Taliban promise on moderate rule key to bringing stability
- The best chance of preventing more deadly terrorist attacks on Afghan soil lies in strong leadership by the Muslim group and its ability to provide security
Fears that the return of the Taliban would mean Afghanistan would again be fertile ground for terrorists have gained traction with twin suicide attacks outside Kabul’s airport.
More than 100 people trying to flee the Muslim group’s rule were killed, along with at least 13 American soldiers coordinating the exodus, in bombings claimed by the Afghan branch of the group Islamic State (Isis).
That the new rulers, who seized power from a Western-backed government less than two weeks ago, were unable to stop the tragedy, and almost 20 years of a United States-led military operation to defeat terrorism failed in its mission, lays bare the enormity of the challenge.
Only by the international community uniting and resolutely supporting the country’s leaders is there a chance of preventing it from once more being a safe haven for extremism that threatens the region and world.
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Although intelligence agents had warned Isis was planning to strike, Washington and its allies failed to stop the bombings that were roundly condemned by Beijing.
Questions abound as to how those responsible can be located given repeated US surveillance and security blunders.
The Taliban, opposed by Isis and starved of the financial resources needed to counter the threat as a result of Western opposition, is similarly limited in what it can do.
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China, Russia and other countries with an interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan are understandably concerned.
Their nations are among the few that have accepted the reality that the Taliban has the best chance of creating a new government and has to be worked with.
The group’s most pressing interests are funding and being able to ward off the threats of extremists such as Isis and al-Qaeda trying to reveal vulnerabilities through attacks and coerce its fighters to defect so that territory can be seized to build an Islamic caliphate.
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The bombings have revealed the ability of Isis and other extremists to carry out devastating attacks.
If they continue unabated, Afghanistan may again be turned into a breeding ground for terrorists and a base from which to launch regional and global strikes.
Governments should push the Taliban to keep its promise of moderate rule and take a pragmatic approach so that it can build strong leadership that is able to provide security and stability.
That is the best chance of curbing and preventing terrorism on Afghan soil.
