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The Comrades and the Mullahs: China, Afghanistan and the New Asian Geopolitics
The withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan has left a lasting impact on both Afghanistan's future and on Asian geopolitics. It has also brought China into focus. This book traces the emergence of China as a key player in Afghanistan and the evolution of China's Afghan policy especially with respect to its relations with the Taliban. Beijing's dominant role in Afghanistan's future is a potentially game-changing development in Asian geopolitics, even if questions remain about the former's appetite to step in to fill the void and the limits of its ambitions.
In The Comrades and the Mullahs, Ananth Krishnan and Stanly Johny examine what Beijing's interests are and the drivers of its foreign policy, and, more specifically, how its new Silk Road project-the Belt and Road Initiative-is shaping China-Afghan relations. They look at how Afghanistan has emerged as a key point on the corridor heading west from Xinjiang, and discuss the Xinjiang factor, drawing on their travels to China's western frontiers, as well as the internal dynamics that are pushing Beijing's westward march.
Another factor is the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the terror groups that are leading to an increasingly securitized approach to China's western regions and beyond, including possible Chinese plans to deploy special forces along the China-Afghan border areas in the Wakhan corridor and Badakhshan region.
China's Afghan engagement has also deepened its 'all-weather' alliance with Pakistan-with Beijing increasingly leaning on Islamabad, particularly in its outreach to the Taliban and other elements in Afghanistan that have long been supported by the Pakistani state-and is a perennial source of tension between Islamabad and Kabul. The authors show how this increasing closeness is alarming for India, and might have far-reaching consequences, especially in Kashmir.
In The Comrades and the Mullahs, Ananth Krishnan and Stanly Johny examine what Beijing's interests are and the drivers of its foreign policy, and, more specifically, how its new Silk Road project-the Belt and Road Initiative-is shaping China-Afghan relations. They look at how Afghanistan has emerged as a key point on the corridor heading west from Xinjiang, and discuss the Xinjiang factor, drawing on their travels to China's western frontiers, as well as the internal dynamics that are pushing Beijing's westward march.
Another factor is the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the terror groups that are leading to an increasingly securitized approach to China's western regions and beyond, including possible Chinese plans to deploy special forces along the China-Afghan border areas in the Wakhan corridor and Badakhshan region.
China's Afghan engagement has also deepened its 'all-weather' alliance with Pakistan-with Beijing increasingly leaning on Islamabad, particularly in its outreach to the Taliban and other elements in Afghanistan that have long been supported by the Pakistani state-and is a perennial source of tension between Islamabad and Kabul. The authors show how this increasing closeness is alarming for India, and might have far-reaching consequences, especially in Kashmir.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 26, 2022
Well structured and sourced, Comrades and Mullahs is informative and engaging. Afghan, China, Pakistan and India, their engagements with each other and the motives that drives them are put in perspective.
October 26, 2022
Full of repetitions, factual errors and falsities
April 28, 2022
Very informative highlighting the list of events circling around Afghanistan - implications of invasion by foreign powers, their sudden withdrawal, rise of Taliban and how the super powers like China are betting on Taliban for their socioeconomic interests. One common thread running throughout this book is the perception of the superpowers to treat Afghanistan as a mere chessboard and exploiting the same for their own benefits. When we read about these stories sitting in India, we realize how privileged we are being born in a democracy!
April 23, 2022
A masterpiece on international relations by two eminent persons of our times. A must-read for those who really want to establish an understanding of the implications of deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan and what is the role of China and western powers in this all juxtapositioning.
April 19, 2022
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, Tajikistan to the northeast, and China to the northeast and east. Its geographical location, and current socio-political and economic condition with the Taliban 2.0 in the government make it one of the important players in Asian Geopolitics and with the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan in 2021, doors for China and Pakistan have opened up to use Afghanistan as their geopolitical playground.
This book analyzes how Afghanistan had been traditionally at a junction point where multiple global powers tried to use it as their battleground without considering the interests of the common people of Afghanistan and how the exit of the US has created a void that China is trying to fill in with a lot of involvement from Pakistan. India, which is not very far away geographically, had been traditionally reluctant in recognizing and dealing with the Taliban government. However, with two of its major neighbors trying to get hold of Afghanistan as their tool to become important players in Asian geopolitics, India will have to change its approach albeit reluctantly.
The first half of the book talks about the history of Afghanistan and the conditions leading to the creation, rise, and fall of the Taliban 1.0. The second half gives a detailed account of China's internal and external policy and priorities shaping its plans to fill the void created by the US's exit from Afghanistan. The last chapter deals with India, how it has been viewing and dealing with the political developments happening in its northern and western neighboring countries, and how the latest geopolitical developments are leading to major security threats for her.
