Is this the age of Geo- Economics or Geo-Politics Revisited ?
The question gains significance in view of almost certain return of Taliban to Not A God’s Own Country of Afghanistan. ln a sad and immensely painful situation, when not only USA and UK have given up and Russia and China may be cooking afresh, India too, having assumed the role of a Caretaker cum Restorer for almost two decades,is also SHIRKING its regional, if not social responsibility.
2) Afghanistan- a land locked, amazingly beautiful and cold country, is destined not to have semblance of peace, amity and stability, perhaps owing to its immense drugs wealth which may remind of what Karl Marx once said-Religion is opiate to masses.
By getting severely addicted, for decades, the neglected and self supressed populace has offered itself to foreign dictat every now and then.
First it was Russia through Pakistan route,the excesses of which later gave readymade alibi to the USA and allies through the Saudi Araban route.Now in the backdrop of her certain withdrawal and “Almost Abdication ” of its DUTY by India, stage is getting set for likely return of Putin’s troops ” riding Bears”.Their proposed truck with China,Pakistan and some others in near future, may give additional anxiety.
3) Dear Afghanistan you asked for it time and again, at the heavy cost of developments in economic ,educational and health fields.Think about boost in some sectors and good performance in culture and sports arena of Football & Cricket.They will be back to pavilion. VERY Sad & Unfortunate.
Drugs Perpetrated Menace Of Terrorism
4) On turning the pages of contemporary history, one may discover that the present form or shape of the menace took a solid birth with the emergence of Black September ferocious group in Palestine “Area” towards the end of sixties of the 20th Century.Not only the voice of emergence of Palestine began being heard distinctly but Israel,another entrant to the comity of nations ,in a way, also got ” Booster Dose” to rebuild and refurbish herself,of course with readily available US support.
No wonder,with the passage of time,not only she established herself as a world leader not only in arms & ammunition, production of latest kind of security apparatus but also in spying (Pegasus phenomenon) domain.
Good Performance Covid Wise
5) Side by side, Israel never ignored the vital interest of her people if very recent advent of Third Dose of Corona vaccine in their territory is any indication.This was after having claimed hundred percent vaccination coverage nearly two months ago.
6) The age old rivalry of once scattered two nationalities, is getting murkier and murkier with recent eleven day fierce fight or show off at the peak of Covid-19. It was at a time when the world at large and India in particular,was adding as high as four lakh fifteen thousand cases in just 24 hours and West Europe was also grappling afresh for the second or third time.
Terrorism Anywhere Is Lethal
7) I may clarify in all honesty and sincerity that it is not my intention to divert or evade from the main issue.Rather sole intention is to flag undoubtedly that Terrorism,per se, with all its tentacles,does not have a religion but a certain language to communicate at a virgin territory by means of soft targeting to begin with.
By nature,it is so brutal that it does not even take note of untold sufferings of Covid infected even within Palestine pockets/conclaves of Jerusalem or horribly cold vallies of Afghanistan, wherein the Covid statistics is either knowingly suppressed or may not be taken note of.
8) It is not only the followers of Islam through the dreaded Taliban( literal meaning- seekers of knowledge)being signalled out in the emerging scenario or the inter or intra religion tirades,
it is something which is likely to gain more momentum in Afghanistan or even parts of “dissatisfied” Pakistan.
But the plight of the neglected, poor,needy,starved and basic health care denied to people in a situation, such as, Boko Haram, in Africa continues to be completely ignored.
Who will initiate,who will bell the cat or who will hold the key to vaccinate millions of poor Afghans or Africans in such a situation ?
Role of WHO
9) So far ineffective head of WHO, given the game being played time and again from Wuhan,has warmed of more sufferings,apart from suppression of actual death figures by almost all nations, on atleast two occasions.
It has also stressed the necessity of completing the first dose first prior to proceeding for Boosters.
The so called “Human Groups” operating from centre of Europe too have given sufficient negative indications for the future.
Outlook of G-8
10) Further, during the recently held face to face G-8 conclave in the serene surroundings of U.K ,a special fund was “announced” to meet the expenses on vaccines in neglected territories of Asia and Africa.
It however, seems to have ignored certain reports of hoarding of Covid vaccines by Canada,USA or may be, a few West European nations.
11) Under such perplexing and Topsy Turvy circumstances, how does one attempt to make a distinction between Visible threats (bombings,murders,suicide & drone attacks etc.)vis a vis non-visible ones(bio terrorism in form of SARS -II Corona Virus) in a special situation such as ,Afghanistan ?
The recent decision of the virtual meeting of the CTWG of BRICS held on 28thJuly is bound to further amaze peace desiring individuals,when China the alleged originator of never ending Corona virus, becomes a confidante to Counter Terrorism Action Plan of BRICKS,soon to be adopted.
12) Are’nt we THUS tempted to utter the word DOUBLE STANDARD, if not DOUBLE SPEAK of Orwelian kind ?
This will be in respect of changing role and designs of both Russia and China in the region but both may be sadly compelled to avail of direct or indirect help of Pakistan in handling new Afghanistan.
The debate may remain inconclusive, perhaps.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
