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.
The US pivot to China has opened up space for Islamic self-determination to reassert itself to determine its own future and indeed that of the rest of the world. Afghanistan’s Muslim neighbours, especially Iran, Pakistan and Turkey must not lose this opportunity.
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.
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.
Iraq is trying to play a significant regional role to try to reduce tensions. It also serves Iraq’s interests, as the Baghdad summit showed.
Diverse political groups in Iraq are increasingly demanding the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the country. Their focus is the US presence that is at the root of all of Iraq’s problems.
Why the US and its Nato allies will continue to look for pretexts to continue interference in Afghanistan and why they will fail.