The strength of this book is the authors' writing style and structuring of chapters which is very engaging and makes the book a page-turner. However, content-wise there is very little that is not already known to the world through general media. Overall, it can be a good book for those readers who are new to Asian geopolitics and who want to know about Afghanistan, the Taliban, and China's policy towards terrorism and its neighboring countries. Others can give it a pass.
⭐⭐⭐.25/5
This book analyzes how Afghanistan had been traditionally at a junction point where multiple global powers tried to use it as their battleground without considering the interests of the common people of Afghanistan and how the exit of the US has created a void that China is trying to fill in with a lot of involvement from Pakistan. India, which is not very far away geographically, had been traditionally reluctant in recognizing and dealing with the Taliban government. However, with two of its major neighbors trying to get hold of Afghanistan as their tool to become important players in Asian geopolitics, India will have to change its approach albeit reluctantly.
The first half of the book talks about the history of Afghanistan and the conditions leading to the creation, rise, and fall of the Taliban 1.0. The second half gives a detailed account of China's internal and external policy and priorities shaping its plans to fill the void created by the US's exit from Afghanistan. The last chapter deals with India, how it has been viewing and dealing with the political developments happening in its northern and western neighboring countries, and how the latest geopolitical developments are leading to major security threats for her.
The strength of this book is the authors' writing style and structuring of chapters which is very engaging and makes the book a page-turner. However, content-wise there is very little that is not already known to the world through general media. Overall, it can be a good book for those readers who are new to Asian geopolitics and who want to know about Afghanistan, the Taliban, and China's policy towards terrorism and its neighboring countries. Others can give it a pass.
⭐⭐⭐.25/5
May 26, 2023
If you want to understand the Afghanistan tragedy, this is the book for you. It covers the Afghan politics right from the pre-Soviet era to the present day Taliban takeover. It not only gives a factual and well researched perspective on the political developments of Afghanistan but also contains a lot of trivia related to specific transactions, events and diplomatic exchanges.
China’s role in Afghanistan is discussed in depth and a specific chapter is given on the China-Pak axis, its effect on India and larger South Asian geopolitics. One of the best lucidly written book that keeps you engaged throughout and the chapter endings are cherry on the icing.
Recommended for the students of PSIR and otherwise.
China’s role in Afghanistan is discussed in depth and a specific chapter is given on the China-Pak axis, its effect on India and larger South Asian geopolitics. One of the best lucidly written book that keeps you engaged throughout and the chapter endings are cherry on the icing.
Recommended for the students of PSIR and otherwise.
August 19, 2022
The current events in Afghanistan have once again raised alarm over the Taliban regime’s capability to provide security and establish peace in the country.
On 23rd April 2022, a noxious blast tore through a mosque in Afghanistan’s northern city of Kunduz killing more than 30 worshipers. This was followed by a second successive attack on a mosque on Friday, 29th April, in which more than 50 worshippers lost their lives.
Despite receiving humanitarian and economic support from Pakistan, the Taliban government has failed to rein in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from carrying out attacks. The tribal areas of North Waziristan close to the Afghan border have suffered from attacks at regular intervals in which many Pakistani soldiers have died.
In the chapters of this book the authors have told the account of power after power entering, and then failing, to remake Afghanistan as maintained by their vision.
Each left behind a trace of devastation, damage and disorder, while trying to install regimes that would struggle for legitimacy, more often than not being puppets propped up by these foreign hands, and unavoidably collapsing for the next civil war to begin.
The book is divided into ten chapters that offer a graphic and chronological view of Afghanistan’s civil war, foreign interventions and the development of its polity.
1. America in Afghanistan
2. The Rise of the Mullahs
3. The Generals’ Proxies
4. The Fall of Kabul
5. Return of the Silk Road
6. Betting on the Taliban
7. Good Terrorists, Bad Terrorists
8. The Xinjiang Factor
9. Iron Brothers
10. The View from India
The first half of this book focuses on America in Afghanistan – its admission and egress – while the second half deals with the rising authority of China on its neighbour to the west.
**The first chapter maps America’s decades-long interference, direct and indirect, in Afghanistan, which culminated in its pulling out in August 2021.
**The second chapter looks at the Taliban’s origins, philosophy and their rise to power. During the anti-Soviet civil war, the diverse Mujahideen factions, divided over ethnicities and ideologies, stood combined against the common enemy. But once the communist regime fell, they started fighting against each other, plunging Afghanistan into a lethal civil war.
