America’s real plan for Afghanistan US may not have boots on the ground but is quickly rebuilding the politico-military capacity to chart the peace process in its interests

asiatimes.com ^ | July 26, 2021 | MK Bhadrakumar

[elpadre]

The recent ministerial meeting in Dushanbe of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the SCO contact group with Afghanistan left a trail of disappointment. The SCO statement on Afghanistan was a baby step – significant, nonetheless, considering the group’s growing inner contradictions.

There is no progress at the Doha talks, either. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has quietly resumed air attacks on the Taliban. The US may not have boots on the ground but is rebuilding the politico-military capacity to chart the peace process in directions that suit its geopolitical interests.

The apparent US retrenchment hoodwinked the regional states. On its part, Russia even reached out to the US to form a collegium under the canopy of its Troika mechanism.

Formats other than the Doha process are also being discussed. Everyone seems to want to boost the political process. Tehran recently hosted a conference for the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban.

China made an offer to be a facilitator for intra-Afghan dialogue “at any time.” But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov quickly stepped in to advise, “We think there’s no need to come up with any new agreements to do this. We just need to implement what has already been approved by, above all, the Afghan government and the Taliban” at Doha. (much more at link)

[SMARTY]

I remember how the media screamed themselves red-in-the-face, like banshees that we had no ‘exit strategy’ for leaving Iraq

[mad_as_he$$]

lol...wishful thinking that totally ignores that the rule of law must be dispensed from the barrel of a gun in Afcrapistan.

[elpadre]

isn’t it a shame you must go to foreign English language news sites to learn what all is going on in the world, even in our own country. Several times a week I go searching.

[Rebelbase]

In the struggle between East and West, Afghanistan is stuck in the middle.

The only thing that unifies the country are foreign invaders. Once the invaders are gone the unity evaporates into conflict between the various tribes vying for control.

It has been this way for centuries and will continue the same.

[RideForever]

Rules of Engagement with Muslims -

If Infidels are present, Sunni with unite with Shi’a sects to enslave (physical, sex, monetary), convert, and annihilate all Infidels.

If no Infidels present, Sunni will turn against Shi’a until one or the other is enslaved or annihilated.

The rising population of Muslims over 1200 years shows the effectiveness of their tactics.

[silverleaf]

Russia, China and Iran are in the US crosshairs and Washington’s future agenda is principally oriented to blocking Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promoting regime change in Central Asia, using militant Islam as a geopolitical tool and consolidating a long-term presence in Afghanistan as a template of its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Interesting nugget there of the US calculation to use militant islam as a geopolitical tool. Like, that worked so well with covertly supporting ISIS. So working with the taliban is better than cooperating with Russia. Must keep a foot on the rimland and contain Russia to the heartland. Or else oh noze….The Great Game continues.

[P.O.E.]

Have they decided yet what shape the conference table should be?

[Portcall24]

Imagine you’re a State Department staffer and told to write a “feel good” piece about leaving. Oh crap!

[BeauBo]

“isn’t it a shame you must go to foreign English language news sites to learn what all is going on in the world, even in our own country. Several times a week I go searching.”

Thanks for the interesting article.

Nobody gets it easy in Afghanistan, and that will include the Taliban.