October 28, 2014 | Press Release

New FDD Monograph Explores Role of China in Afghanistan’s Future

WASHINGTON – A new monograph published by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies explores the role China is likely to play in shaping Afghanistan’s future, now that American troops have left the country. The publication, “China’s Post-2014 Role in Afghanistan,” by FDD Senior Fellow Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, details how Beijing will emerge as one of Afghanistan’s most important neighbors in the coming years. After all, China has significant economic and security interests in Afghanistan that are likely to keep it deeply engaged.

The publication, co-authored by Nathaniel Barr and Daniel Trombly, explores China’s objectives in both exploiting Afghanistan’s natural resources and preventing violent non-state actors that pose a direct threat to Chinese territory or interests from establishing a safe haven in the country. But although Washington has seen Chinese activities in Afghanistan as largely a positive force to date, Gartenstein-Ross foreshadows the potential for conflict between the United States and China over policies towards militant groups. Beijing’s primary concern is depriving groups that pose a threat to it, particularly those associated with the Uighur ethnic group, from a safe space to operate. China is likely willing to strike a deal with other non-state actors, including the Taliban, in pursuit of these goals—which may well produce tensions with Washington.

Gartenstein-Ross is an adjunct assistant professor in Georgetown University’s security studies program and is an expert on the challenges posed by violent non-state actors, including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. He is author or volume editor of 15 books and monographs, including Bin Laden’s Legacy. He is also a frequent guest on CNN and other television news channels.

The full monograph is available here.

About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies:
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. Visit our website at www.defenddemocracy.org and connect with us on TwitterFacebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Matthew E. Berger, Senior Director of Communications
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Issues:

Afghanistan