Iran has already made references of taking over the Shia parts of Iraq once the US leaves.
China will eventually annex North Korea and Taiwan once it gains enough power.
What do you think will happen between Pakistan and Afghanistan? Should these two nations become one or not?
I think it would be remarkable if these two nations could become one greater empire. Pakistan’s burgeoning population could move into relatively empty yet strategically placed Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat.
This union would also be gold for Pakistani companies. The amount of raw materials untapped in Afghanistan will be an added boost for Pakistani exports. Afghanis already flood Pakistan looking for menial jobs as it is. What doesnt make sense about such a union? The only problem would be getting rid of the extremist- time to put the damn army into a great war.
Think about it - what percentage of Pukhtoons already live and influence Pakistan? How many military generals were of Pukhtoon origin? How many leaders?
In the absence of civil stability Pakistan is already ruled by the military which is what percentage Pukhtoon? The nations already influence and work with one another. The Pukhtoons freely cross the border. Why turn a blind eye to such a great opportunity? Move the capital to Qwotta or Kabul and rule the country from there.
You have Afghanistan’s natural resources + Pakistani companies + Gwadar and Karachi for exports and Herat and Lahore for land exports. What could be greater?
It would be a gold mine of oppurtunity and a restructuring of power in Asia and the Middle East. Although you would need a disciplined and intelligent Civil Government to implement and synchronize such a policy shift.
What do you think? Why are we blind and close minded? If Iran could do it [bring Shia Iraqis into shia Iran’s officialdom], why cant Pakistan do it with its burgeoning Pakhtoon population?
Many foresee the eventual unification of Pakistan and Afghanistan in their entirety. Both countries have diverse populations with strong Pashtun(Afghan) minorities. Many scholars point to the fact that stability in one country is directly tied to events in the other. Both countries in fact, already share strong trade, economic, cultural, linguistic, religious, political and historical ties. They have been united in the past on several different occasions. Afghan and in particular Tajik traders and scholars regularly travelled to the Indus in ancient times and plied their trade. Scholars point out that its not a matter of if the two countries unite, but rather of when they unite as the two countries histories seem inextricably intertwinned. Such a union, would prove beneficial in many aspects. The Afghan (Pashtun) ethnic groups would finally be united but be balanced by a myriad of ethnic groups. Traditionally, when Afghans were united in a nation of their own, they have often been bogged down in internal warfare and tribal feuds. However, when part of a multi ethnic state, they have often flourished. The economic potential of such a confederation would be enormous and help propel both countries forward economically particularly for Afghanistan, but Pakistan would also benefit considerably. Such a move would also stabilize the region as a whole. Often what one country lacks, the other has, eg. Pakistan has a surplus of food while Afghanistan has shortages of foodstuffs. Afghanistan has an abundance of untapped natural resources and offers strategic depth while Pakistan often lacks them. The two countries where united as recently as the 18th century under the Afghan Empire founded by Ahmed Shah Durrani, an Afghan born in Multan, in the province of Panjab in modern day Pakistan.
signup, I would like to signup (if there is a line) to smoke what you do.
I as Pakistani, would be against such "union", there is no semblance in "culture" and governance. Such a union will only take Pakistan 40-60 years backwards from where it is now (which is already few decades behind region). Afghanistan is land of militia, warlords, Pakistan is land of waderas, chodhry, saieen, maliks. There is great difference on how Pakistan and Afghanistan operate. Even though the political powers in both countries are lotas but still share no other aspect. Pakistan is struggling to keep FATA together and in a "peaceful" manner and lately it has failed to do so. If I were given a choice, I would abandon FATA and let it join Afghanistan and live "happily ever after".
Captain1, … Yes, it will be hard, but the benefits will be immense. On the other hand, if a group of individuals from FATA, a tribaly backward area, has overpowered the Military Republic of Pakistan - what a pathetic shame. Your going to let a handful of tribes who have never even studied such things as Maths or Poetry or Sciences in the way of a cultural and economic power? And you boast of your military? (not you in specific, rhetorical)
You dont understand what this could do for Pakistan-Afghanistan economically and internationally.
YES, the political currents suck in both nations, but if a crafted politician comes to power, he can make this happen.
I may have a small mind, but even with this small mind I can see Afghanistan+Pakistan as a disaster and you with big brain cannot see it? I don’t “boast” of our army’s “strength”, infact our army has become to used to comfort at being in “drawing room” (Federal capital that is). Instead of “serving” their nation, army is now “ruling” their nation.
