Afghanistan: Taliban forms (Interim) Government: A Week after Completion of US/NATO Withdrawal

[Sukla Sen]

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the head of the notorious Haqqani network and son of the famous anti-Soviet warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani, will get the portfolio of interior minister, while Mullah Ameer Khan Muttaqi will be the new foreign minister, according to the Taliban sources. Sirajuddin Haqqani is a specially designated global terrorist.

According to the FBI website, the US Department of State is offering a reward of up to USD 5 million for information leading directly to the arrest of Haqqani, who is thought to stay in Pakistan, specifically the Miram Shah area in North Waziristan, and maintains close ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda.

(Excerpted from: <https://indianexpress.com/article/world/taliban-announces-new-afghanistan-govt-heres-a-full-list-of-acting-cabinet-ministers-7495053/>.)

That's, understandably, highly significant.

It's a clear pointer to the conclusion of a successful deal between the Taliban and the Haqqani network - almost certainly, mediated by Pakistan, a further cause of heartbreak/worry for the Indian security establishment.

(It deserves to be noted that the ISI Chief had himself personally been in Kabul.

Ref.: <https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/with-taliban-close-to-forming-govt-pak-intelligence-chief-reaches-kabul-101630743105230.html>, <https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-isi-chief-meets-taliban-top-leader-mullah-baradar-report-101630932646364.html> and <https://m.timesofindia.com/world/south-asia/no-non-taliban-minister-baradar-demoted-key-takeaways-from-new-afghanistan-government/amp_articleshow/86014446.cms>.)

The "interior ministry" (in India, it's called "home ministry") is considered a very powerful office.

It's also significant that, apparently, none associated with the previous Ghani or, even, Karzai administration - let alone Karzai himself, has been inducted.

The limited move at rapprochement - or "inclusiveness", has not borne any fruit, as it appears.

The above fact on top of the appointment of a very high-value declared "terrorist" to a top and crucial post would, in all likelihood, further complicate things as far as the West is concerned.

As far as women are concerned, the scene promises to be somewhat less dire as compared to the previous stint of Taliban rule, at least to begin with.

Women making bold to come out on the streets to demand equality - also reinforces that hope/perception.

But, as the age-old saying goes: The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Here's an interesting comment on the unfolding scene in Afghanistan, from the PoV of the Indian security establishment: <https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/afghanistan-crisis-taliban-takeover-pakistan-role-7493046/>.

Quite useful, as long as that fact is kept in mind.

Also look up: <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/afghan-developments-cia-chief-russian-security-head-in-delhi/article36350053.ece>.

And, finally, one has to, all the while, keep in mind Saad Mohseni's highly perceptive observation: Afghanistan is facing three crises: a political crisis, a humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people and around two million people rushing to get out of the country. Out of these, fifty to hundred thousand will make it out through Kabul airport. Then we have an economic crisis, which is going to have a devastating impact on the nation. All the development assistance meant for 35 million people, all those projects, are on hold now. The world needs to pay attention to these issues.

(Ref.: <https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/saad-mohseni-owner-of-tolo-news-on-media-in-afghanistan-women-reporters-on-the-field-and-more/article36073354.ece>.)

Sukla