While conflict in Afghanistan was contained in the south and east for many years, its expansion into northern Afghanistan rattled its more powerful neighbors, especially China, Russia, Iran, and Uzbekistan. Specifically, it is worried about potential spillover of Islamic extremism from Afghanistan into Western China and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Russia is concerned that such violence could spillover into Central Asia, a region it considers its ‘near abroad’ and its exclusive sphere of influence. RecommendationsThe U.S. has lost enormous credibility in Central and South Asia after its twenty-year engagement in Afghanistan. 5 Shuli Ren, “How Afghanistan Snags China in a $282 Billion Creditor Trap,” Washington Post, accessed May 4, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/how-afghanistan-snagschina-ina-282-billion-creditor-trap/2021/08/18/0a5995b4-007d-11ec-87e0-7e07bd9ce270_story.html.

Source: Washington Post May 17, 2022 21:06 UTC