On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is planning to hold talks with the Taliban over plans for Turkish troops to stay in Afghanistan to control the Kabul airport.
“God willing, we will see what kind of talks we will have with the Taliban and see where these talks take us,” Erdogan said. The Turkish president also called on the Taliban to end its “occupation” of Afghanistan.
The US and Turkey have agreed that Turkish troops who are currently guarding the Kabul airport will stay to secure it. But the Taliban views this plan as a violation of the US-Taliban peace deal, which called for all foreign troops to leave Afghanistan.
The Taliban has issued multiple warnings against a continued Turkish presence at the airport. Last week, the Taliban issued a statement about the plan. “We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation,” the statement said.
The US wants Turkey to control the airport so the foreign embassies in Kabul can remain open. President Biden said the Afghanistan withdrawal would be completed by August 31st, but the US plans to leave about 600 troops behind at the embassy and to help Turkey guard the airport.
After reading the title of this post, the first thing which popped into my head was “what do they have to talk about?”
The Taliban has taken everything the US has thrown at them, so I can’t imagine Turkey making any kind of credible threat.
So if not the “Stick”, what about the “Carrot”?
Turkey is starting to make modern armaments. Does the Taliban have any need for Drones? Tanks? Obviously I don’t know, but the prospect seems unlikely to me.
Turkey may have nearly used up the mercenaries of Syria, so it might need a new source.
Afghanistan’s GDP per capita is about $2,000, and it ranks 213 among 228 world nations
It’s entirely possible young Abdul would jump at the chance to get that kind of salary every month. Taliban bosses could impose some minor taxes on the incoming money, and might be receptive to some “appreciation” payments from the Turks.
OK, I’m guessing, but what else might they be “talking” about?
The death of 250 Turkish troops won’t garner optimistic headlines in Turkish newspapers.
I’m told the operation goes down this Thursday.
Erdogan doesn’t seem to possess an interloper’s perspective.