Afghanistan’s alliance with the United States and NATO has pushed the country to the brink of isolation at the regional level. The ambiguity of American goals and the resultant suspicions have prompted many regional states to build and maintain relations with the Taliban instead of Afghan government. Washington neither supports Kabul to the extent that it can protect itself from the evil of neighbors nor allows it to take the initiative to independently build a regional consensus for restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan – a situation that continues to take its heavy toll on Afghan nation.
In a latest incident, Tajik or Russian planes have reportedly carried out airstrikes in Takhar’s Darqad district located on Tajik-Afghan border. Jawad Hejri, a spokesperson for Takhar governor has said that drugs smugglers had clashed with Tajik border forces, killing two border guards. Tajik forces, according to him, have later bombed and fired rockets into the forested areas of Darqad district. Hejri has not provided any information about the casualties caused by the strikes because the areas targeted are under Taliban control. Tajik officials have not commented on the incident yet, but Russia has denied involvement in the air raid.
If reports of Tajik or Russian airstrikes in Takhar are true, the Afghan war will enter a new, extremely dangerous phase. It effectively turns Afghanistan into a second Syria. With that, Russia currently accused of only having contacts with, or aiding the Taliban will get militarily involved in Afghanistan, while thousands of American and NATO troops are based here.
The most dreadful scenario about the future of Afghanistan was that the country might once again become a battlefield for Russia and US. If the situation is not controlled in a logical way, the Takhar incident can precipitate such a war. The United States and Russia have previously flexed their military muscles in Afghanistan during the Afghan Jihad. It is, however, slightly different this time; they have switched sides. The US backs Afghan government, while Russia supports the anti-government militants. If Moscow also equips the militants with anti-aircraft missiles and other advanced weaponry, as the CIA did in 80s, it becomes impossible to prevent a repeat of the experience of the defeat of Russians in Afghanistan. Realizing the sensitivity of the situation, Afghan government must not take actions that may further push Afghanistan to burn for the sake of American interests.
Afghanistan “in flames” for sake of American interests
