China’s View of South Asia and the Indian Ocean

[Dayuhan]

That's not the question to ask. The question to ask is what is there for China to harvest in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East? And the answer that is - a lot. Afghanistan can be a spoiler in any of those endeavors.

No empire actually wants to go into Afghanistan, but they are forced into doing so in pursuit of greater objectives.

Agree with Ken. Afghanistan has little or no bearing on Chinese engagement in Central Asia and South Asia and none on the Middle East. There's no incentive for China to go in and every reason to stay out.

There are many better ways to attain objectives than by stirring up folks who live in mountains. That is always a bad idea.

Bein' one of them folks who live in the mountains, I have to agree...