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The scenario of Russia's involvement in combating Terrorism in Afghanistan
Mahdi Munadi
2015-11-15
Region : Asia, SouthAsia, Russia, Afghanistan,
Issue : Security, Terrorism,
The recent changes in security situation and increasing ISIS threats from Afghanistan and the region have strengthened new scenarios such as entering Russia into combating terrorism. Russian air strikes and the formation of a coalition -which China is going to join- in Syria against terrorism, facilitate formation of another block in order to challenge American's order in the east. It seems that Fukuyama's end of history is going to end and a new history begins by the new block. However, America's order has been making things worth, not only terrorism is not defeated, but also getting stronger in the Middle East and South Asia. Generally, if we look at the whole situation and circumstances in Afghanistan, we can see that two major variable in the war of Afghanistan and the region have changed. The first, value targets, performance and scope of radicals is changed. In the past, most radicals were in the South and East part of Afghanistan, but now they are in the north. In the past there was no image that these forces were going to shift to Central Asia, while now realistically or unrealistically it is believed that they are going to the North in Central Asia and North East in Xinjiang of China. The second variable is the perceptions about the role of America in combating the terrorism. In the past, people and countries in the region trusted America's role in combatting terrorism, but now, not only Afghans have lost their confidence, but also countries in the region did so. In the past, countries in the region, especially Russia, in some cases like drug trafficking was working with America in Afghanistan. Even, when it came to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, Russia was concerned. Recently Putin made a speech in the United Nations and mentioned "America could found water on Mars, but could not find the roots of radical groups and emphasizes removing radicals in our region", from which can be perceived that America is not willing to combat terrorism and might even support some groups such as the ISIS to unsafe Central Asian countries.
Changes in these variables could expand the scope of the threat of terrorism, not only in Afghanistan, but can skirt the northern states, Afghanistan is stuck! Meanwhile, northern countries, especially Russia will not just work on strengthening border and increasing border forces, but based on pre-emptive strike or preemptive literature that America has created, they will start air strikes in Afghanistan against the radicals. On the other hand the evolution of China's policies and alignment with Russia on Syria indicates that China is not just an observer anymore. China will start working to secure the region and his economic programs.
The scenario of military action by Russia and Possibly China is looked nice among Afghans, but they are not thinking about possible competition among Russia and China with North America and NATO. As Afghans had experienced in the cold war, this competition will change Afghanistan to second, Syria, which is destroyed in competition between Russia and America and regional country. Great Powers after World War II got to a rationalism to never fight directly with each other due to the nuclear weapons and deterrence, but solve their problem in poor, fragile and failed States. Thus, it can be imagined, the great powers competition in Afghanistan is the beginning of destruction of Afghanistan.
On the other hand, other scenarios also can be forecasted in the region, which is the cooperation based on common interests (combating terrorism) between Russia and China with NATO. However, this scenario due to the competition of these two blocks in Ukraine and Syria is less acceptable, but it is acceptable in International Relation, super powers are following two opposite policy at the same time. Through this literature, it is accepted that powers competing in one region, but cooperating in the other. Meanwhile, a possible cooperation through this scenario is also discussable.
Internally the multiplicity of perceptions about war or peace with the Taliban has addressed Afghans in different categories. There are groups who still believe in peace, while others are willing the complete war against the Taliban. It seems it is time for Afghans to unify their interpretation about enemy. According to one interpretation of the enemy, they can unify their security forces against Radicals. Additionally, it is assumed Afghans are dependent variable to regional and beyond regional power, now it's time to get out of the dependent variable in policies and regional and extra-regional countries about the possible actions through a conscious decision. As far as Afghans are in conflict, they should manage the fight against terrorism and obtain assistances from other countries. Afghan's government should not be assumed in other power managements'. In the worst case scenario if Afghans give the ability to U.S to management to combat terrorism, may also lead to intervention by Russia and China and Afghanistan will become another Syria. So the only way to save Afghanistan not to change into another Syria is saving the country's ability to maintain an independent variable in nature and logically gain extra-regional actors to engage in the fight against terrorism.
Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of FORE INDIA

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