2021 - New World order

 

Afghanistan 2021 - Turning point in the history

As the world is witnessing the Taliban taking over Afghanistan with no resistance either militarily or diplomatically, I sense a new beginning in the world order with US taking a back seat and China in the front acting as a sole “Super Power” without any announcement or declaration.

Analyzing the events from 2019, when Trump was making a case for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, many NATO allies were quickly bought into the idea, as most of the European allies were badly hit by economic downturn and Brexit becoming a reality, creating a situation which needed focus on their own economies.

Taliban leaders who were either operating from Pakistan and interiors of Afghanistan sensing the reluctance of the US to continue, played it cards well and participated in discussions with various US and Arab leaders. With the change in the leadership in US, Joe Biden taking over the baton has shown haste in moving out of Afghanistan, has given Taliban leaders the power to negotiate harder.

With things becoming more chaotic after the Doha meetings and no clear communication, as to what solution has been accepted by the parties for the future and peace in Afghanistan, Russia and China has taken an open position and started discussing with the Taliban, with Pakistan in the backdrop. These discussions by regional leaders, has raised the morale of the Taliban leaders and claimed legitimacy for their role in the running the nation.

As the UN and entire democratic world watching in dismay, Taliban took over Kabul in less than 7 days, against a timeline of 6 to 9 months given by the various thinktanks and Middle east / Afghan region specialists. While the take over seems quick and surprising, I was looking for the trigger which caused this fast-paced developments, by studying the Op Eds, comments and articles by Global thinkers across and actions taken by various governments. I sense a new world order is up on us, Taliban taking over Kabul marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history which is silently changing the context of the world leadership and its future.

Such a historical and global event happening in the most war prone zone is shown in the Global television as a non event to cover up the failures of the Western leaders. US and NATO countries realizing the costs for being world leaders and COVID-19 shaking the strength of many economies, has evidently moved the power from West to the East.

China has been developing its economy for more than two decades, now has become the manufacturing hub for the world and has built a decent military strength. China making clear its intentions of taking over the role of Global Leader by creating the situations in South China seas, handling of Hongkong protests with no serious comments from advanced nations, Suppressing the Taiwan’s Independent status, testing India on its north-east border with its expansionist policy. China seems to be in rush to take over the mantle from US, hence inviting Taliban and extending the support for them in taking over and building the nation.

China made the first move to meet the Taliban, clearing hoping for maximum control on the mineral assets of the region and with a push to its BELT and road initiative for accessing the middle east. China is now clearly showing the signs of a nation which is not worried about the might or the right of others, which was earlier USA’s strategy.

Post COVID, when many countries are working on regaining or reshaping their economies, China is showing its strength by involving in the world affairs and pushing its narrative in all the continents, are the world leaders allowing this intentionally or with helplessness?  We are living in the times where the great change is happening, with Asia taking the Global leadership, China with its military might and India with its democratically right policy.