ISTANBUL (TURKISH JOURNAL)- It’s bad enough that Afghanistan fell to the Taliban largely due to a very flawed American foreign policy according to a recent Pentagon report. But what’s especially worse for the U.S. is that now China has stepped in as the Taliban’s new partner.
This is exactly what the U.S. should have feared and should have made sure would never happen. China has jumped at the chance to rescue nations (primarily in Africa) since for years the U.S. neglected to effectively shore up its influence in that region and realize the extent of China’s outreach.
Where U.S. foreign policy fell short is in the assumption that America will always remain the world’s one and only formidable superpower. That simply isn’t the case anymore. China has insidiously inserted its influence abroad in the last decade while America remained largely on the periphery until (especially during the Trump administration) when the ‘China alarm’ began which resulted in consistent warnings about China’s intent to power grab abroad.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new news but the reality has now begun to slap America in the face as Taliban spokesman Zubihullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday that China will be Afghanistan’s “main partner.” In reconstruction efforts. He also said China plans to assist the new Taliban government in using its copper resources and entering into global markets. Mujahid said Afghanistan admires China’s Belt and Road Initiative since it has plans to revive the ancient Silk Road.
Clearly, the U.S. government missed the boat and must face facts: China is a superpower to be reckoned with but cautiously. The U.S. for far too long has remained insular which is precisely what has enabled China to fill the void where America failed.It’s high time the U.S. government scrapped its doomed foreign policy in the region and quickly formulate a strategic path to retain its waning influence abroad.
A tall order and one rife with obstacles. As the U.S. government on Sunday, froze $9.5 billion in Afghan assets in U.S. institutions in a bid to block financing a Taliban government it left the door open for its nemesis to jump in. The U.S. move makes sense as America would do well not to finance terror. Let China bankroll Afghanistan because it’s common knowledge that any Afghan assets released by the U.S. will never reach those it should – the Afghan people whose fate hangs in an excruciatingly delicate balance.. And this fact, in and of itself remains the travesty it so heartbreakingly is.
