President has himself admitted, was not a strategic priority for the United States. presence, given the chaos that resulted amid the withdrawal?įor its part, the United States has divested a liability-its costly military intervention-which, as the U.S. credibility and influence in Asia will be affected by the move? Are countries looking to alternative security partners such as China, or might countries seek to cling to a U.S. Also, we need to work with the authorities in Kabul to neutralize terrorists' groups present in Afghanistan, particularly the TTP, which has been responsible for thousands of terrorist attacks against Pakistan.ĭo you think U.S. However, Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis due to the Covid pandemic, conflict, and the failures of the previous governments. A peaceful Afghanistan will be beneficial for Pakistan, opening up possibilities for trade and development projects. There is, therefore, a hope that security can be established throughout Afghanistan. The Taliban appear to have gained control over the entire country, for the first time in 40 years. withdrawal, Afghanistan faces a difficult transition from the past 20 years of a US-NATO supported governance structure. Newsweek: What do you feel will be the immediate impact for both Pakistan and the region as a result of the U.S. troops sit on a wall as Afghans gather on a roadside near the military part of the airport in Kabul on August 20, 2021, hoping to flee from the country after the Taliban's military takeover of Afghanistan. is increasingly embracing Pakistan's top rival, India, he emphasizes that Pakistan remains a ready and willing companion in counterterrorism and other endeavors. When it comes to China, the Pakistani leader rejects President Joe Biden's hard line as "unnecessary." Khan sees not a rival but a partner, both for his nation and potentially for the U.S. Rather, it's a slew of other outlawed organizations whose aims are more immediately focused on wreaking havoc in the region. But his greatest worry doesn't stem from the Taliban, with which Islamabad has fostered close ties. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August could empower militant groups seeking to lash out abroad. Through this party, he capitalized on popular dissatisfaction over corruption, religious discrimination and economic stagnation over the course of the next two decades to rise to the forefront of national politics, securing positions in parliament and rising to prime minister in 2018.įor Americans, the leading concern in the region is that the U.S.
After his sporting career, he began philanthropic work raising funds for medical facilities and research, and established the populist Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) in 1996. Khan rose to fame as a cricket star who led Pakistan's national team to its first World Cup victory in 1992. This conversation, conducted via email, offers a rare glimpse into one of the world's most troubled regions through the eyes of the leader of one of its most important and influential countries. Khan discussed his goals and fears for his country and the region, and explained why he believes America must remain engaged in Afghanistan. In a candid and wide-ranging interview, Newsweek Senior Foreign Policy Writer Tom O'Connor conversed with Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, a nation that straddles Afghanistan and China both geographically and strategically.