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.
Why the US and its Nato allies will continue to look for pretexts to continue interference in Afghanistan and why they will fail.
Soundly defeated militarily by the Taliban, the US warlords have not given up on mischief-making. They are setting up a trap for Pakistan even as they retreat in disgrace from Afghanistan.
While announced to much fanfare that US troops would be out of Afghanistan by September 11, US President Joe Biden left out whether the 18,000 mercenaries euphemistically called “contractors”, operating in Afghanistan would also go. The Taliban are not amused.
Joe Biden is beginning to have second thoughts about withdrawing all US forces from Afghanistan. Should he fail to honour the February 29, 2020 agreement his predecessor signed with the Taliban, there is every likelihood of intensification of conflict resulting is US forces driven out Afghanistan in ignominy.
