The Americans and their allies are in for some big surprises in Afghanistan. This harsh truth is evident in the destruction of 22 Nato fuel trucks coming from Afghanistan, and the heavy casualties.

And in the coming days, the attacks are bound to grow in intensity and even supply trucks coming from Pakistan will be targeted by not only the Afghan Taliban but even by the Pakistani Taliban.

The result will be a total mess and the scenario might be similar to the situation in Vietnam during the last months and days of the American withdrawal.

Everything’s not going to be hunky-dory for President Hamid Karzai. In fact, tough days have begun for him. It’s true that the donors’ meeting in Tokyo has pledged $ 16 billion for the next four years. But a condition has been put forward: Karzai should reduce the level of corruption before the entire sum is handed over to him.

Whether that will happen is doubtful. Before leaving for the conference, Karzai admitted that graft has touched a new high and that something has to be done. But then, the Afghan president has made similar anti-graft pledges many times in the past and the results have been zero and the fact that no one in the higher echelons of the government has been arrested, tried and convicted for corruption cannot be ignored.

On the contrary, corruption has only increased with a sizeable percentage of aid money going into the deep pockets of his acolytes and others. In other areas too, Karzai has a lot to do before he becomes the supreme overlord of his country. One important area is the production of opium and heroin of which Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer.

While tackling these headaches, Karzai must at the same time ensure that his security forces are well-armed and well-trained. Though they will number about 320,000 by the time the western forces leave, they will be no match for the highly motivated and well-armed Taliban if their present state is considered.

Not many Afghans have confidence in Karzai’s ability to find panaceas for the malaise ailing their country. And unless he finds ways to end the rampant corruption and ensure that the aid money seeps down to the needy and solve other problems, there will not be any applause for him.

Who knows, many desperate Afghans in need of comfort may even switch sides to the Taliban who are already exploiting the Karzai’s administration’s inefficiency. So, with 2014 – the date for the western exit – not too far away, Karzai will have to act in a number of spheres, and act in haste.

That alone will give rise to confidence in his rule among Afghans. Or else, it’s just a matter of time before the country reverts back to the Taliban.