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A Chance for a New Friendship?
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
By Sascha Matuszak

An American in China

For traditional rivals of the US, the tragedy in New York and the ensuing "War on Terrorism" have provided a chance to wipe the slate clean and establish a New World Order. Russia and the various -stans, especially Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have offered up their land to the Western coalition, in return for -- they hope -- financial assistance, increased political and military connections and in the case of Russia, the scrapping of the NMD.

China, too, may benefit from the latest war. As the a major power in Central Asia, China may assume responsibility for keeping the peace in the region after Afghanistan is ravaged yet again. Chinese intelligence in the area is valued by the US and the Chinese have shown no qualms about sharing -- Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and US Secretary of State Colin Powell met last Friday, and intelligence experts from the two countries will meet next week to discuss cooperating against terrorism.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization could provide a forum for control in the area -- next year the member countries, all supporters of the war in one way or another, will sign a charter in St. Petersburg. The members have expanded their ties from security to economic trade, specifically the transport, telecommunications, and fuel and energy industries. In order to realize any benefit from these economic ties, the SCO must establish stability in Central Asia. Why not use the war as a tool to forge a power vacuum, which may then be filled by the regional players?

Of course, a war in Afghanistan could just as easily create a massive refugee problem. And where, pray tell, will all of these Muslims go? The Pakistan border is closed and Uzbeks and Tajiks make up most of the Taliban's domestic nemesis, the United Front in the north -- this leaves Iran and China. In Xinjiang, they may find a Uigher and Kashgari population sympathetic to their plight and eager to join them in a new rebellion.

BUT WILL THEY LEAVE WHEN THEY'RE DONE?
(More: Antiwar.com News Source)

Dan