And not ridiculous things that are theoretically possible, like the Taliban does a 180 out of nowhere and converts to socialism and the imperialist states do a 180 out of nowhere and decide that a socialist middle east is cool.
I used to think that the best thing that could happen is a Marshall Plan for the Middle East, but now, I'm not so sure that would be good.
I'm willing to bet the US will finance and train terrorist cells to attack this.
I have no doubt too. there is already opposition in Pakistan to a lot of the Chinese infrastructure by Baluchistani fighters, idk how much is linked to the US. a lot of people in Afghanistan still remember the Soviet intervention and communism is seen as this evil atheist anti Islamic force, but China tends to be very politically savy and not put their foot in it when it comes to foreign nations and their dommestic affairs. the Taliban, and the larger Jihadist forces, are not all of one mind on things it's always useful to remember, some of them probably really fucking hate China. there are also a few Uyghur terrorist groups in Afghanistan that are allied to the Taliban that I have absolutely 0 doubt at all the CIA is gonna hit up, or already has
I fully agree with you that it may very well be unsuccessful, but I do think they'll try it. You're right that China is more politically savvy, and I also think the Taliban seems fairly competent in terms of military strategy.
the Taliban, and other Jihadists, just spent about 40 years or so at war. they really REALLY know how the fuck to fight an asymmetrical war, and I am sure China knows that too. time will tell how things go
the cool thing about those ETIM guys in afghanistan is theyre right along the chinese border :blob-on-fire:
the US did de-list the ETIM as a terrorist organization earlier this year :what-the-hell: