Taliban Attendance at Beijing Forum Signals China’s Policy of Engagement
Roshan Noorzai
VOA News
October 18, 2023
WASHINGTON — This week, China’s Belt and Road forum in Beijing was not only a chance for Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold meetings with world leaders, it also was a rare opportunity for the Taliban, which has yet to be recognized by any country.
The Taliban’s attendance at the meeting, which marks the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative or BRI, was the highest-profile multilateral meeting the group has attended since its takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Experts say the Taliban’s invitation BRI forum signals the continuation of China’s policy of engagement with the group.
According to Taliban spokesperson Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, acting minister of industry and commerce, Nooruddin Aziz, led the delegation to Beijing to attend the two-day meeting.
“In general, the minister of industry and commerce’s goals are to strengthen economic, trade and transit relations with China,” Jawad said in a video sent to media on the WhatsApp messaging platform on Monday.
In a joint statement in May, China and Pakistan announced that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship of the BRI, would be extended to Afghanistan, a major diplomatic win for the Taliban who took power in August 2021.
Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at Britain’s Royal United Services Institute and a visiting senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told VOA that inviting the Taliban to the forum is “a continuation of the Chinese approach to the Taliban.”
“The Chinese have, since the Taliban had taken over, been very forward in their engagement with the Taliban, treating them very much like a sort of government in Afghanistan,” said Pantucci.
‘Close Relationship’
In September, China became the first country to send an ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban took power two years ago.
However, China has not officially recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan.
“They don’t want to be the first one to do it,” said Pantucci.
No country has yet recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, with most demanding that the group first form a more inclusive government, respect the rights of women, and ensure their territory is not used for attacks on other countries.
Nevertheless, China has a “close relationship with the Taliban,” said Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai, author and researcher at the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington think tank.
Yousafzai told VOA that besides economic and security considerations, China’s engagement with the Taliban is motivated in part by its rivalry with the U.S.
The invitation to the forum “is a signal to the U.S. that as the U.S. wants to isolate the Taliban, China wants to build its relationship with them,” said Yousafzai.
‘Boost Morale’
“The Taliban are in isolation at the moment,” Yousafzai added. “So, in such a situation, the Taliban need someone just to engage with them whether it is economically, politically, strategically or in any form.”
Javid Ahmad Qaem, the former Afghan ambassador to China, told VOA that participation in the forum gives Taliban officials a chance to engage not only with Chinese officials but also those from other countries.
“China wants to provide a platform to the Taliban to negotiate with other international players,” said Qaem.
China Investment
The Taliban also wants China to invest in Afghanistan, Qaem said.
Chinese private companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan and have signed some contracts with the Taliban in recent months, but Qaem said Beijing has not committed to investing in major infrastructure projects.
He added, if the Taliban can convince China to invest in Afghanistan, “that will be a major achievement.”
“I doubt that,” said Qaem. “There are pledges but I don’t see it on the ground.”
China has voiced concerns over issues related to terrorism in Afghanistan.
“Security is the foundation and prerequisite of development,” stated China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement about its position on Afghanistan.
Noshaba Ashna of VOA’s Afghan Service contributed to this story, which originated in VOA’s Afghan Service.
Poll: Most US Adults View Afghanistan As An Adversary
Ayaz Gul
VOA News
October 18, 2023
ISLAMABAD — A new survey finds that most American adults perceive Afghanistan as an adversary rather than an ally of the United States, and two-thirds believe the nearly 20-year Afghan war was not worth fighting.
The nationwide poll’s findings from the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research come two years after the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the return of the Taliban to power. The U.S. had invaded the South Asian nation to punish the then-Taliban rulers for harboring al-Qaida leaders who planned the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Many of those surveyed were skeptical about how successfully the U.S. achieved its key objectives, such as eliminating the threat from extremists or improving opportunities for women in Afghanistan.
While 46% of adults believed the war successfully captured or killed those responsible for the 9/11 terror strikes on the U.S., only 16% said that Washington had succeeded in developing a functioning Afghan government. Less than a quarter of adults, or 22%, said the U.S. successfully improved opportunities for women in Afghanistan.
“The findings show that few think the U.S. succeeded during the war in improving opportunities for Afghan women, but most still view advancing the rights of Afghan women as an important foreign policy goal,” said Sheila Kohanteb, Forum Executive Director at The Pearson Institute for Study and Resolution of Global Conflict.
“The public clearly believes the U.S. should try to help improve the situation of Afghan women, and many continue to hear about the restrictions being placed on women in Afghanistan,” Kohanteb added.