**The third chapter follows the curve of their fall from power and their second coming, in some measure thanks to Pakistan hosting them and helping facilitate their return.
** The fourth chapter rebuilds the events that led to the Taliban’s return to Kabul, starting with the departure agreement that the US signed with the Taliban in February 2020.
** The fifth chapter delves into the past and present of China’s presence in Afghanistan, going back to connections forged along the old Silk Road and through the travels of scholar–monks. The authors chart the rise and fall of Chinese influence in Afghanistan, and how ties are today poised on the cusp of a new era.
** The sixth chapter looks at where on the spectrum of celebration to caution we are likely to find China’s approach to Afghanistan in this new era. The debates in Beijing suggest that its approach is likely to be calibrated somewhere in the middle.
** The seventh chapter investigates China’s rendezvous with the Taliban and a disagreement that lies at the heart of this relationship – a hardening of China’s policy towards its own Muslims, particularly in its western Xinjiang region.
** The eighth chapter delves into Xinjiang’s history and troubled assimilation into the People’s Republic, and how the party’s Xinjiang policy impacts China’s foreign policy.
** The ninth chapter sheds light on China’s relationship with Pakistan, and how more and more for Beijing, the road to Kabul runs through Islamabad. Unsteadiness in Afghanistan is further reaffirming an already close relationship as China leans even more on the country it now calls its ‘iron brother’ to defend its security interests in the region.
** The tenth chapter looks at the changes in Afghanistan through an Indian lens, as New Delhi confronts the prospect of rising Chinese and Pakistani influence in a country that it has historically enjoyed warm ties with.
The author says, “History is said to repeat itself, first as tragedy, then, as farce. In the case of Afghanistan, it has simply been tragedy, followed by tragedy.”
This book tells the story of the latest great power that sought – and failed – to remake Afghanistan, and what its breakdown will mean for the world, and predominantly for the growing ambitions of its great rival – a superpower-in-waiting that happens to sit right next door.
On 23rd April 2022, a noxious blast tore through a mosque in Afghanistan’s northern city of Kunduz killing more than 30 worshipers. This was followed by a second successive attack on a mosque on Friday, 29th April, in which more than 50 worshippers lost their lives.
Despite receiving humanitarian and economic support from Pakistan, the Taliban government has failed to rein in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from carrying out attacks. The tribal areas of North Waziristan close to the Afghan border have suffered from attacks at regular intervals in which many Pakistani soldiers have died.
In the chapters of this book the authors have told the account of power after power entering, and then failing, to remake Afghanistan as maintained by their vision.
Each left behind a trace of devastation, damage and disorder, while trying to install regimes that would struggle for legitimacy, more often than not being puppets propped up by these foreign hands, and unavoidably collapsing for the next civil war to begin.
The book is divided into ten chapters that offer a graphic and chronological view of Afghanistan’s civil war, foreign interventions and the development of its polity.
1. America in Afghanistan
2. The Rise of the Mullahs
3. The Generals’ Proxies
4. The Fall of Kabul
5. Return of the Silk Road
6. Betting on the Taliban
7. Good Terrorists, Bad Terrorists
8. The Xinjiang Factor
9. Iron Brothers
10. The View from India
The first half of this book focuses on America in Afghanistan – its admission and egress – while the second half deals with the rising authority of China on its neighbour to the west.
**The first chapter maps America’s decades-long interference, direct and indirect, in Afghanistan, which culminated in its pulling out in August 2021.
**The second chapter looks at the Taliban’s origins, philosophy and their rise to power. During the anti-Soviet civil war, the diverse Mujahideen factions, divided over ethnicities and ideologies, stood combined against the common enemy. But once the communist regime fell, they started fighting against each other, plunging Afghanistan into a lethal civil war.
**The third chapter follows the curve of their fall from power and their second coming, in some measure thanks to Pakistan hosting them and helping facilitate their return.
** The fourth chapter rebuilds the events that led to the Taliban’s return to Kabul, starting with the departure agreement that the US signed with the Taliban in February 2020.
** The fifth chapter delves into the past and present of China’s presence in Afghanistan, going back to connections forged along the old Silk Road and through the travels of scholar–monks. The authors chart the rise and fall of Chinese influence in Afghanistan, and how ties are today poised on the cusp of a new era.
** The sixth chapter looks at where on the spectrum of celebration to caution we are likely to find China’s approach to Afghanistan in this new era. The debates in Beijing suggest that its approach is likely to be calibrated somewhere in the middle.
