Tel Aviv: With the US troops drawdown from Afghanistan on the verge of completion, a new terror axis is emerging in the Afghan-Pak geopolitical theatre with the convergence of interests between Pakistan, China and Turkey.
Amid the Taliban’s increasing grip over Afghanistan, Pakistan has dropped all pretensions of being an ally of the US led-western countries despite the much-needed American safety net on key issues that have a direct impact on its economy.
Writing for The Times of Israel, foreign policy expert Fabien Baussart said the emergence of a new axis became clear towards the end of June when Pakistan rolled back its commitments for IMF bailout. Later, Imran Khan went to the town declaring that his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would not give any base to the American forces.”
In recent weeks, even the Taliban have since played down China’s concerns on the Uyghur Muslims issue. Beijing believes that under Taliban rule, Afghanistan will become a hub for the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM).
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become the helmsman of Islamists with his aim to attain the leadership of the Muslim world and revive the Ottoman glory.
From all accounts, Baussarts stated that China seeks to fill the unfolding void in Afghanistan. “It is ready with cash and weapons that the Taliban may need in case the nationalist forces try to checkmate its expansion within the country.”
All the three – Turkey, China and Pakistan are eying Afghanistan primarily for its metals, minerals, and other natural wealth, Baussart concluded.