While Afghanistan no longer functions as a US airbase in the Eurasian Heartland, it’s now a source of unconventional threats to the region, but it also has more geostrategic potential than ever before too.
Deutschland hat über 100.000 Afghanen incl. Familienmitglieder aufgenommen, nachts per Flugzeug nach Deutschland gebracht, angeblich alles Hilfskräfte die bei den West-Truppen mitgearbeitet haben
und vor den Taliban fliehen mussten. Die haben eine Rundumversorgung bekommen sowie Finanzhilfe. Zur drei Jährigen Feier sind viele nach Afghanistan geflogen um mit zu feiern, was sagt das? Die Dummheit der deutschen Politdarsteller ist grenzenlos....
One thing I've learned from the Afghani people I've met is how much they love their country. It seems like the best people always get the worst of it, but they'll get through this Taliban phase just like every other phase in their long history. Russia can be of assistance here, but what would really benefit Afghanistan is to send their scholars to Iran to see how their version of Sharia works.
They are culturally related to Iran and thus more likely to take their advice. First order of business would be to help them dispel their fear of women. That really sets them back, and the benefits of having an educated female population would be immediately obvious. There are in fact more women enrolled in Iran's universities than men, and women play key roles in the economy and in governance. If the Taliban are truly sincere about establishing a true Islamic republic, they have a good example to follow in Iran.
Great summary. It seems that Afghanistan has much potential with proper development. Unfortunately, the West is not done sanctioning it yet. It's not completely clear to me what major gains the West hopes to achieve by continuing to freeze out the government.
The canal is an interesting project, and your mention of it here was my first exposure. This part of the world is ripe for water wars, given its aridity. It looks like the Amu Darya drains into the Aral Sea, which I believe is already almost dry even now, due to massive existing irrigation projects (from the Soviet days?), which have turned it into a giant salt flat. Pulling off even more water from one of the few major rivers draining into it will finish the job.
Funny that you don't mention China which along with Russia is reportedly making economic agreements. Apparently, there is now a good road linking to the Chinese border. Mining agreements appear to be underway.
Interesting piece, which reminds me of Lindsey Graham's boundless enthusiasm for Project Afghanistan. A couple comments:
- Shoving Afghanistan into the arms of BRICs with idiotic sanctions further emphasizes the folly of sanctions policy. How many failures are needed before changing course?
- One wonders how the situation might be different had we not gone there with a key objective of creating a western wokocracy. It seems like we could've discouraged the pedophilia thing without stripping men of their traditional societal role and instead just focused on creating an ally in a crucial region. And if we had taken China's approach, we may have created a prosperous and healthy friend versus an a devastated enemy. The sheer stupidity of a west in thrall of its idiotic universal values alongside its naked colonialism is just mind boggling.
- So ironic to be thankful to the Taliban for reducing opium production. Makes you wonder who was really benefiting before the Taliban returned.
- Were Pakistan's ties to Afghanistan deliberated damaged when Pakistan's leadership was swapped out?
- Curious what China and Russia really think about India. India's residual ties to the UK make me suspicious that they are a possible source of future discord via the invisible hand of the UK. By all external appearances India should be a natural founding member of BRICs, but I can't shake my distrust of the UK as a cancerous source of global chaos.
Very helpful and insightful summary thank you
You're welcome!
Deutschland hat über 100.000 Afghanen incl. Familienmitglieder aufgenommen, nachts per Flugzeug nach Deutschland gebracht, angeblich alles Hilfskräfte die bei den West-Truppen mitgearbeitet haben
und vor den Taliban fliehen mussten. Die haben eine Rundumversorgung bekommen sowie Finanzhilfe. Zur drei Jährigen Feier sind viele nach Afghanistan geflogen um mit zu feiern, was sagt das? Die Dummheit der deutschen Politdarsteller ist grenzenlos....
There's really no substitute for being there on the ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Nba4MMBAU&t=4192s
I'm aware of the guy's reputation, but there's no denying that he takes the risks and shares his observations.
Previously in Kabul, but no longer possible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfK4ndtVEOQ
One thing I've learned from the Afghani people I've met is how much they love their country. It seems like the best people always get the worst of it, but they'll get through this Taliban phase just like every other phase in their long history. Russia can be of assistance here, but what would really benefit Afghanistan is to send their scholars to Iran to see how their version of Sharia works.
They are culturally related to Iran and thus more likely to take their advice. First order of business would be to help them dispel their fear of women. That really sets them back, and the benefits of having an educated female population would be immediately obvious. There are in fact more women enrolled in Iran's universities than men, and women play key roles in the economy and in governance. If the Taliban are truly sincere about establishing a true Islamic republic, they have a good example to follow in Iran.
Great summary. It seems that Afghanistan has much potential with proper development. Unfortunately, the West is not done sanctioning it yet. It's not completely clear to me what major gains the West hopes to achieve by continuing to freeze out the government.
The canal is an interesting project, and your mention of it here was my first exposure. This part of the world is ripe for water wars, given its aridity. It looks like the Amu Darya drains into the Aral Sea, which I believe is already almost dry even now, due to massive existing irrigation projects (from the Soviet days?), which have turned it into a giant salt flat. Pulling off even more water from one of the few major rivers draining into it will finish the job.
Funny that you don't mention China which along with Russia is reportedly making economic agreements. Apparently, there is now a good road linking to the Chinese border. Mining agreements appear to be underway.
Interesting piece, which reminds me of Lindsey Graham's boundless enthusiasm for Project Afghanistan. A couple comments:
- Shoving Afghanistan into the arms of BRICs with idiotic sanctions further emphasizes the folly of sanctions policy. How many failures are needed before changing course?
- One wonders how the situation might be different had we not gone there with a key objective of creating a western wokocracy. It seems like we could've discouraged the pedophilia thing without stripping men of their traditional societal role and instead just focused on creating an ally in a crucial region. And if we had taken China's approach, we may have created a prosperous and healthy friend versus an a devastated enemy. The sheer stupidity of a west in thrall of its idiotic universal values alongside its naked colonialism is just mind boggling.
- So ironic to be thankful to the Taliban for reducing opium production. Makes you wonder who was really benefiting before the Taliban returned.
- Were Pakistan's ties to Afghanistan deliberated damaged when Pakistan's leadership was swapped out?
- Curious what China and Russia really think about India. India's residual ties to the UK make me suspicious that they are a possible source of future discord via the invisible hand of the UK. By all external appearances India should be a natural founding member of BRICs, but I can't shake my distrust of the UK as a cancerous source of global chaos.