Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US diplomat, says Washington’s main interest in Afghanistan is to prevent the country from once again becoming a center or base for anti-US terrorist groups.
In a video released on Saturday, September 12, Khalilzad said ” we do not want Afghanistan to disintegrate into anarchy that would provide circumstances in which, like the last time, terrorists could grow, threats could grow against the United States. We have decided our principal interest is for Afghanistan not to become a hub or a center again for anti-U.S. terrorist group.”
He added that Afghanistan’s economic progress and the development of its natural resources, with the participation of other countries and companies, could serve US national interests.
According to Khalilzad, if the United States does not engage in Afghanistan and work to advance its interests, a vacuum will emerge that Washington’s rivals will fill.
Referring to China and Russia’s presence in Afghanistan, he said China is seeking to gain control over the country’s natural resources, while Russia is also “very active” in Afghanistan.
Khalilzad stressed that US policy toward Afghanistan should take into account the country’s current and future conditions and determine what kind of country Washington wants Afghanistan to become in the future.
Khalilzad currently holds no official position in the US government. US State Department spokespersons have previously said that his statements do not represent Washington’s official position.
