6 The Frontier Post Friday, June 11, 2021 Leader The Frontier Post JALIL AFRIDI Managing Editor Hosting US military bases a hot Printed and published by Mahmood Afridi at Moraka’s Printers, 27 Abdara Road, University Town, Peshawar. Peshawar Office: 091-5700095, 0300- 9009001 Peshawar Fax: 091-5703687, Post Box No. 573 potato for Afghanistan’s neighbors E-mail: [email protected] Lahore Office: 0335-4026284 ITH the pullout The US finally made the Niu Song appropriate alternative in could help the hegemonic Email: [email protected] of US troops decision to withdraw troops Afghanistan's periphery in force sustain its influence Islamabad Office: 0321-5066253 Wfrom Afghanis- after having been stuck in a tration of former US presi- indeed eyeing Tajikistan time, the expected effects on the Afghan situation, but Email: [email protected] tan, Pentagon officials are quagmire for nearly 20 dent George W. Bush to and Uzbekistan as potential of its policy of withdrawing will not contribute to ease Karachi Office: 021-32213411, 0300-8340907 making last-minutes years. It now is in a com- start a war in Afghanistan candidates for new bases. from Afghanistan will be the situation for everyday Email: [email protected] efforts to pursue basing plex and fully frustrated ps- to overthrow the Taliban However, it's hard to imag- significantly reduced. Afghans. Washington wor- “USA and Canada Toll Free Number 1-800-5905747 options with Afgha- ychological state. On the regime 20 years ago. But ine that Central Asian coun- However, a new US ries that Beijing and nistan's neighbors for one hand, Washington feels the cooperation between tries will easily allow military base on their terri- Moscow will fill the power future operations. Was- impotent to stabilize the Af- the two countries on the Washington to open bases. tory is no different from a vacuum after its troop with- hington continues to focus ghan situation; on the other, war in Afghanistan has put Currently, Central Asian hot potato - one that drawal. This only demon- on Pakistan for establish- it is unwilling to see itself the Pakistani government countries have some securi- Afghanistan's neighbors strates the US' hegemonic ing a military base in the lose control of Afghanistan under intense pressure from ty concerns. are unwilling to take over. logic. Afghan NDS, region, despite the fact after its troops' pullout. Islamic extremism. First, as the US is plan- Allowing Washington to China is practicing true that some American offi- Therefore, securing a Pakistan doesn't want to ning to completely with- operate a base can easily multilateralism by making cials believe the negotia- military base in be dragged into Afghan draw its troops from turn countries into a target efforts to promote the tions have reached an Afghanistan's neighbors affairs and draw fire upon Afghanistan, this irrespon- of the Taliban and anti-US Afghan peace process with- IS-K and impasse for now, The New has become a choice. itself anymore. Pakistani sible behavior may chal- forces throughout the in multilateral frameworks, York Times reported on Washington's purpose is to Foreign Minister Shah lenge the security of these region. The Afghan including the SCO, China- Monday. ensure it can still form a Mahmood Qureshi in May countries. Second, they Taliban has warned their Central Asia cooperation "While we have no bas- timely military deterrent ruled out the possibility of need to take into account neighbors against allowing and the China-Pakistan- Pakistan ing agreements to against Afghanistan even if any US military bases on its their relations with the US military to operate Afghanistan trilateral coop- announce, we know that its troops are withdrawn soil in the future. However, Moscow when coordinating bases on their soil. "We eration mechanism. The ECENT media reports revealed that Afghanistan's neighbors from the war-torn country. the US has not discarded its their relations with urge neighboring countries biggest strength of China's twenty-four Pakistani women along with share our desire to counter The most preferred attempts, and is still trying Washington. not to allow anyone to do methods is that relevant Rtheir forty six children are languishing in the scourge of global terror- option is for the US to oper- to persuade it. The withdrawal of the so," the Taliban said in a parties can participate on Pul-e-Charkhi jail in Kabul. These women had ism," a Defense ate a base is Pakistan. This Apart from Pakistan, US troops is, in fact, a new recent statement, adding the basis of equality, inte- been arrested by the Afghan Intelligence Department spokesperson is why Washington is mak- another obvious option for military strategy to deal that they would "not grate multilateral and bilat- was quoted as saying by ing great efforts to persuade Washington would be with the changes of the sit- remain silent in the face of eral efforts, and proactively Agency, NDS on charges of having affiliation ANI/Sputnik Monday. Islamabad to allow it to do Central Asia. US troops uation in Afghanistan. It is such heinous and provoca- promote peace talks instead with Daesh. Pakistani Diplomats from Washington will continue so. After all, Pakistan was were, after all, based in the a relatively "low-cost" way tive acts." of insisting on military Embassy of Pakistan Kabul had visited