Final solution, perhaps?
Once again Chinese political maturity speaks for itself; showing why they are not just the world’s second largest economy, but a major political player as well in an increasingly relevant region. Beijing has been concerned about developments in Afghanistan since before 9/11, when Taliban infiltration of its autonomous northwest region brought the first waves of religious disturbance to the Middle Kingdom. And now, with ISAF’s departure threatening to re-ignite the Afghan battlefield, China’s sober appreciation of ground realities might just present the Final Solution that is needed to bring peace to the troubled country.
The realisation that the Taliban need to be accommodated in Kabul is not new. Even the Americans have come round to this conclusion, however belatedly. For more than a decade they made the mistake of not differentiating al Qaeda and Taliban forces. Now, with the Taliban reinventing their insurgency with every Spring Offensive, Washington has wisely removed Mullah Omer from its wanted terrorists list, which speaks volumes. The overriding concern, it seems, is the future of the insurgency as it gains strength every year. Of course, it wouldn’t do to just declare victory and return, like after the Soviet War, since the enemy is home grown and threatens re-taking the capital.
Therefore it is of the utmost importance, as Beijing rightly contends, to accord legitimacy to President Ghani’s new government in Kabul. Only once it is safely in power will the new regime be able to make unprecedented moves that might just ensure long-term peace. And once Ghani is firmly in the seat, he must be seen owning the process to accommodate the Taliban and end the insurgency. All of Afghanistan’s friends, including Pakistan, have been helpful in this regard. The old ways, where one country allowed the other’s insurgency to use its land, can no longer be in play. And both Kabul and Islamabad seem to be playing ball, another factor appreciated by Beijing and Washington. The time has come to wrap up the Afghan problem and finally, after decades of disturbance, most pieces seem in place. China’s influence, and investments, will go a long way in stabilising Afghanistan. Hopefully these efforts will bear fruit, paving the way for economic and trade progress in the entire region.
