The war in Afghanistan is over, but the West still needs Pakistan
It is too important—and dangerous—to ignore
WHEN THE last American troops departed from Kabul on August 30th, it meant not only the end of a 20-year campaign in Afghanistan but also the end of Western reliance on neighbouring Pakistan. In that time the country had been an infuriating partner that had helped NATO forces with logistics and intelligence even as it provided a haven to the Taliban’s leaders. Now, perhaps America could wash its hands and walk away.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “An all-weather frenemy”
From the October 9th 2021 edition
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