the Pul- to pursue options with part- once an important US ally region from 2001 to 2014. to maintain the US' strate- Washington's attempts to solutions. This is more con- e-Charkhi jail two weeks back and had detailed ners and allies in the region, in South Asia. It supported According to US media gic and military deterrence. establish a base in sistent with the reality and interviews with those women. Later, their cre- the spokesperson said. the decision of the adminis- reports, the Pentagon is If the US cannot find an Afghanistan's periphery needs of Afghanistan. dentials had been sent to the Ministry of Interior by Pakistan Embassy Kabul for neces- sary verification through NARDA and relevant Departments. This G7 Summit will be a time for sensible Further details revealed that out of these twenty- four ladies, six of them are from Punjab, one from Sindh, one from Balochistan and the rest of them proposals on Covid-19, and nonsensical, are mostly from Orakzai agency. Most of these women have completed their sentences, whereas few are waiting for their trails. The reports suggest virtue signalling schemes for climate change that most of these ladies are in jail because of the activities of their husbands who seem to be mostly HE political ‘great future. Pressure is being Paul A. Nuttall signalling and it would make empty pledges to and good’ will con- applied on the leaders to surely make more sense to waiting media, and then from Afghanistan and were supposedly affiliated Tvene in sunny support a waiver on intel- involved – with nations that back with interest. I wonder tackle China on this issue hop on their private aero- with ISIS. As reported, one lady accepted being a Cornwall this weekend lectual property rights on have the finance and the if there are any plans to first. I am sure many of the planes back to their respec- supporter of the Balochistan Liberation Army for the annual G7 summit vaccines and treatments for scientific capability to recoup the money spent on leaders know this already, tive capital cities. But once (BLA), a designated terrorist organization by the to address their two 'big Covid, so they can be develop their own vaccines. this green Marshall Plan; I but domestic political pres- the leaders have jetted off government of Pakistan. Two women accepted issues’: the pandemic and shared around the world. It is for the good of human- expect not. sure will ensure that they into the sunset, the people being Daesh supporters out of which one was sen- the green agenda. The Indeed, fifteen of the ity and the clue, after all, is Secondly, do these mid- agree to Johnson’s plan. of Cornwall will be left to tenced to seventeen years and the other one is still former is vital, the latter UK’s Nobel Laureates have in the name: it is a ‘Global dle and developing coun- Indeed, if you look at the pick the pieces. under trial. is riddled with flaws. called on Boris Johnson not Pandemic’. tries actually want or need leaders attending the sum- Cornwall, which is one The British Prime to block such a proposal. The other issue at the top investment in green initia- mit, many of them are of the UK’s most popular The revelation of the arrest of 24 Pakistani Minister, Boris Johnson, Moreover, former British of the agenda we are told is tives? We all want to see a under political pressure, holiday destinations, has women by Afghan Intelligence came at a crucial will host the summit, and Prime Minister Gordon climate change. The British greener world, and it may which is being applied by barely any infrastructure. time, when the both counties are witnessing tense be joined by the prime min- Brown has described the are leading the way on this make wealthy leaders glow Greens in their own coun- The trainlines are antiquat- diplomatic relations. The Afghan authorities inten- isters of Japan, Australia, situation as “a life and one and Johnson is calling with a sense of self-satis- tries. Angela Merkel, the ed and it does not have a tionally did not disclose these cases in the hope of Canada and Italy. Also in death matter”, and has for a new ‘Marshall Plan’ to faction to be doling out German chancellor, for single motorway, which no a better opportunity to punch their neighboring attendance will be the G- urged the leaders to agree fund green energy projects cash, but many green initia- example, is in coalition doubt contributed to Boris Pakistan and this was the ripe time to malign erman chancellor, the Fre- to “burden-share the in middle and developing tives result in making poor with the Social Democrat Johnson's decision to fly all Pakistan at international level. However, the nch president, and most im- financing of the whole countries, particularly in people poorer and rich peo- Party (SPD), which is of 280 miles from London portantly, the new Ame- medical effort”. Asia and Africa. This issue, ple richer. I would suggest under threat from the to Cornwall – a real com- Pakistan government must not rush to conclude the rican President Joe Biden. For once, Brown is quite however, is not as straight- that the poor of Asia and German Greens. Moreover, mitment to cutting carbon results of the cases portrayed by the Afghan The nations of the G7, correct. With the borders of forward as it might initially Africa would prefer regular Emmanuel Macron, the emissions. It is