As the United States shifts its strategy in Afghanistan towards combating opium production and the financing of terrorist organizations, I cannot help but consider the environmental security implications of such a strategy. Likewise, I am intrigued by the idea of increasing U.S. and Chinese military relations through joint efforts and planning for environmental security issues. However, as only so much cooperation can result from simply planning, why not ask the Chinese government to send some military personnel or officials to Afghanistan? Though I know it sounds improbable at face value, the mission facing the United States is revolutionizing the Afghan agricultural system, or at least returning it to its status during the 1970s.
China has historically been able to sustain its immense population (as well as save some crops for export) on small amounts of arable land. The Chinese use of policies such as the Family Production Responsibility System, while not perfect, may hold the incentives and prosperity needed to wean Afghan farmers off of their dependency on Poppy production. China also has a vested interest in anti-terrorist actions, especially given their constant struggle with Islamic extremists in Xinjiang . Though links between Al-Qaeda and Uighur separatists have been stipulated but largely unsubstantiated, it is only a matter of time until the relationship becomes far more real. Furthermore, by extending international cooperation in Afghanistan beyond NATO members and to China, the United States may find unexpected Chinese support in places like Africa. Lessening tensions between China and the United States could bolster AFRICOMM’s mission, and in so doing ease the current resource competition between the United States and China in Africa while adding visibility to Chinese actions (or lack thereof) in places such as Darfur.
Though there are undoubtedly many logistical issues (numbers, roles, security measures, etc…), increased cooperation with the Chinese in a real and tangible way may yield an outcome well worth the effort. By placing environmental security at the forefront of anti-terrorism perhaps the world’s major powers can find a way to reach out to disenfranchised populations around the globe.