Three interesting videos about developments in Afghanistan and their relevance to Iran. Frankly, watch these if you have time and are interested.
First clip, a short one by ostad Raefipoor:
Key points:
1) Significant difference between salafi/wahhabi "jihadis" groups and the Taleban.
To be precise, members of the Taleban follow the Hanafi school of jurisprudence (figh), the Deobandi school of religious thought (aqeeda) and maturidi theology (kalam).
2) So-called ethnic (in fact linguistic) divisions in Afghanistan are much more pronounced than confessional ones.
They've mostly opposed Pashtuns and Parsi-speakers (Tajiks, Hazaras, Aymaq), with Uzbeks, Turkmens, Baluch and Nurestanis being other parties involved. Even between Shias, the Sadat and Hazara "ethnic" groups have been at conflict on several occasions.
Additional comment by me: only the so-called "I"SIS-K grouplet seems to have strong sectarianist motivations. It is part of the zio-American agenda to try and add a "Shia-Sunni" layer to the conflict, primarily as a tool against Iranian interests and security.
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Second clip, from Omid Dana.
Key point: Iranian liberals (reformists + centrists/moderates) ie the very same people who used to gripe and moan about Iran's involvement in Syria (remember Hashemi Rafsanjani's speech blaming President Assad), are now scandalized about what they deem to be excessive passivity on the IRGC's part in the face of Taleban take over in Afghanistan.
On the other hand those loyal to the principles of the Islamic Revolution want to avoid any sort of involvement in Afghanistan, while understanding the necessity of Iranian assistance to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
It is essentially the western-apologetic liberals known for their opposition to involvement in regional conflicts, who now all of a sudden are crying for intervention in Afghanistan! Whereas revolutionary forces and the IRGC take an opposite stance.
But no worries, Iran isn't going to step into the US-concocted trap of hastened and unjustified intervention in Afghanistan despite the return of the Taleban.
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Third clip, comprehensive analysis of the Afghan situation by Omid Dana.
Lessons to be drawn for from the fate of the US-subservient Ghani administration's. For Iranians - including domestic liberals and exiled oppositionists who were cheering for US-installed regime in Kabul as an example of a successful "democracy", and also for all non-Iranians.
How Iran kept silent for the past 20 years about the Afghan client regime's provocative and treacherous behaviour, including sending over spies disguised as immigrants, allowing the US military to use Afghan territory for hostile operations (the RQ-170 which Iran captured took off from there), antagonizing Iran over water supply from the Helmand river etc. Contrary to Abdollah Abdollah and even Hamed Karzai once he woke up to America's intentions, Ghani for his part systematically refused Iranian overtures and preferred to remain subservient to Washington, while taking part in official meetings in America where the Afghan flag was lacking! This is why the US wanted Ghani and not Abdollah elected. Yet Iran consistently kept a low profile due to Afghanistan being the brotherly nation it is, and Afghans being basically an Iranian people.
Of the corruption of Afghanistan's toppled pro-US rulers, with Ghani and his entourage grabbing national wealth in cash on their flight from the country.
How the US was defeated in Afghanistan, and how it ditched its local vassals in a typical, so oft repeated move. A lesson for all those, in Iran and abroad, who in 2021 still believe in submitting to imperial US overlordship!
The factors which led to the sweeping Taleban victory: one, grassroots support among the Pashtun population, Afghanistan's largest community; two, the homogeneous political orientation of Afghan Pashtuns relative to other Afghan communities; and three, decisive support from Pakistan's military and intelligence services.
How Taleban leaders on their recent trip to Iran did not just meet Zarif, but off camera also sat down with officials who really matter when it comes to Iran's foreign and defence policies. What deals were struck then between the two sides.
How the Taleban kept their promise to safely escort Iran's Sunni Tajik ally Ismael Khan from his stronghold in Herat to the Iranian border, from where he moved on to the holy city of Mashhad, where he was welcomed by crowds. How the Taleban did not enter the velayats of Bamyan (where Hazara are present) and Panjshir (under the control of Ahmad Shah Masud's son), again in line with Iranian wishes.
What led to the conflict between Iran and the Taleban in the 1990's, and in what ways the situation differs now. But also, the many options at Iran's disposal, should things ever turn sour.