also one of authorities, rather a comprehensive probe must be which was formed in 1975, Europe and the US being seem and there are a num- food, clean water, and French president, will need England’s poorest counties carried out to find out the details of these reported are deemed by the routinely breached with ber of glaring problems infrastructure than a truck- to secure the increasingly and is heavily reliant on Pakistani women and most importantly their International Monetary ease at the moment, the with this scheme. load of wind turbines. significant Green vote next tourist trade. spouses. It would be important to highlight that Fund (IMF) to have the pandemic will surely skip Firstly, how big is this There is also little point year if he is to ward off As a result of this G7 hundreds of thousands of Afghans had procured most advanced economies from state to state. To the green Marshall Plan going in the G7 countries funding Marine Le Pen’s presiden- summit, many holidays Pakistani National ID Cards and Passports through in the world and account Americans’ credit, they to be and who is going to a green Marshall Plan if tial bid. And Joe Biden is would have been cancelled, for 58% of global wealth. have already waived their pay for it? One would other leading economies clearly a prisoner of the thus harming the local illegal means. Therefore, it is suggested that The two principal items at rights to intellectual proper- expect the hardworking are not fully signed up to fanatical left wing of his economy. And for those besides carrying out their background checks from the top of the agenda for the ty on this issue and Japan taxpayers of the G7 coun- cutting emissions. If China, own Democrat party, which who are determined to take their native towns, the DNA tests of those ladies G7 are dealing with the has indicated that it is will- tries to be billed for the for example, which is also has a radical Green their vacations, ridiculously and their children must be conducted to ascertain international Covid crisis ing to follow suit. scheme, which is going to responsible for 27% of agenda. This alone will long car journeys and traf- their true origin. BLA enjoys full freedom and sup- and tackling climate Only the British and the be immensely unpopular global greenhouse gas ensure that he too would fic jams await. Indeed, it port of NDS and RAW at Afghan soil. change. Germans are holding out with the domestic elec- emissions, cannot be not dare oppose Johnson’s was very selfish of the As far as the IS-K is concerned it may have The global Covid crisis against the proposal. If torate, particularly in the brought to the table, then new green Marshall Plan. organisers of the G7 to some presence in Pakistan particularly in Ex. will be top of the agenda common sense prevails, the US and the UK. Also, a putting a few wind turbines It is worth noting, how- choose such an unsuitable FATA and Southern Punjab. In fact, IS-K is an because it is both here and leaders will all agree to the proportion of Marshall Aid, in Chad or Burkina Faso ever, that none of the deci- location for the summit. now, and unlike climate waiver and share their tech- which was provided by the would be irrelevant. It sions taken at the G7 are And with that, I am sure emerging threat to the whole region including change, it is not based on nology – albeit with the Americans after the Second would represent little more binding. Leaders can, and there is a metaphor in there Pakistan and Afghanistan and both nations must predictions about the agreement of companies World War, had to be paid than self-indulgent virtue often do, ‘pay lip service’, somewhere. cooperate with each other against this common enemy. Simple denial statements of Pakistani authorities would not serve the national interests. Presently, IS-K is targeting Pakistani youth partic- China moves forward in soft ularly disadvantaged communities of our society through its jihadist ideology. The jihadists elements and already radicalized a power struggle for SE Asia specific section of our society have great attraction HE June 7-8 meet- China’s economic prowess Mark J Valencia naval exercises with China whistling by the US grave- in the IS-K manifesto and ongoing unemployment, ings between Chin- and largesse and hopes that off Jakarta. This is remark- yard of civil discourse, injustice and other social illness are the factors Tese Foreign Min- its political, social and eco- Sherman to visit the Myanmar. able because allowing US accepted norms and unity which strengthen the IS-K propaganda. Therefore, ister Wang Yi and his nomic systems and – more Association of Southeast Meanwhile China has naval vessels to pass by its that was American democ- Pakistan needs to formulate a comprehensive strat- ASEAN counterparts – importantly – its values Asian Nations’ de facto been making diplomatic capital city has been a racy. egy against the threat posed by the IS-K at this both as a group and bilat- will be sufficient to keep leader Indonesia, erstwhile advances. President Xi sticking point in negotia- Such fantasies cannot early stage otherwise it will pose a bigger chal- erally – in Chongqing was much of Asia in its camp. US ally Thailand and Jinping has communicated tions over delineating a sea hide the ugly, violence- just the latest advance by But this