The trials and tribulations of the Afghanis

The people of Afghanistan are unfortunate victims of geography. For centuries the mountainous terrains of this country – populated by warm, rugged, Islamic warrior tribes – have been at the crossroads of civilization; acting as conduits, as participants, and more often as scapegoats in the intriguing tales of international diplomacy and political machinations of countries, who sought control and use of this important piece of land for their own selfish economic and political reasons. Afghanistan is the heart of central Asia. One side is China, the other side is Russia, and on the third side is the Indian subcontinent, not to forget the proximity of Iran, Egypt, and Tibet on the fourth side. The silk routes that passed through this land were the sinews of trade and commerce that filled the coffers of the world. The Mountains and their hidden passes were thoroughfares to merchants, spies, and common man alike. This strategic location has provided the perfect camouflage for surreptitious business deals and clandestine takeovers. In the Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, The English and the Russians used this land to play their cat and mouse game of control over the Indian subcontinent. In fact, History refers to this clash between the English and Russians over Afghanistan as “the great game” or as one book titles it “A tournament of shadows”. The story is as fascinating as it is sad for the people of Afghanistan, who were sandwiched between two great powers who mercilessly used the naivete of the Afghani’s to further their own agenda, often at a great price to the locals, their sovereignty and dignity.

The twenty-first century brought a little calm and quiet to the region. A nation was tentatively formed, and something resembling nationhood gradually formed in those hilly terrains. Islam still ruled, and leaders kept the rigor of their religion intact. But how long can a people who recognized only tribal allegiance and Allah and no overarching order in the form of man-made statehood be ever kept quiet, In the 1950’s and 60’s the tribal factions erupted, and in-fighting that ensued almost bankrupted the country? As is always the case in such encounters, it is the common man who bears the brunt of such strife. Out of the crucible of many factions, rose the Taliban in the early eighties, as a stronger and more persuasive Islamic force. Their Islamic interpretation was literal, and the laws and codes of Islamic life inviolable. Then 9/11 happened, and the global equations changed overnight. Osama bin laden was the wanted man, and the US landed with their might on Afghan soil to capture the man dead or alive. It is another matter, the Al Qaeda leader was in Pakistan most of the time and eventually killed there by the seals, but it was Afghanistan, once again that bore the brunt of the US presence. Having landed there, the US was keen on setting right the balance in the region, and as always, they imposed a Democratic regime and appointed a President to act on their behalf. The ominous presence of the Taliban was always felt, and the fragile nation needed the superior arm power of the US to keep the Islamic fundamentalists at bay. But the question is: For how long? The US was pouring billions and trillions of dollars into the region to keep peace, knowing that the reason they came there in the first place was long accomplished. keeping the US any longer in Afghanistan wasn’t going to help. The Afghani’s had to become self-reliant.

It is questionable whether the timing of the US government to withdraw its troops was right or not? It is difficult to say. The Taliban has been making inroads into several adjoining districts around Kabul for months now, and the intelligent reports warned of an imminent Taliba take over if the US decided to step out. As predicted, within days of US withdrawal, the inevitable happened. The Taliban literally, I mean literally, strolled into Kabul. The titular president Ashraf Ghani had fled to a neighboring country, and the people of this great land of such poetry and grace are once again in the throes of confusion and chaos. For the last twenty years, they have tasted the flavor of modernity, of education, of liberal living; and now, all of a sudden, they now wake up to a morning when all that they had held dear can vanish like a mist. It has been just a couple of days since the Taliban has taken over, and as of now, their voice seems to be one of calm and accommodation. The leaders of the Taliban know they have an international presence and attention now, and it is the only time, before neighboring countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and perhaps India, will begin to make overtures towards it. It will be foolish of the Taliban to proclaim the Sharia law immediately and earn the displeasure of the international community. If they have matured at all in the intervening years, the Taliban will bide its time. They will be prepared to wait. They will restore some amount of public confidence, makes things look right; before the real agenda is unveiled. And by that time, the geo-political equations would have irrevocably changed on the ground.

It is hard for us to imagine what an afghani would be going through now, especially the women. Sitting in the comfort of an Air-conditioned room, living in a free country with all the protections of the law, it is easy to sympathize with the people in Afghanistan, and trade messages on whatsup. But let me tell you, the existential fear the Afghani’s must be going through is inexpressible. When the Nazis marched into Paris on June 14th, 1940, Paris was dead silent. By the time the German tanks made their way in, nearly two million Parisians had fled the country, and many more went into hiding. Before long, the Nazis got into action: arrests, shootings, and looting began. By the end of the day, the Swastika flag flew proudly over the Arc de Triomphe, the symbol of liberty. The Taliban take over reminds me of this moment. Very similar, yet so very different. When Paris fell, the world woke up, the US acted decisively and froze the assets of Germany. Will the world respond with the same vigor to this “invasion” by the Taliban? Should it be only the US again that should stand up and fight? or will other nations join in restoring the hard-won democratic freedoms in Afghanistan?

If the Taliban manages to legitimize its position, then the balance of Central Asia will shift to a newer equilibrium. The ultimate test is the will of the people. But that is easier said than asked and done. Where is the question of will, when life and liberty are at stake?

God bless…

yours in mortality,

Bala