The defense ministers of the United States and Turkey discussed bilateral cooperation and the issue of the diplomatic presence of both states in Afghanistan.

This was reported on the official website of the Pentagon.

"Today US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed by telephone with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar bilateral cooperation and the preservation of the countries' diplomatic presence in Afghanistan," the statement said.

It is specified that Austin "reaffirmed the importance of the long-standing relationship between the United States and Turkey in the field of defense" and thanked the Turkish minister for "continued communication and cooperation on peace and security issues."

  • US and Turkish defense chiefs Lloyd Austin and Hulusi Akar

  • © Turkish National Defense Ministry / Handout / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Afghan issues were also discussed during the recent high-level talks between the presidents of the United States and Turkey, Joe Biden and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The heads of the two countries agreed that after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the Turkish side will assume the main role in ensuring the security of the Kabul airport.

Jake Sullivan, adviser to the head of the White House on national security, told reporters about this.

"The leaders (USA and Turkey. -

RT

) have clearly stated their commitment to the idea that Turkey will play a leading role in ensuring the security of the international airport (Kabul. -

RT

) named after Hamid Karzai, and now we are working on how to achieve this." Sullivan said.

He also commented on the earlier statement by the Taliban *, in which the radicals condemned Ankara's plans to maintain its military contingent in Afghanistan.

"Of course, we take fears seriously about possible attacks by the Taliban or other elements in Afghanistan on the western or international contingent ... We do not believe that public statements by the Taliban should or will hinder the efforts now being made to ensure security." Sullivan said.

"Close and warm relationship"

According to the director of the Center for the Study of a New Turkey, Yuri Mavashev, the discussion that the Turkish forces may remain in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the American contingent has been going on for a long time.

“Negotiations on this matter were started under Trump.

It is about ensuring the security of the Kabul airport, ”the expert explained.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also announced Ankara's plans to take over the protection of the capital's airport after the withdrawal of the American military contingent from Afghanistan in early June 2021.

At the same time, the head of the Turkish defense department added that Turkey's further actions in this matter depend on the support of the allies.

  • Afghan Taliban

  • © REUTERS / Parwiz

“Depending on the observance of certain conditions, we intend to maintain our presence in Afghanistan.

Our conditions presuppose the provision of political, financial and logistical support to us.

If they are fulfilled, we can stay at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, ”Akara quoted Reuters as saying.

The Taliban have criticized Ankara's initiative.

As the Taliban spokesman Suhail Shahin told Reuters, Turkey is a NATO member, therefore, it must adhere to the terms of the agreement signed by the Taliban with the United States, and the Turkish armed forces must leave Afghanistan.

"Over the past twenty years, Turkey has been part of the NATO forces, therefore, based on the agreement we signed with the United States on February 29, 2020, Ankara must withdraw its troops from Afghanistan," he said.

After leaving the country of the American military contingent, the Taliban expects to return to power in Afghanistan and build partnerships with regional powers.

Therefore, in the future, he hopes for mutual understanding with Turkey.

In his statement, Suhail Shahin called the republic "a great Islamic country" and recalled the long-standing Afghan-Turkish relations.

"After the establishment of a

new Islamic government

in the country (in Afghanistan. -

RT

), we hope that we will be able to maintain

close and warm relations

with it (Turkey. -

RT

)," he added.

The position of the Taliban did not surprise the experts.

“This statement is nothing new.

The Taliban are categorically against any form of intervention, no matter who it comes from, ”Yuri Mavashev explained.

Recall that at the end of February 2020, the Donald Trump administration and the Taliban signed a deal.

According to the document, the United States pledged to withdraw its contingent from Afghanistan, provided that the Taliban would not use the country's territory for actions that could pose a threat to the security of America and its allies.

Initially, it was about the withdrawal of troops in 14 months, but the Joe Biden administration extended this period until September 11, 2021.

Thus, the longest overseas military campaign in US history should end on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

At the same time, although the coalition led by the United States succeeded in overthrowing the Taliban government, the movement retained enormous influence in the country: according to Russian diplomats, by the time the agreement was signed, the Taliban controlled at least 50% of Afghan territories.

