News:

The U.S. Department of State has recently strongly and publicly rejected the Afghan government’s request for American investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector and underground resources. The spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, in response to a question from Voice of America, stated that this country has no plans for economic engagement and cooperation with the Taliban, whom America continues to call a “terrorist organization.” He added that any American investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector would only lead to the financial strengthening of the Taliban and make their “horrific behavior” toward the people easier, particularly widespread human rights violations and the imposition of restrictions.

Comment:

This clear and unambiguous response from America comes at a time when, in recent months, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Afghan government, had officially requested in conversations with international media that America invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector and infrastructure. Likewise, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Taliban, had repeatedly emphasized this government’s desire to have good diplomatic and economic relations with America.

In addition, during the past five years, the Taliban have released several American citizens and prisoners as a sign of “goodwill” in order to gain America’s satisfaction and establish official relations with it. However, by ignoring these efforts, America has responded harshly to the Afghan government’s requests and its continued flexibility.

The main reason for America’s rejection of these requests and its harsh approach is that Afghanistan is no longer at the top of America’s foreign policy priorities, and America’s focus has shifted to other regions. From America’s perspective, two issues are fundamentally important regarding Afghanistan: first, containing and changing the Taliban’s political thinking and using them as a tool for what it calls the “fight against terrorism”; and second, the release of American prisoners and citizens.

America believes that the Taliban have not yet fully entered the path that America had set for them and have not aligned themselves with the international order desired by America. By calling the Taliban terrorists and asking them to fight terrorism, they are in reality seeking to confront the Islamic inclinations of the Taliban and the danger they perceive from it. Therefore, America continues to pursue a policy of pressure; a policy that includes freezing foreign exchange reserves, economic sanctions, violations of airspace, and threats to return to the former Bagram base.

Likewise, America’s efforts to gradually bring the Taliban closer to the international community and align them with the order desired by the West, which was pursued through United Nations missions in Afghanistan, have faced difficulties and reached a deadlock.

The Taliban government’s request and insistence for America’s engagement and investment in important sectors of Afghanistan is considered a strategic and ideological mistake. Establishing political, economic, or intelligence relations with an “actual state at war” which has been involved in bloody events across the Muslim world and continues to support the Jewish entity is wrong and unacceptable.

Likewise, handing over Afghanistan’s mines and natural resources, which are considered the “public property” of the Muslim Ummah, to Western companies and governments that do not conceal their hostility means strengthening the side that acts against the Muslim Ummah.

Hizb ut Tahrir had previously warned against America’s policies, which it describes as hostility, arrogance, and colonial policies, and we also emphasize that insisting on engagement with a side that does not take you seriously, calls you an enemy, and humiliates you, will result in nothing but loss.

The Afghan government should not show further flexibility toward Western powers. Instead, rather than placing hope in Western countries, it should turn toward the Muslim Ummah and those who seek dignity and the complete sovereignty of Islamic Sharia.