Re: “,” June 1 editorial.
A clear and systematic consideration of our national interests and strategic goals in Afghanistan and the Asian region would support a continued robust presence in Afghanistan. Pakistan seeks control of Afghanistan to ensure strategic depth in any future conflict with India.
We have to understand geography to understand our strategic goals and options. Afghanistan allied with India and the U.S. could neutralize Pakistan and prevent it from assisting China. From Afghanistan, the U.S. could assist insurgents in China’s potential breakaway regions. All of these efforts could stretch China’s armed forces, making China potentially less aggressive as it is stretched between needing to concentrate forces in its far Western parts and detracting from the forces in the South China Sea.
Afghanistan may exhibit growth or may become a failed state. Only time will tell.
Our national interests should aim to deter China from expansive plans to capture the South China Sea, from dominating nations in the South China Sea, and to prevent conditions that could lead to war.
Richard Allen is an independent consultant in Colorado Springs.
