Collapse of the Last bastion of Resistance in Afghanistan

The fall of Panjshir, (acronym for Land of  Five Lions) to the Taliban  forces  has  completed the washout of any democratic, peaceful  or  secular administration  in the incessant strife ridden  Afghanistan.  After the fall of Trump administration in November 2020, Joe Biden  government of United State decided to  end their  military presence in the West Asian nation.  USA and NATO countries had been there for about 20 years, trying to  build up a democratic  government, after  punishing Al-Qayeda, ISIS  forces, who were believed to be behind  9/11 attacks on Twin Towers of  New York (2001)  and had been troubling them in Iraq.  The ‘democratically elected’ presidents  Hamid Karzai, Ashraf Ghani with US military support  and funding could not  stand 20 days  after withdrawal of US-NATO military.

The country of about Four crore citizens comprising of Pashtoons,  Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks and Turks  has a history of over four decades of turmoil and war-stiffen militant society.  Before the US presence in Afghanistan, Russian forces had been there for over 9 years (December 1979 to February 1989)  running a shoulder to shoulder  combat with Maoist and Shia rebels against Kabul regimes of Nur Muhammed Taraki,  and later Babrak Karmal.  Al Qayeda and other militant groups  ran the riot in West Asia until 1994-95 when the earlier band of  Talibans ruled Afghanistan until 2001.

The new Democratic  US administration led by President Biden decided to wind up operations  by September 2021 and hand over  control to Ashraf Ghani government with financial support by US, NATO and Western allies. They were expected to save the country from militant Taliban groups comprising of many  commanders of varying groupings and ideologies. US had already spent huge funds (estimated at US$ 2 Trillion including aids and military support) during the last 20 years and wished to wash their hands off this losing adventure.

Future Uncertain: The unexpected pace with which Taliban militants captured  control over Kabul and almost whole  country, in 20 odd days, has put political pundits in utter confusion and dismay. Nobody can venture to predict the form of Government, its constituents, policies and  actions or even stability of the new formulation.  Some stray announcements on stringent Shariat laws,  control of power by Hardliners and likely economic crises are just indicative and not  very progressive !

When the whole world is moving forward with openness, liberal governance and transferring maximum decision making to the Citizen and his wisdom;  stringent  laws, merciless punishment system imposed by Taliban, is like moving backwards to centuries old autocratic, mediaeval feudal systems.

Rise of Taliban is likely to provide an opportunity to countries like China, Pakistan, Turkey to fan terrorism, expansionist agenda  and  trouble neighboring   countries  like India, Central Asian Republics, Iran, Kuwait and Europe in near future !  China is keen to bargain vast deposits of minerals in Afghanistan with its surplus funds and rising position of  power in the global  stage.  It will manage a route to Arabian Sea through Middle East  and consolidate its infamous BRI project ! In Pakistan, a failed government of Imran Khan will have an opportunity to fish in trouble waters, as it did in Panjshir, by sending its Air Force planes, and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hamid .

What positive Dividends the new Afghan regime will offer the world is awaited by the World  !