is increasingly China-leaning Cambodia. with some of his Southeast lane in the Java Sea. prone, cultural civil war lenge to the country in the coming days. China in its burgeoning proving to be a false hope. But the trip was unremark- Asian counterparts, and This does not mean that that has made American contest with the US for So the US is falling back able other than its skipping Foreign Minister Wang Yi Indonesia is about to move democracy dysfunctional. the hearts and minds of on its tried and true advan- and probably miffing key has traveled through the away from its non-aligned To be sure, China’s Southeast Asia. tage – dominant military states like the Philippines region and met personally status, and there are still domestic values offer an US-China Despite some recent power and the threat of its and Vietnam. with his counterparts. The many things that could go unattractive alternative. self-inflicted setbacks, use. But even in this sphere US Secretary of State foreign ministers of wrong with the relationship But frankly, most ASEAN overall China seems to be China is making rapid Tony Blinken’s scheduled Singapore, Malaysia, – such as more incursions countries do not care how Great Game gaining ground. Indeed, at advances, and the prospect follow-up virtual confer- Indonesia and the or incidents in its EEZ or China treats its own citi- the meetings, the ministers of its eventual military ence with his ASEAN Philippines also visited China’s treatment of its zens – and some are just as S Secretary of Defense Austin issued directives reiterated their intention superiority in the region is counterparts was an embar- China for bilateral talks in Muslim minority in authoritarian and draconian based on recommendations of the Department “to avoid activities that looming. rassing – even maddening late March. Xinjiang. But it does mean and resent US criticism of Uof Defense (DoD) China Task Force and could escalate tension in This increased milita- – non-event because of China has made inroads the China-Indonesia rela- their governing style. approved several major initiatives to better address the contested South China rization of the issues puts technical difficulties. with its “win-win” Belt and tionship is rapidly improv- Playing to this reality, the security challenges posed by China. As said, the Sea” and Wang called for off Southeast Asian coun- President Biden did call Road Initiative, despite US ing. To a great extent, the Wang has said, ”We sup- initiatives had been developed in consultation and an upgrading of ASEAN- tries that will suffer if the Philippine President warnings of debt traps, US-China soft-power con- port ASEAN in upholding coordination with US partners and will complement China relations to a “com- two engage in conflict. Rodrigo Duterte, but that environmental damage and test is between US values the principle of non-inter- the multi-faceted work on China policy of depart- prehensive strategic part- Moreover, militarism is not was mainly to try to save coercion. Its Covid diplo- and its provision of securi- ference in internal affairs.” ments, agencies, and the White House. While shedding nership.” The US has much the hallmark of a great and the self-serving defense macy – donating vaccines ty versus China’s economic Remarkably, the US has light on future United States, China strategy, diplomatic ground to make successful nation whose alliance. More important, and even partnering with clout – and China seems to failed to take full advan- Secretary of Defense, Austin said that today’s efforts up and it is likely to step up values and achievements the US has made clear by Indonesia to produce more be winning. tage of China’s diplomatic will improve the Department’s ability to revitalize US its efforts in the coming should speak for them- its actions that its immedi- – has also been far superior The US has made “own goals” – its incur- network of allies and partners, bolster deterrence, and mo-nths. But will it be selves. ate priorities lie elsewhere to that of the US, which – human rights and demo- sions into Indonesia’s EEZ, accelerate the development of new operational con- enough to make a differ- Many in Southeast Asia – the Middle East, by by necessity – has been cratic values its stock-in- its massing of fishing boats cepts, emerging capabilities, future force posture, and ence? had hoped that under necessity to quell a crisis; focused on getting its own trade and a dominant part in the Philippines’ EEZ, a modernized civilian and military workforce. The The US has dominated President Joe Biden, the Russia, because of its house in order. It has only of its foreign policy in and its maritime provoca- directive illustrates that due to the importance and Southeast Asia since the US would step up its diplo- increasingly aggressive just now started to catch up Asia. Indeed, that is what tions of Malaysia and sensitivity of the issue, Austin himself will directly end of World War II with macy and moderate its mil- actions; and Europe, by in Covid diplomacy, and distinguishes the US from Vietnam in their claimed oversee the Department of Defense’s China-related both hard and soft power – itary goals and behavior choice. Southeast Asia will be only many other countries – waters. policies, operations, and intelligence work. the capability to use