Afghan homes, support and non-interference in next year's elections, help in an Afghan-led reconciliation process with the Taliban and the release of 17 Afghan prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

Iraq lesson: What to learn?

Just two days ago, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zabari shared his country's failed experience with the US in a meeting in Kabul.

Mr Zabari said he had spoken about Baghdad's failure to negotiate a similar security arrangement with America. The US withdrew completely from Iraq in 2011 when it couldn't get an assurance that its troops would be tried only under American law in American courts, if they were accused in crimes.

Since the US withdrawal, Iraq has exploded into a never-ending cycle of sectarian violence.

Iran visit next, then India

Unlike Iraq, Iran is totally opposed to any agreement on U.S. troops staying on in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of coalition combat personnel in 2014. President Karzai will be in Tehran on Sunday as he plays his next move on the regional chess-board.

His next stop after that will be India next week, as he looks to shore up Afghanistan's position and his future.

Each move, by every player - regional or global - will affect that future - especially as 2014 sees three different transitions - military, political and economic - at the same time. And, though none of the players want to be on the losing side - it would be worth everyone's while to keep in mind that the 31-odd million Afghan people should be the winners.