Al Jazeera Discovers Realpolitik, 20 Years Late
Al Jazeera chronicles India's renewed engagement with the Taliban, including hosting their foreign minister, as a 'geopolitical realignment.' The article notes India's historical aversion to the group, neglecting to mention that 'historical aversion' often evaporates when a nation's energy security or regional influence is at stake. Governments that once decried the Taliban as barbarians now find
reasons to engage, much like the US in the 1980s, when the 'mujahideen' were 'freedom fighters' against the Soviets (Washington Post, July 19, 1987). Principles, it seems, are flexible, especially when pipelines and power vacuums are involved. So, India's alleged 'embrace' isn't a moral pivot; it's simply business as usual. The international community consistently demonizes regimes when it's
convenient, then rationalizes dialogue when the geopolitical winds change. One might wonder who actually believes these sudden shifts are anything but thinly veiled strategic calculus. Perhaps the 'analysts' Al Jazeera cites could also explain precisely how long 'regional geopolitical realignment' usually lasts before the next round of convenient outrage.