What Pakistan, China and Russia want to do after US withdrawal?

 The recent paper by NATO Defense College in Rome offers crucial insight on the end goals of regional powers in Afghanistan:

 

1. Pakistan wants an interim government to replace President Ghani’s administration and is pushing the Taliban for concessions to make a political deal. The group would have a significant role, but in coalition with other political forces.

2. Russia – and probably China – also support replacing Ghani with a more inclusive interim government in which the Taliban play a role, but are balanced by non-Taliban power brokers.

3. India remains opposed to an interim government, fearing it will lead to a Taliban takeover and embed Pakistan’s influence – but they are not ready to back the Ghani administration with military support.

4. Iran has opposed an interim government in the past, fearing Taliban dominance, but may be willing to accept a power-sharing arrangement if its interests are protected.

5. Central Asian states will support a political solution that respects the interests of their northern Afghan partners and stabilizes border regions.

In short, Pakistan, Iran, China, Russia and Central Asian States are more or less on the same page. They want an inclusive govt which includes the Afghan Taliban in the power sharing formula along with other political forces.