IMHO, It’s not the implementation of an Islamic system that is the main issue, although that is a major issue, and a decisive reason for the failure of the Kabul regime from winning over many people all over Afghanistan.
especially how this conflict was initially framed; In religious language, which wasn’t helpful.
From 0:15-0:25
there are layers of issues.
one issue is income and influence: In Afghanistan you have two large groups, irrespective of their tribal or ethnic affiliations; farmers and skilled workers. The rural areas have mostly farmers (skilled workers go to cities or abroad to earn) that want to get the most money for their crops and in the cities there are mostly Skilled and unskilled workers that want the most pay for their labor. the farmers are even to this day being underpaid for their crop for the benefit of the cities; 7 kg of high quality apples get the equivalent of a $1.30 are are sold abroad. While 7kg of imported apples are sold in Kabul a few months later at the equivalent of $3.
Farmer elites wouldn’t want their power and income usurped by city elites. There has been a 300 year civil war over this from what little I know of the conflict. This is the struggle everywhere in the world, but without a system that respects the landed class, they won’t give up some power for development. The Taliban work through these farmer elites; tribal chiefs.
the next issue is tribal: which would require a whole thesis to breakdown, plus my knowledge is limited on the subject.
next issue is sectarian: the anti-Shia is mixed in with the anti-hazara sentiments. This can only be solved with a live and let live policy. For good relations with the Hazara areas, Herat, and the country of Iran a live and let live policy is a must. Some hazara representation in the government will also be a must.
the is the issue of language: Pashto vs. Dari (Afghan Persian)
this goes to the final issue of ethnic power sharing. Turkmen, Uzbeks, and even Hazaras could be convinced to unify with the Pashtuns. But the largest hold out group will be the non-Turkic Tajiks. Which is why China’s pressure on them this time is crucial (as opposed to China’s limited influence in the 90’s) to get them to the bargaining table (China shares a border with Tajikistan and sort of the Tajik part of Afghanistan) so it is in their national interest for a peaceful border, and to eliminate any potential place that can be used to send in destabilizing influences into Xinjiang or Tibet. Also this is the reason for the renewed push, IMHO, for Pakistan to meet with Tajik and Russian leaders (The Russians are the military force behind Tajikistan). This is also why Turkish influence with the Uzbeks and Turkmen is crucial.
m.timesofindia.com
in the Chinese market for example; Xinjiang already produces a lot of the produce for China so exports from Central Asia would be an extension of that effort; a couple days more by rail to markets in eastern China. Chinese food demand is increasing so high quality organic farming can become a healthy sector of Central Asia’s economy. If high end organic tomato’s from Israel can be shipped all the way to America, why can’t high end organic produce from Central Asia be sold in Eastern China. (Perhaps some bio engineering will be needed to pick organic varieties that can stand the journey and not rot in transit)
