Solution in Afghanistan

From Swedenisation to Finlandisation

Abstract

The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan is the result of misadventures and misjudgments compounded by internal mishandling and international misperceptions. The revolution of April ’78 was not anticipated before it occurred; nor that a regime of militant socialist ideology would have to be superseded by a Soviet invasion itself. Far from being in accordance with some grand design, its course was determined by unforeseen twists and consequences. The bloodletting goes on interminably, inconclusively and possibly dangerously. The paradox is that there are strands of broad similarities amongst contending and interested powers that a solution would be to revert to the status quo ante. The problem is how to go forward to the beginning. How to assuage outraged nationalism and obtain the disengagement of a great power which through mishaps and mistaken impetuosity had gratuitously alienated a never unfriendly neighbour?