China's view of US involvement in Afghanistan

Very interesting opinion piece from China News:


Afghanistan reflects US' self-obsession
By Sun Zhuangzhi (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-24 07:48

"...The first difference is in security interests. Washington's major concern is to prevent the Taliban and al-Qaida from launching attacks on US soil and its overseas facilities and personnel. But China, as Afghanistan's neighbor, also needs to tackle non-traditional security threats such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other cross-border crimes. Besides, the insistence of the US and its allies to continue their military strikes against the Taliban and consolidation of their military presence in Central and South Asia have put extra pressure on China's defense and security plans.

The second difference is over economic input. The US has a huge number of troops in Afghanistan that provide security for its assistance projects. America gets priority in project selection because it offers "protection" to the Hamid Karzai government. And its economic input is aimed at paying for its military operations. In contrast, Chinese enterprises face great risk while working for Afghanistan's reconstruction and encounter fierce international competition in getting a contract. And unlike the US, Chinese investments are mainly in roads, hospitals and schools, and come without any riders.

The third difference is in the choice of government. The US insists on establishing a Western-style "democratic" regime and has been trying to force its political model on the backward country, which resulted in the chaos in last year's presidential polls. On the other hand, China believes the Afghans (of all ethnic groups and political parties) should decide on what form of government they want based on their culture, tradition and domestic conditions.

And the fourth difference is over geopolitical objectives. The US has an offensive counterterrorism strategy, in which Afghanistan is being used as a pawn to help it maintain its global dominance and contain its competitors. China, on the contrary, pursues a defensive national defense policy and wants to have good relations as neighbors of Afghanistan. .."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-03/24/content_9632407.htm


Essentially, the opinion of China is that after 10 years of invasion/occupation/puppet support, Afg/Pak is more unstable and out of control than ever. China has Afghanistan on its northwest border and the instability that results in increased cross-border drug smuggling, arms smuggling, refugees, etc. is a threat to its security. Not to mention US combat forces so near to China. I have always felt that if we continue to swat those hornets' nests in the area, that it would spread to neighboring regions. Aside from mollifying our regional bully in the ME, what goal does our occupation of Afghanistan seek to accomplish?

Always good to consider another's point of view, no?




Just my dos centavos

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