The shooting war in Afghanistan may be over but other forms of warfare continue. These include economic and propaganda warfare with the specific aim to frustrate the Taliban’s consolidation of power to govern effectively and provide services to the people.
Barring the defeated powers (US, NATO and India), the rest of the world wants peace and stability in Afghanistan. If Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours put their heads together and coordinate policies, peace is not only possible, it is highly desirable.
There is no shortage of ‘experts’ giving unsolicited advice to the Taliban about who to include in the cabinet as well as women’s rights. These self-styled experts should keep their advice to themselves. Having defeated a superpower, the Taliban know how to order their lives.
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.
