ORAC,
Unfortunately one cannot isolate the past from the present or the future....as it all has connections, influences, old wrongs, and debts owed that shall determine how the future turns out.
Likewise, Religion, Politics, and government shall all play a role in how this turns out....how do you ignore those influences without looking to the past.
China has some policies that are going to be a cause of discord with the Taliban it would appear....so I would be surprised that the new China -Afghanistan shall be a smooth road to travel in the future.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/25/...c-cooperation#