Looming disaster

In a valedictory appearance before the Commons defence select committee, General Sir Nick Carter, the chief of the defence staff, foresaw a future for Afghanistan as a tourist destination. He disputed the received wisdom that the recent withdrawal of Nato forces marked a defeat for the West and believed the new Taliban government would be more moderate than its predecessor. But if the people of this benighted land are to have anything to look forward to then a potential disaster this winter needs somehow to be averted.

The departure of Western forces meant the financial help that was propping up Afghanistan has also been dismantled. The corruption that was endemic even while Nato troops were in the country has not diminished with the arrival of the Taliban, who have added incompetence to the toxic mix of appalling governance. A famine is now looming, compounded by a drought and economic collapse. A major humanitarian disaster is being predicted by UN agencies.

The G20 summit in Rome recently discussed the crisis and pledges of emergency help were made by leaders but nothing obvious has yet happened. The Taliban, who may well be to blame for this calamity, will none the less have to be part of the solution since they now run the country.

Neighbouring states, like China, India and especially Pakistan, which will bear the brunt of the exodus of refugees that a famine will cause, also need to be central to a co-ordinated response. This needs to get under way soon. Time is running out.