The "Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds", released by the US Intelligence Council in December, ranks Afghanistan fifth on a list of countries that risk state failure; the country was fourth on the list in 2008. Apparently, the US today lacks the confidence it exhibited a decade ago to help rebuild the country.

If seen in this light, Karzai's remarks deserve sympathy because it is the result of his and his countrymen's disillusionment with Afghanistan's future under the US' shadow.

Increasing rifts between the two sides and their failure to build a truly cordial atmosphere are enough to fuel concerns that US-Afghanistan cooperation this year may not be as smooth as expected, which could jeopardize Afghanistan's security leading up to NATO's withdrawal.

This year, nevertheless, is of pivotal importance for US-Afghanistan ties because the two sides are expected to sign a controversial security pact, launch peace talks with the Taliban and agree on the number of NATO troops to be stationed in Afghanistan after 2014.

The two countries have no option but to cooperate to lay the groundwork for a relatively smooth transition because it will have a significant impact on peace and stability not only in Afghanistan, but also in the entire Central Asian region after 2014.

Apart from mending their ties, Washington and Kabul also have the daunting task of finding ways to strengthen Afghanistan's security network.

Washington needs to take appropriate actions to convince Kabul that it is committed to building peace and stability in Afghanistan even beyond 2014. The US should learn from its lessons in Iraq and ensure that it does not leave behind a big mess in Afghanistan, too. An irresponsible withdrawal would not only let down Afghan people, but also be a blow to the US.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. E-mail: wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/16/2013 page5)