The Peace Process Threatened in Afghanistan

 Richard S. Dunn - August 28, 2021

On Thursday August 26, 2021 there were two explosions at the airport in Kabul that killed at last count 110 people including, 13 US service men and 28 Taliban soldiers. Since then, an ultra-religious, ultra-nationalist and reactionary group known as ISIS-K has assumed responsibility for the unprovoked attack especially against non-military target. It’s a basic rule of revolutionary struggle that, revolutionaries do not attack civilian targets because; as one revolutionary leader said, “revolutionaries must show moral superiority over the enemy.” This attack at the Kabul airport clearly shows what ultra-nationalism lacks.

Apart from the atrociousness of the attack it also puts the emerging peace and reconstruction process in jeopardy; it challenges the veracity of the Taliban and their efficiency to govern and most importantly; reopens the way for resumed and continued occupation of Afghanistan by the imperialist powers headed by the United States. Obviously the attack was well orchestrated to raise the level of chaos in the Country, thereby arming the detractors and stake holders with the argument that the US’ withdrawal was wrong. This is one of the critical mistakes of ultra-nationalists and anarchists, short term gains but long-term disaster.

Religion or not, the working class and working people of Afghanistan, need to live in peace and build their country along a path that provides and sustain their basic needs, for present and future generations, free from outside interference. The rebuilding should be on a path determined by the Afghan people; people who looks like them, share a common language and understanding of their religion and culture. In short self-determination must be the motive force of the rebuilding process. The Afghan people innocently, have paid an enormous price for the destruction of their country by the imperialist powers. According to the Watson Institute 47,000 civilians were killed and 75,000 injured during the occupation. The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has suggested that these numbers are “significantly underestimated.” Reports are that approximately 70,000 Afghan soldiers and police killed; 50,000 Taliban and other fighters killed; 2,400 US servicemembers and 40,000 US contractors killed. This is a moral abomination, and the Afghan people deserve to live in peace and not a moment too soon.

The warmongers are happy now that the United States has begun hostilities again in Afghanistan with drone strikes, under the pretext of retaliation for the servicemen killed. The military-industrial complex is relieved that once again their profits will increase, paid for by the blood of the Afghan people. Poppy is in Afghanistan; Lithium and precious stones and rare metals used heavily in the electronics, electric vehicles and aircraft industries are in Afghanistan. It is estimated that $1 Trillion in mineral wealth exists in the soils of Afghanistan, enviously eyed by the imperialists including China. A Taliban takeover of the country seriously reduces the exploitation of the country’s natural resources and at the same time, challenges the integrity and commitment of the Taliban against corruption and greed.

The Taliban cannot isolate themselves from the Afghan masses and engage in atrocities against its citizens; this is not conducive to nation building and contributes to perpetual chaos. This situation makes it easier for invaders and imperialist exploiters to enter and rape the country of its natural resources thereby, keeping it forever dependent on outside forces for survival. The apologists of the US incursion in Afghanistan in Congress and the media speak with a ‘forked’ tongue about atrocities carried out by the Taliban. Yes they have done so but, so has US troops which in both cases are unacceptable and considered war crimes. Truth be told, the Taliban is no more corrupt than the tyrants of Uganda, Chad, Rwanda and the Congo; none of these dictators and corrupt leaders are sanctioned and the US and other imperialist powers still do business with them.

The working class cannot prosper and develop in a climate of war and unrest; working class democracy must be given a chance to develop and thrive in Afghanistan; the Afghan people alone must be able to chart their own course based on their objective conditions, culture and socio-economic needs.

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