eco- vis-à-vis China, especially Even in Asia, its main a small part of its global especially China. To regain and retain its As reported, President Biden established the China nomic or cultural influence where they confront each interest seems to be effort. This may be good for moral leadership, the US Task Force in February this year. The Task Force has a to shape the preferences of other in the South and East shoring up its alliances China’s relationship humanity, but in a realpoli- needs to demonstrate that two-fold mission: to conduct a baseline assessment of others. While its hard China Seas. That hope had with Japan and South with Indonesia is perhaps tik world it puts the US at a its values and system of China-related programs, policies, and processes at the power is still dominant and some basis, because Korea as a bulwark against the most important for it in disadvantage with government are the best of Department of Defense; and to provide the Secretary with even growing, its soft Biden’s Indo-Pacific coor- China. Worse, it appears to the region. Recent tension Southeast Asian govern- all for all and that it can a set of top priorities and recommended courses of action power has declined both dinator Kurt Campbell and ASEAN countries that between them over intru- ments that are struggling to and will maintain a com- for the Department. The task force remained successful absolutely and relative to his national security advis- Washington prefers to bol- sions by Chinese fishing maintain their hold on petitive edge with China in preparing its first ever recipe on which Austin had that of China. er Jake Sullivan have pub- ster the Quad (India, and Coast Guard vessels power, which will always economically and techno- started his anti-China voyage. In this contest, China licly advocated “competi- Australia, Japan and the into the Indonesian exclu- be their top priority. logically, not just militari- In fact, the United States sees China as a genuine has the geographic advan- tive co-existence” with US) as its regional lever on sive economic zone (EEZ) Indeed, in a realpolitik ly. threat to its international position as world leader, tage. It is Southeast Asia’s China. Moreover, China security policy. This is an has given way to warming world, “nice” nations often The US has much diplo- despite the fact that China did not confront America in permanent giant next-door seemed to be open to a affront to ASEAN’s aspira- ties. Indonesian President finish second. Moreover, matic ground to make up, any regional conflict such as Syria, Afghanistan and neighbor. It also has a large reset in relations. But US- tions of “centrality” in Joko Widodo has referred US values are losing their and I expect it to try to do Libya whereas Russia did and presented several set- diaspora of ethnic Chinese China policy has so far not regional security affairs, to China as a “good friend appeal. There are clearly so over the next few backs to the US. However, the unlimited Chinese polit- that comprises significant only continued that of for- because the Quad, if effec- and brother.” weaknesses in the US sys- months. The ASEAN ical, economic, and technological influence worries the minorities in many South- mer president Donald tive, will become central to On June 5, China and tem of governance. Under Regional Forum in August American policy makers and compelled them to react to east Asian countries, and Trump but even trumped security management, par- Indonesia initiated an counterattack by China’s and the East Asian Summit this silent invasion which seems to flush awayAmerican many of Southeast Asia’s its hypocrisy, condescen- ticularly vis-à-vis China. “inaugural high-level dia- foreign-policy czar, Yang in November provide good supremacy into the Atlantic Ocean in coming days. political, economic and sion, confrontation and While the US gives lip logue.” Usually very sensi- Jiechi, in their Anchorage opportunities. But it may Therefore, as US Secretary of Defense, Austin’s worries military leaders have some militarism. Indeed, US service to ASEAN’s aspira- tive about its maritime meeting, Blinken acknowl- be too little , too late and are genuine, and due to this fear America had already Chinese blood. But this can diplomacy has lagged far tions, it seems frustrated security, Indonesia accept- edged faults in the US sys- too self-serving to matter. utilized most of its cards against China whereas China be a political liability when behind its military signal- with its members’ turn ed China’s offer to try to tem of governance but At this point it will take a has yet not opened its anti-US doctrine so far. However, tensions flare between this ing. away from democratic val- salvage its lost submarine claimed that after every Hail Mary – perhaps a tour as the US is tightening its grip against China, the time is minority and the majority At the end of May, the ues and ineffectiveness in in the strategic Lombok crisis “we’ve come out of the region by Biden him- not far when Chinese will hit back at the United States indigenous peoples. US finally sent Deputy managing regional affairs, Strait. stronger, better, more unit- self – to get Washington in the same way. The US cannot match Secretary of State Wendy such as the crisis in It has also undertaken ed, as a country.” This was back in the game.