BTW, few FATA individuals have not “over powered” military unless you are referring to “kidnapping” of 100+ army personnel. Do you honestly believe FATA “individuals” can take on an “army”? They can operate in similar fashion like Alkeyda/Taliban (hit and hide in population).
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to be “let alone” (separately, by military or foreign powers) and they can both become powerful soon, they don’t have to be “united”. They can play the love game once they become stable and powerful enough and establish a “block”.
As you like. Personally i think its no more ridiculous than fighting India over a piece of land called Kashmir. A barren land with no economic worth at all with a fast dying capital Srinigar.
Given all the Pashtuns who already live in Pakistan, what percentage of them do you think actually live here? If 3/5 of them are already here, what stops you? Yes the people are more "backwards" but everyone was.
Human labor will be cheaper, more potential for economic work with countries like Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China; they serve as good and discplined fighters, and finally the untapped natural reserves underneath their lands. Im talking natural gas and such. The potential to work deals with Kazakhstan with oil.
But no, lets keep our potential limited. Because when we hit 300,000,000 by 2040 we wont be anymore congested then we are now. ;(
Oh, then just pulling out of FATA, like you originally put forth, is just your unambitious and defeatist attitude? Okay. Right, we cant find them because with all our military and satellite technology isnt good enough. Or we are too damn lazy to make an effort.
Truly, i do believe parts of Pakistan will be lost to Afghanistan once Afghanistan gets the upper hand. Letting alone a country with proven minerals and such a strategic location is idiotic. Those people can fight when motivated. And when the USA does pull out - considering Kabul controls nothing but Kabul itself - you can expect lawlessness.
Power is - at the moment - limited because of US presence. Dont be too sure fringe groups wont attack and take over Kabul and make incursions into Pakistan to attack the “betrayers of Islam”. They didnt attack you before because you were financing them. When the US leaves your enemy number one.
Get it rolling now when youve got the chance. Dont wait for a devestating power vaccum. **Also your army is a percentage Pashtun. Keep that in mind. Its idiotic to give all the weapons to the Pasthuns and Punjabis.
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2. Oh, then just pulling out of FATA, like you originally put forth, is just your unambitious and defeatist attitude? Okay. Right, we cant find them because with all our military and satellite technology isnt good enough. Or we are too damn lazy to make an effort.
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You can consider it whatever you want, but "Durand" line was British way of dividing people and leaving with 'conflicts' alive, people in FATA are naturally closer to Afghanistan and they have refused to abide by constitution of Pakistan and live by rules of Pakistan so whats the point keeping such a land when you can't control? They have been troublemakers all this while.
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3. Truly, i do believe parts of Pakistan will be lost to Afghanistan once Afghanistan gets the upper hand. Letting alone a country with proven minerals and such a strategic location is idiotic. Those people can fight when motivated. And when the USA does pull out - considering Kabul controls nothing but Kabul itself - you can expect lawlessness.
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Truly, I believe ISI could've conquered Afghanistan but they let Taliban do the job. ISI is still sympathetic with Taliban and Alkeyda (the disconnect in army and ISI is very obvious) and even if US withdraws from Afghanistan ISI will become "active" again and will gain support of Pakistan government.
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Power is - at the moment - limited because of US presence. Dont be too sure fringe groups wont attack and take over Kabul and make incursions into Pakistan to attack the "betrayers of Islam". They didnt attack you before because you were financing them. When the US leaves your enemy number one.
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Fringe groups couldn't come to an agreement which lasted a month (time when both US and Russia left Afghanistan alone 1989-1993), there are way too many groups and each one is as egoistic and powerful as the other one. Chances are much higher that they will push Afghanista into 17th or 18th century compared to them forming a power and attacking Pakistan to grab a piece of land.
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Get it rolling now when youve got the chance. Dont wait for a devestating power vaccum. **Also your army is a percentage Pashtun. Keep that in mind. Its idiotic to give all the weapons to the Pasthuns and Punjabis.
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I'd rather let current Pakistan develop and prosper alone and be a fighting unit instead of "uniting" all the problems, power-houses-fighting for power etc.
I don’t “boast” of our army’s “strength”, infact our army has become to used to comfort at being in “drawing room” (Federal capital that is). Instead of “serving” their nation, army is now “ruling” their nation.