** The seventh chapter investigates China’s rendezvous with the Taliban and a disagreement that lies at the heart of this relationship – a hardening of China’s policy towards its own Muslims, particularly in its western Xinjiang region.
** The eighth chapter delves into Xinjiang’s history and troubled assimilation into the People’s Republic, and how the party’s Xinjiang policy impacts China’s foreign policy.
** The ninth chapter sheds light on China’s relationship with Pakistan, and how more and more for Beijing, the road to Kabul runs through Islamabad. Unsteadiness in Afghanistan is further reaffirming an already close relationship as China leans even more on the country it now calls its ‘iron brother’ to defend its security interests in the region.
** The tenth chapter looks at the changes in Afghanistan through an Indian lens, as New Delhi confronts the prospect of rising Chinese and Pakistani influence in a country that it has historically enjoyed warm ties with.
The author says, “History is said to repeat itself, first as tragedy, then, as farce. In the case of Afghanistan, it has simply been tragedy, followed by tragedy.”
This book tells the story of the latest great power that sought – and failed – to remake Afghanistan, and what its breakdown will mean for the world, and predominantly for the growing ambitions of its great rival – a superpower-in-waiting that happens to sit right next door.
December 10, 2022
The complete withdrawal of the USA from Afghanistan in 2020 was the most important topic in the news and it was just being accepted fully when the Taliban acquired Afghanistan and the world start blaming America for this. But how much do we know about the USA or Taliban, about Afghanistan for that matter? It will leave you stunned knowing about the history of it all and this book so brilliantly presents all the propaganda and motives, gain and loss, tricks and actions, and its impact on Asian Geopolitics.
China, which was not visible in the vicinity, how cleverly emerged as the key player amid all this. After reading this book, I was really shocked and even embarrassed at my ignorance about world affairs, when I have been sitting at my home calculating our government’s actions for the sake of the country, out there, countries are playing pachisi with a new strategy at every round and it is affecting not just a country but a whole continent.
The Taliban is the villain, right? How the hell is it dominating a whole country? Without any outer help? Well, don’t be too naïve. With general English, facts, and straight writing this book may be my first one on Geopolitics and yet it unfolded a whole new part of my brain filled with endless curiosity to know things.
Everything is connected and if we behave like something happening in a faraway country doesn’t affect us, no one is more stupid than us. The time I took to finish this book might be the reason for not having completely indulged myself in Geopolitics, but I am certain that I will read more books of this genre in the coming years.
China, which was not visible in the vicinity, how cleverly emerged as the key player amid all this. After reading this book, I was really shocked and even embarrassed at my ignorance about world affairs, when I have been sitting at my home calculating our government’s actions for the sake of the country, out there, countries are playing pachisi with a new strategy at every round and it is affecting not just a country but a whole continent.
The Taliban is the villain, right? How the hell is it dominating a whole country? Without any outer help? Well, don’t be too naïve. With general English, facts, and straight writing this book may be my first one on Geopolitics and yet it unfolded a whole new part of my brain filled with endless curiosity to know things.
Everything is connected and if we behave like something happening in a faraway country doesn’t affect us, no one is more stupid than us. The time I took to finish this book might be the reason for not having completely indulged myself in Geopolitics, but I am certain that I will read more books of this genre in the coming years.
Read
December 23, 2025This book was a very recent buy. from BP books and periodicals Ranchi. The reason i picked the book was that it was contemprarry. Writeen by people who ave seen it all closely and covered it. It starts with a brief history of Afghanistan from the point British tried to contro it and how they failed and it moves further. The book isnt written from Indian perspective but did share the angle in one pf the chapters. The book shares the rise of modernising of Afghanistan to Communisim entering and why Soviet intervened followed by same mistake done by US, where in they tried to control it from far but later ended up stepping in and leaving with a bruised nose and pride. Its obvious that Pakistan is a major actor in that region because of lack of strategic depth within its own country but moment you see Afghanistan as its backyard strategic depth increases further. The rise of Taliban and then the fall and rise again and how erstwhile foes became freinds again. The mistake china isnt committing but seems its only a matter of time. Something they avoided in Pakistan but are now doing it which is bringing its boots on the ground be it PoK, Balochistan or even Tajikistan. The book shares deep details (something i have never read) about China's XinJiang problem and how Islamic Terrorism is affecting itself as well. Something where usual culprit Pakistan is involved as well. The India angle is here to say the least is laidback or may more watch and act. All in All a really Interetsing Read
October 3, 2022
Kark Marx once said, "History repeats itself, first as a tragedy and then as a farce". In the case of Afghanistan, it has simply been a tragedy, followed by tragedy. From Mohammed Daoud Khan to Mohammad Najibullah and from Mullah Omar to Hibatullah Akhundzada. From Soviets to Americans and from Tajiks to Pashtuns; through all the churn and the changing positions on the chess board, there has only been one constant. That is the continued suffering of the innocent people of Afghanistan.
