Given the 43-year-long war to which the Afghans have been subjected, it is easy to think of Afghanistan as merely a land of warriors. While its warrior culture is true, Afghanistan has also produced some great mystics, including Rumi.
Economic pressure and exploiting political differences among the Taliban are tools the US-Nato combine will use to undermine Afghanistan. The doom and gloom projections, however, are not likely to come true.
The US defeat in Afghanistan has reduced its malign influence in the region but not completely eliminated it. Afghanistan’s neighbours need to coordinate their policies to keep US influence out and to chalk out a strategy for the future to bring about peace.
For American warlords, war is a racket. The $2.26 trillion spent on the 20-year-war in Afghanistan made a lot of people in the US extremely rich. Arms manufacturers, generals—retired and serving—used a revolving door to keep pushing for war.
The lightning speed and peaceful way in which the Taliban took control of the country, including the capital city Kabul indicates their brilliant planning and wide support among the masses.
Will Afghanistan descend into civil war? This is what the doomsayers are projecting but the manner in which the Taliban have conducted themselves so far gives hope that fighting, if any, will not be large scale and the resistance group would be able to control it.
One of the best-informed Western journalists and authors, Eric Margolis gives his analysis of the situation in Afghanistan. Unlike many other so-called experts, he went to Afghanistan in the 1980s and actually participated in fighting against the Soviets.
Unlike distant powers, Afghanistan’s neighbours, especially Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia have a huge stake in a stable and peaceful country. They should assist the Afghans to come to a suitable arrangement in which all ethnic groups are represented and do not feel alienated.