The fall of Kabul on 15th August 2021 is going to be the most important day for the politics of the 21st century. The return of the Taliban to power proves that winning Afghanistan is next to impossible. The British tried it and failed, Soviets tried it and failed, and now after 20 years of battle- Americans have lost the battle. The question is who is going to be the next. The natural answer to that question is China.
There should be no doubt that China’s ally Pakistan has a vested interest in Afghanistan. Taliban is Pakistan’s natural ally. Taliban in Afghanistan means stability in Pakistan’s western border. A democratic government in Afghanistan means a good relationship with India. And Pakistan doesn't want India’s presence on their Eastern and Western sides. There should not be any doubt that Pakistan has fed these Taliban fighters for the last 20 years. Pakistan will project this as natives returning to their homeland.
The return of the Taliban will also destabilize the security in South-East Asia. Pakistan will feel safer now. Pakistan's relationship with India may deteriorate further. India should keep a vigil on what is happening in Afghanistan.
From the international perspective, it will probably end Islamophobia. The failure of America and NATO forces to predict the fall of the Afghan government will have multiple repercussions. This may be the end of America’s dominance on world matters. And will start the era of Chinese dominance. The way America and NATO failed to stop the Taliban invasion will certainly excite the Chinese and Russian military experts. However, the most distressing part is that a new era of Asian hate will begin in the West.
(Image source: The Economist)
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