A must-read for students of geopolitics and International Politics especially from the Indian subcontinent. They have provided deep insights into historical and contemporary matters. The security and political factors mostly dominate the book, however, at times it also covers economic aspects of the respective matters. The structure of the book could not be any more perfect than this.
Overall enjoyed the book; Happy reading.
A must-read for students of geopolitics and International Politics especially from the Indian subcontinent. They have provided deep insights into historical and contemporary matters. The security and political factors mostly dominate the book, however, at times it also covers economic aspects of the respective matters. The structure of the book could not be any more perfect than this.
Overall enjoyed the book; Happy reading.
February 26, 2023
A wonderful read, well researched and covering the current geopolitical situation in a comprehensive and yet, engaging manner.
The book traces the history of Afghanistan and its current context through its history and geography leading to the situation it currently faces. It also gives a good insight into the psychology of some of its neighbouring countries as well as distant ones, that have created the situation the Afghan people find themselves in.
A good one to savour and of course, keep in mind as things unfold from here on in.
The book traces the history of Afghanistan and its current context through its history and geography leading to the situation it currently faces. It also gives a good insight into the psychology of some of its neighbouring countries as well as distant ones, that have created the situation the Afghan people find themselves in.
A good one to savour and of course, keep in mind as things unfold from here on in.
May 13, 2024
A must read to know the geopolitics of Asian subcontinent, the rise of afghan jihad, Afghanistan's colonial struggles followed by the fight for influence by the two great powers of the era. An important read when the world is witnessing the resurgence of Taliban and its jihad. The decline of the US, India's security concerns and the overall stability of the continent are explained in order. Stanley Johny and Ananth Krishnan remain the best duo scholars to write on geopolitics of decades gone by and the present.
July 7, 2024
I am an avid reader of Stanly Johny's pieces in The Hindu newspaper. This particular book enriched me about Afganistan's state of rule from.1973 to till date, Taliban's religious school of thought and much more about the Chinese Xinjiang province.
The book had some factual errors like bombings of American interests in Africa which occured in 1998 but it was incorrectly mentioned as 2008 twice.
Also most of the stories are repetitive which could have been avoided.
Looking forward to read author's earlier book on ISIS
The book had some factual errors like bombings of American interests in Africa which occured in 1998 but it was incorrectly mentioned as 2008 twice.
Also most of the stories are repetitive which could have been avoided.
Looking forward to read author's earlier book on ISIS
June 30, 2022
Oh boy, this was an exceptional book.
Very interesting read.
Extremely well researched and written.
I learned a lot.
Important subject matter. Concerning
Would very much recommend.
4.8/5
Very interesting read.
Extremely well researched and written.
I learned a lot.
Important subject matter. Concerning
Would very much recommend.
4.8/5
July 10, 2022
An average read. Covers Afghanistan's tryst with superpowers, China & India. Brings out nothing new from already known facts.
September 25, 2022
Shallow, especially on china part.
October 10, 2025
Very good first half, vey bad second half. On an average, a below average books
May 25, 2022
The Comrades and the Mullahs -- Ananth Krishnan and Stanly Johny
After exit of US from Afghanistan, role which China would and could play in AfPak region acquires much more importance. Relationship of China and Afghanistan, with ever present factor of Pakistan, will define security neighborhood for India in foreseeable future
This book helps understand the context in which these relationships will develop in coming years. Taliban is unpredictable; Pakistan is ever mischievous in search of strategic depth; china is cautious, especially with security of CPEC and Xinjiang in view and rest of the world is watching closely
Altogether an informative and light reading
After exit of US from Afghanistan, role which China would and could play in AfPak region acquires much more importance. Relationship of China and Afghanistan, with ever present factor of Pakistan, will define security neighborhood for India in foreseeable future
This book helps understand the context in which these relationships will develop in coming years. Taliban is unpredictable; Pakistan is ever mischievous in search of strategic depth; china is cautious, especially with security of CPEC and Xinjiang in view and rest of the world is watching closely
Altogether an informative and light reading
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews