Edit: Merged thread, so that's why you'll see this weird explanation lol
Here's an interesting conversation, it follows up on the article written by the General quite recently.
People who like to read history, especially Afghanistan and Pashtoons would find some interesting facts in the interview. Furthermore, the General talks about Taliban takeover, its effect on Pakistan, our own fight against extremism, CPEC, Americans and also Americans abandoning Indians in Afghanistan.
General Tariq Khan's interview is one of the best coming out of Pakistan on geopolitical matters and that too in English language--a rare combination--a shameful rarity though, actually, given the availability of English language in Pakistan. India is far ahead in that area and part of that is English is really needed in India to communicate between different ethnic groups.
But still the Pakistani discourse mostly confined to Urdu language is essentially an echo-chamber! What good will it serve to Pakistan if Pakistan's narrative is NOT going to be presented to the world??? So I welcome the interview not only for its great content but also for the medium being used!
Speaking of the interview, here are some quick take aways:
1) The action by the Pakistani Army against the terrorist elements in Pakistan's tribal areas was Pakistan's 'own war on terror' and was really needed because those elements were targeting not only inside Pakistan but also in foreign countries. So much so for Imran Khan's opportunism about 'our own people' and 'fighting others war' blah blah!! General Tariq put his life on the line for Pakistan in that most difficult operation and I trust his opinion more than those of politicians.
2) The Durand Line was negotiated NOT under any duress by Afghanistan and was a settled issue. However, if the Afghans insist on uniting the Pashtuns then be aware that the Durand Line could be pushed WESTWARDS because more than twice the Pashtuns live on the Pakistani side of the Line!!
3) Pakistan SHOULD work with Americans to invite them to be part of the projects linking the region. Pakistan should not put all its eggs in one basket--the Chinese basket--and convince Americans that Pakistan is ready to be a partner in trade and connectivity. The General thinks American companies like Helliburton could give the Chinese tough time in investment. He even said let the Americans build a port of their own in Pakistan! He said the potential for trade through Pakistan is more than ALL of the Indian ports combined!
4) He is saying that IF the Americans want to fly over the Pakistani airspace to bomb inside Afghanistan then Pakistan wouldn't be able to do anything about that! The anchor pointed to Iran defying America on that but the General doesn't want to give some embarrassing answer. It is a different matter, however, that flying from the Arabian Sea to bomb is really not an option for Americans. In that regard, the General is saying that Russia wouldn't allow the Central Asian countries to host American troops. And of course Pakistan wouldn't--and shouldn't either!
5) As others also said in this thread, Afghanistan has been conquered several times before and it's just that it was not worth keeping the damned place. Yes, it is a 'Graveyard of Empire's but the operative word here is 'Graveyard'.
6) It was not some 'Iman' (Faith) which enabled the Mujahideen to beat the Soviets. According to the General, it was the CIA supplied Stinger Missiles which made perhaps the most critical difference in the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Had they had the kind of Iman, then they would not have slaughtered each other and innocent civilians for power right after the Soviets left.
Anyway, the interview is perhaps a seminal work and leaves much food for thought. Sure, it is opinion of just one retired military person but he seems to have comprehensive knowledge of the history and the current dynamics of the region. Well worth watching again and again and pondering.
Thanks for the share!