According to Andrey Kazantsev, director of the MGIMO Analytical Center, the Joe Biden administration did not begin to revise the deal concluded by Trump with the Taliban, since Central Asia is no longer in the focus of American foreign policy.

  • US-led coalition operation in Afghanistan

  • Reuters

  • © US Air Force / Tech.

    Sgt.

    Gregory brook

“The Biden administration is returning to the course of Barack Obama - it is about focusing all efforts on the Indo-Pacific region.

At the same time, activity in other regions, including Central Asia, is planned to be cut.

However, the United States is not interested in the country's official government collapsing immediately after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

Therefore, the US should be replaced by forces that will restore order instead.

And cooperation with Turkey would be a solution to many problems, ”the expert explained in a comment to RT.

In turn, Yuri Mavashev doubts that, while remaining in the region, Ankara is making concessions to Washington.

“It is unlikely that this is a gesture of goodwill on the part of the Turkish leadership, since Washington would have decided the issue of evacuating its contingent without Turkey anyway.

Ankara just understands that it is quite capable of keeping its military in Afghanistan, and is ready to do it, ”the expert explained.

Regional influence


Ankara's interest in the situation in Afghanistan is based on the long history of Afghan-Turkish relations.

It was Afghanistan at the beginning of the 20th century that became one of the first countries to recognize the young Turkish Republic.

For its part, Ankara provided humanitarian and technical assistance to Afghanistan almost until the mid-1960s, as well as helped in the field of medical, legal and military education.

After 2001, Turkey continued to provide assistance to Afghanistan as part of its foreign policy.

Thus, according to UN Security Council Resolution No. 1386 of December 20, 2001, Ankara joined the established International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

At the same time, the Turkish side put forward a condition that its military will not take part in military operations.

Thanks to this, not a single Afghan citizen was killed at the hands of Turkish soldiers.

Turkish activity was limited and Kabul and its environs were territorially - the Turkish responsibility zone.

In addition, in 2006, at the request of the President of Afghanistan (then this post was held by Hamid Karzai), Turkey formed its own KVP - a provincial reconstruction team in the republic.

  • Kabul airport

  • globallookpress.com

  • © Mohammad Jawad

At the same time, Turkey did not forget about its interests, developing business cooperation with Afghanistan.

For example, as of autumn 2015, 127 Turkish companies were registered in the country, most of which were engaged in construction.

As Andrei Kazantsev explained, now Ankara is trying to pursue an expansionist policy, especially in Central Asia, where the Turkic-speaking countries are located.

“Turkey is trying to find points where it could easily expand its foreign policy influence.

In addition, Turkey is now having a difficult relationship with its NATO partners, and the Turkish leadership is looking for an opportunity to show its usefulness to the United States, ”the expert said.

Recall that the decision of the Turkish authorities to purchase the S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia caused serious discontent in Washington.

Turkey was even excluded from the F-35 fifth generation fighter program, although Turkish companies have participated in it since 2002 and supplied components.

However, despite pressure from the United States, the Turkish side did not abandon the Russian air defense systems.

According to Andrei Kazantsev, Ankara's plans are welcomed by official Kabul, but not approved by the Taliban movement, which is aimed at overthrowing the current government.

“It is still difficult to say whether Washington and Ankara will be able to implement this plan and leave the Turkish forces in Afghanistan.

There is a risk that in this case, Turkey will have to face the Taliban and enter into an armed conflict with them.

And, most likely, if the Turkish military is present in Kabul in earnest, and not just as a temporary guard, they will use the support of some forces inside Afghanistan.

Moreover, Turkey previously had close contacts, for example, with the local Uzbek community, ”the expert said.

In turn, Yuri Mavashev recalled that Afghanistan has always been of particular importance for Turkey.

“The country that has the 'keys' to Afghanistan gets access to South and Central Asia.

And Turkey's motives are the same as always: domination, an attempt to become a regional center of power.

Yes, the preservation of Turkish forces in Kabul is beneficial to the United States - Washington and NATO will retain the ability to at least somehow control the situation.

At least that's what the White House thinks.

In practice, Turkey will play its own game, ”the expert summed up.

* "Taliban" - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.