Résumé

Syria’s internal wars and Ukraine are causing much heartburn in Paris and Washington but the messy aftermath of US withdrawal from Afghanistan by yearend 2014 is likely to be much more worrisome, like a regional cancer. So far, the viral spread of violent Islamic extremism is a containable trail of gunpowder rather than a giant forest fire that reduces all to ashes. Post-2014 Afghanistan could be the start of that forest fire if Kabul is neglected again or left to its own devices. Afghanistan deserves close attention and clearer strategy because it is a potential hub spreading spokes of internal conflicts, fuelled by violent Islam wedded to terrorism. The strategic solutions cannot be left to the hubris of generals, jingoist politicians and jihadists.