Eurasia Press & News
Afghanistan has remained a battleground for International Powers throughout the history. 11th September 2001 profoundly modified the global scenario when the United States toppled down the Taliban government and took over Afghanistan. After twenty years in Afghanistan, the United States has finally left Afghanistan. History has again repeated itself and proven that Afghanistan is indeed the “graveyard of empires” because so many foreign armies have come to grief there despite their advanced military assets.
The unfolding scenario in Afghanistan is a daunting challenge to all the future stake holders in Afghanistan. Unlike the previous great power designs, the war-ravaged country this time may take a new road through a joint diplomatic and political efforts from all regional players for her stability and prosperity. The U.S withdrawal is undoubtedly going to have major implications on Afghanistan`s neighbors and the regional players, so they need to behave very sensibly this time. A regional approach, by involving all the regional stake holders could help in a sustainable and acceptable political settlement in Afghanistan. China, Russia, Iran, India and Pakistan would mutually find their common interest in stability in Afghanistan. This sort of solution might bring hostilities to minimum in Afghanistan which is historically renowned for active proxies. Such a settlement may further prevent international and regional powers from playing out their rivalries on the Afghan soil.
Pakistan being a major regional power wants stable and non-violent Afghanistan which is important for her own stability and interests. Pakistan has been the worst victim of war in Afghanistan for the last 4 decades, as Pakistan sacrificed more than eighty thousand valuable human lives and suffered about 250 billion US dollars in monetary losses and faced other serious consequences, including terrorism and extremism.
Furthermore, the United States is using Pakistan as a scapegoat. Pakistan understands Afghanistan better than any other country, as the two countries are associated via a long border as well as a common way of life, language, religion and ethnicity. No other state can play the role as Pakistan, in bringing peace and balance in Afghanistan. The world knows and is aware of Pakistan’s strength and capability. The recent developments including the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan strengthens this argument.
Now that the Taliban have regained their position the significant regional players are increasingly convinced that they need to take charge of their vicinity. The United States and its allieswithdrawal from Afghanistan is seen as a big shift in worlds politics. South Asia is now emerging as multipolar region where distinctive states are exerting influence via new groups and networks. That is why Russia and China are very sensibly courting the Taliban and appear very devoted to tackle Afghanistan’s security and financial problems. The countries that continue to retain embassies in Kabul, include Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia which speaks a lot about their role in the upcoming years.
Beijing and Moscow can push for the global recognition of Taliban and their elimination from the UN-sanctioned terrorist listing. This can accommodate Taliban from being isolated in the world politics. On the other hand, institutions like Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Asian Bank can play a vital role in strengthening and constructing new Afghanistan, politically and economically.
Given the urge for development assistance, China had provided about US $240 million to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2013. Around US $80 million were pledged by China in year 2014 alone. Furthermore, both countries have also signed an agreement of worth US $76 million on Technical Cooperation. The mineral resources in Afghanistan are estimated to be more than worth of 5 trillion dollars possibly, which makes her a very potential player in China’s Belt and Road initiative. Pakistan and China both, are already interested in extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. The CPEC could connect Afghanistan through rail, sea, and road which could open the doors of trade for Afghanistan. This could also play a great role in economic integration and regional connectivity of Afghanistan.
Apart from the role of international and regional powers in paving the way for a new Afghanistan, a huge responsibility also lies on the shoulders of Taliban that how they create an inclusive government which would be acceptable for all stake holders. How they will disassociate themselves from their earlier monstrous image and project their new reformed humanistic revival which will be acceptable to the international community.
At the moment what Taliban need the most is engagement with Afghan civil society and internal cohesion. This can strengthen their position over their system of governance and perception of ideas in relation to their national and ideological interests in line with international standards.
