AFGHANISTAN’S PLACE IN CHINA’S INITIATIVE

Those interests will likely include trying to involve Afghanistan in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure project that seeks to connect Asia, Africa and Europe to improve trade and stimulate economic growth, Chomsky says. “Maybe with some development aid, it’s possible. Whatever works out in Afghanistan, should be working with it, trying to help them from outside, not from on top, jointly with China, maybe with Russia.”

Against the status quo

He concedes collaboration between the US and China does not have support in the US and it is against status quo. However, Chomsky is adamant that cooperation is essential, especially on issues such as the environment and pandemics for the sake of the survival of the human species.

“China does plenty of horrible things but that is not a reason to not cooperate, anymore than the US does horrible things is a reason for China to not cooperate. We have to, and Afghanistan is a perfect place. We have the same interests, making sure that some development takes place. That these people who probably can’t leave (Afghanistan) have something there that they can use to build and develop, have some kind of life. We can help with that to some extent.” Despite the established common interests Chomsky does not expect an alliance between the superpowers to happen on their own.