EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Taliban has control of Afghanistan once again. The power elites throughout the globe will act as though this is a surprise to them, inconceivable, unplanned and unwanted. The Taliban will consolidate its power in one of three ways.

1) Announce a joint partnership with the liberal/moderate administration. This partnership can last a few years or a short time, allowing the Taliban to cleanse the government and nation of its enemies, and then consolidate its power. This time will be used to further their alliance with their neighbour Pakistan, whose leadership and military have advanced The Taliban’s momentum and vision.

2) In an all out effort to carry out their stereo typical Religious-Socio genocide. Yes, thousands will be killed, imprisoned, tortured and driven from their homeland to be dealt with later.

3) Develop direct partnerships with China. China has thirsted for Afghanistan’s mineral and petroleum deposits for a long time. Afghanistan will need revenue, while China has it in abundance. The Chinese are used to working with contrarian ideologies and extremist organisations like the Taliban. Where do you think The Taliban has gotten its weapons from? China through the Pakistan intermediary. This option will possibly lead to Chinese troops located in Afghanistan. If this happens the Chinese will do what most other super powers have done, try to colonize an uncontrollable nation.

Who are The Taliban? A loose union of local militias united by two things, greed and religion. Much of The Taliban has raised revenue through criminal enterprises such as the growth of and exportation of Opium and other plant-based drugs. Where there is private militias, you will always find crime. The Taliban is made up of many personal fiefdoms who are paid through illicit means. Death is their way, while Power is their game goal.

America made the mistake of getting involved in anti-terrorist actions direct in Afghanistan without considering the history of this nation and its people. Furthermore America misunderstood the Afghanistan people, their hopes and strengths. Afghanistan has been colonized by many nations ranging from ancient Indian empires, The Mongols, France, Britain and, most recently, Soviet Russia and America. Not one power understood what an historian would, that Afghanistan exists for the Afghans and no other. These people live in the most perfect place to wage long term guerrilla warfare. Like Vietnam with its vast jungles, Afghanistan has flat plains always surrounded by severe mountains and a most inhospitable climate.

The American military told their political bosses they could wage a successful war against The Taliban. These elected officials believed them and there you have it, another war the American war Machine can profit from. Many lives later America leaves this land, a land they should never have gone to. This time American President Biden may have done the math and accepted that a war in Afghanistan cannot be won.

So now Afghanistan will remain the place of terror and death to its people for a time. Those who helped the foreign armies will suffer. Perhaps The Taliban leadership will plan for the future. Hopefully not a future of war and terror, but a future that is centered upon the benefit of its people. Afghanistan will never be a democracy. Perhaps President Biden had realised this fact. Afghans know this, and move along with their lives centred upon their faith, family and survival.

What can America, Canada and UK do to improve this situation? Well we have what Afghanistan needs, namely financial wealth, technology and with a open hand reaching out to these former enemies the possibility of friendship. Look what financial embargoes have done throughout the world. Make the average citizen within the embargoed nation suffer while their leadership enjoys booze, women and song. A true gesture of friendship will go a long way towards healing the hatred, ignorance and pain we and Afghanistan have suffered over the years. A different way of foreign policy needs to be developed and deployed throughout the world. Instead of the stick, a firm friendly hand. The foreign policy of Theodore Roosevelt used for the last hundred years by America, that of carrying a stick and being prepared to use it, has its place, but one can get more accomplished using honey instead of the stick.

Stop seeing our present day enemies as monsters, but as potential clients and maybe friends. Afghanistan can become a money pit sucking in good elements that build a freer prosperous society, instead of sucking in revenue, death machines and precious lives.

STEVEN KASZAB

Bradford, Ontario

August 16, 2021.