Afghanistan 2021 Onwards

[skridlov]

It looks like the Panjshir rebellion is crushed already. It never had much chance given the Taliban's strategic wisdom in closing off all the border access - to Tajikstan in this instance. That plus the fact that the Talibs are now equipped with the full panoply of US military hardware (excepting significant aviation assets). Expect to see footage of the jubilant destruction of Ahmad Shah Massoud's Panjshir shrine in the near future. It's hard to imagine how Abdullah Abdullah, Massoud's erstwhile closest aide, will feel watching that now that he's installed as a fig leaf of "inclusiveness" in the government along with Karzai. Today the release of a list of new Afghan ministers omits them both, along with any women at all. There are however a rich selection of international terrorists and bandits in key roles, notably a couple of the Haqquanis - a clan that humanity could well do without. At least Karzai can expect some measure of support from the Pashtun Popalzai clan, of which he's a member. I think that Tajiks like Abdullah can expect a bad outcome.

And now we can look forward to the "international appeals for aid" to support this crew of demons in their attempts to drag Afghanistan back into the Middle Ages. I saw one report stating that it was essential to restore the country's economy. Which is hilarious as Afghanistan never had an economy other than international aid and opium. Still, get your wallets out.

The issue of Afghanistan's mineral assets comes up regularly and no doubt the Chinese are interested even despite the fact that they've sunk billions into the putative copper mine at Mes Aynak without producing so much as an anti-arthritis copper bracelet. A recent article in mining dot com gave a very good analysis of the mineral prospects - which have been grossly exaggerated as the data mostly comes from sketchy surveys done during the Soviet occupation. Then there's the issue of a total lack of infrastructure required. Water; electricity; transportation (the nearest port is Karachi!). Add to that the fact that Afghanistan shares a short border with the Chinese province of Xinjiang where the PRC government is engaged (pretty successfully so far) in suppressing the Uighurs' Islamic culture. It's an interesting juxtaposition. Someone's principles are going to have to flex a lot.