By CGTN's Lu Yanrong ‍

Although the war in Afghanistan ended a few years ago, the country continues to grapple with a concerning security situation. According to a new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the security situation in the nation remains "intensely volatile". In view of ongoing terrorist threats and the difficult security situation, the United States currently has more than 8,000 troops in Afghanistan. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis is recommending that the number be increased by up to 5,000. 

But speaking to CGTN, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has criticized the US, saying it is responsible for the country’s worsening security. He explained that US troops came to Afghanistan to maintain security and fight against terrorism... but did not focus on these tasks. 

Karzai said, “Initially, the entire Afghan people supported them when the US troops arrived in Afghanistan, our constitution was made, our democracy was launched. However, our support has been lost since they began to go to Afghan homes, bomb our villages.” 

Then-US President George W. Bush prematurely announced the US military victory in Iraq - a severe blow to his time in office. His successor Barack Obama appears to have followed in Bush’s footsteps. Obama had declared that the US military’s task in Afghanistan was complete. But the operation appears to be far from over, there are still about 8,400 US troops and another 5,000 NATO forces on the ground in Afghanistan, amid a worsening security situation.   

“The US agenda is not designed to secure the stability of Afghanistan... ISIS is growing during the US presence,” Karzai added that, "The US must end this war responsibly”. 

Afghanistan continues to struggle with post-war reconstruction. Amid challenges faced on numerous fronts, Karzai believes it’s imperative his country unites neighbors like China, Russia and Iran. “It needs the whole strategy of the cooperation in the region, because anti-terrorism is a global exercise,” he said.  

In characterizing Afghanistan’s relationship with China, the former Afghan president said, “We are grateful for what China has done for Afghanistan. China is increasing its cooperation with Afghanistan on economy, investment, and security. China wants the peace of Afghanistan. China has launched some integration economic program, the One Belt and One Road Initiative is one benefit of the whole region, that requires peace and stability in the region.”