The Taliban have imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law across the impoverished country since reclaiming power and installing their men-only government in Kabul. They have restricted women’s rights to education and work. Women are forbidden from visiting public places, such as parks and gyms, and undertaking long road trips without a close male guardian.
The U.S. survey reveals that 41% of adults think Afghanistan is an enemy, and another 42% say it is unfriendly, while only 14% report it is an ally or friendly nation.
Regarding current foreign U.S. policy goals in Afghanistan, 77% of adults say it is at least somewhat important to eliminate the threat of Islamic extremists taking shelter in the country, and 74% support advancing the rights of women and girls.
The survey indicated that 59% were unaware of the Taliban retaking control in 2021, and 64% had not heard about the restrictions on women.
The poll showed that 68% of U.S. adults had heard at least something about the U.S. troop withdrawal, but fewer had heard about the treatment by the Taliban of Afghan citizens who worked with the United States during the war. Only 52% had heard a lot or some information, while 47% said they had heard little or nothing.
While withdrawing its troops in August 2021, the U.S. also airlifted tens of thousands of Afghans from Kabul airport, who worked closely with international troops during their two-decade-long presence in Afghanistan. But many more are still trying to flee the country, fearing retribution from the Taliban and urging Washington to meet what they say is its moral responsibility to ensure their safety.
World Cup: Inspired Afghanistan eye another upset in New Zealand clash
Ariana: The Afghanistan side will look to carry forward the lessons from their England triumph into Chennai, where they will meet a strong New Zealand outfit in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Wednesday, October 18. Afghanistan’s win over England brought a new sense of enthusiasm to the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Besides shaking up the points table, Afghanistan have shown that they can beat any side in the tournament on their day. Click here to read more (external link).
Young Social Activist Dies Under Taliban Torture in Kabul City
Taliban fighters (file photo)
8am: Local sources have confirmed the tragic death of a young social activist who succumbed to torture while in a Taliban prison. The sources, speaking to Hasht-e Subh on Tuesday, October 17th, verified that the victim was Matiullah Fathzada, who passed away due to his injuries two days prior while in Taliban custody. It is noteworthy that since their resurgence to power, the Taliban have detained, imprisoned, and in some cases, executed hundreds of residents from northern provinces, particularly Panjshir province. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – October 17, 2023
US Senator Calls to Cut Funding to Afghanistan
Rand Paul
Tolo News: A US senator has criticized the process of sending money to Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate. The Senator says that he has suggested legislation preventing US money flowing into Afghanistan. “I have introduced legislation to stop all funds from going to Taliban controlled Afghanistan. And will do so again this week!” reads the X post of Rand Paul. Click here to read more (external link).
IOC to monitor support for women’s cricket in Afghanistan ahead of LA 2028
Ariana: Will the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allow the Afghanistan men’s cricket team to participate at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the absence of a women’s team? IOC president Thomas Bach has said the governing body will continue to “monitor very closely” how much access and support women receive to play sport in the country. The Afghanistan question was put to Bach on Monday at a media briefing in Mumbai, immediately after IOC members voted in favor of T20 cricket featuring at the LA Games in five years, ESPNCricinfo.com reported. Afghanistan are the only Full Member country to not have a women’s cricket team, despite it being a key criteria for ICC membership. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Cricket News
ISIS Resembles the Taliban
8am: Now that the Taliban is the dominant force in Afghanistan, ISIS-K is playing the role that the Taliban once played against the Western-backed government: an archenemy that focuses more on violence and rabid terrorism than anything else, to challenge the opponent with complete ruthlessness. In this way, the Taliban, being widely criticized due to the bad management of the Zanda-Jan district tragedy, are under more pressure due to their inability to provide security for the Shia worshipers in Baghlan Province. That is when they always present global security as one of their achievements to the people of Afghanistan and the world. Most importantly, ISIS-K now challenges the Taliban’s boast of “providing national security” and while it quenches its thirst for anti-Shia by killing Shiites, it increases the Shia community’s anger towards the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Conflict Erupts Between Taliban Factions in Ghor Province
8am: Sources from the region stated on Monday evening, October 16th, that the Tajik and Pashtun factions within the Taliban engaged in a confrontation within the security command area of the group in Ghor province. According to the sources, tensions between the Tajik and Pashtun factions escalated from verbal exchanges at the entrance gate of the Ghor security command to a physical altercation. Recently, in a clash between Pashtun and Tajik factions of the Taliban in the village of Masjid-e Safid in the Baharak district of Takhar province, five Pashtun Taliban fighters were killed, and two other members of the group were injured as a result of the conflict. Click here to read more (external link).