The Accelerated Military Withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan and its Turn to East Asia: Changing the Path of Forced and Political Hegemony
top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Law and Humanities
Quarterly Reviews

ISSN 2827-9735

Judge Gavel
 Scales of Justice
City Crowds
People in Library
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 09 February 2024

The Accelerated Military Withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan and its Turn to East Asia: Changing the Path of Forced and Political Hegemony

Muaiyid Rasooli, Mohammad Ekram Yawar, Muhammad Qasim Shaiq

Xi’an Jiaotong, Akdeniz University, Balkh University

asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1996.03.01.105

Pages: 82-96

Keywords: Afghanistan, China, United States, Demilitarization, Forced Hegemonic Path

Abstract

In continuation of Obama and Trump's strategy, Joe Biden's government considered America's withdrawal from Afghanistan as one of its foreign policy priorities and quickly withdrew the country's soldiers from Afghanistan by September 2021. The objective of this article is to analyze the worldwide strategy of the United States in leaving Afghanistan and the strategic turn to East Asia. This article answers the question with a descriptive-analytical method, why did America end its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan after bearing large financial and military costs? In response to the mentioned question, this hypothesis has been proposed that "the rise of China's economic and military power in the shadow of the transfer of global security responsibility to America poses an unprecedented threat to America's perceived global hegemony and the international order." Hence, from the American decision-makers perspective, the withdrawal of the military forces of this country from Afghanistan is a strategic opportunity to move to East Asia and create a new coalition in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of control. "The most significant finding of the research is that, in order to maintain its hegemonic position against China's threat, the United States is trying to divide the huge burden of global security responsibility among its partners, using a forced hegemonic strategy with a focus on East Asia. The method of data collection was library and using specialized magazines and reliable internet resources.

References

Jamshidi, Mohammad., and Yazdhanshanas, Zakiyeh. (2020) The strategy of pivoting to Asia; China's rise and America's national security policy in East Asia. Journal of Political Science, 91-116, (1) 16 http://tinyurl.com/yfdm7dsh
Hamidi, Samiya, Mazdkhovah, Ehsan, and Zanganeh, Piman (2021) America and its reconciliation strategy Afghanistan; From Kaari Neoconservatism to Neo-Hamiltonism. Journal of international relations studies, 59-59, (4) 14, 29.http://tinyurl.com/mrxadb69
Ramzanipour Shlamani, Javad, and Hedaitishehdani, Mehdi. (2018) United States attitude towards The continuation of China's economic-military development (a case study of Donald Trump's presidency). Journal of International Studies, 16 (2) 71-97.http://tinyurl.com/4p74pnjv
Soleimani Porlak, Fatemeh. (2021) America's withdrawal from Afghanistan; Rebalancing strategy reflection. Handbook of political and international approaches. 258-233, (2) 13 http://tinyurl.com/4bxe6dkz
Qulizadeh, Ali, Mirnazmi, Sidreza. (2022) An applied study of China's road and belt innovation with a design America's Marshall and the Soviet Molov Plan, International Studies Quarterly, 7-29, 19(2),http://tinyurl.com/374v23hh
Wallerstein, Emanuel. (2014) The geopolitical situation of the United States from 1945: from hegemony to the decline of the Can be returned. Center for Strategic Studies, Farvardin,http://tinyurl.com/3axxvu6w
Ayesha, Z. (2022). US–China Tit-for-Tat Politics in the Asia-Pacific.Journal of IndoPcific Affairs, Feb, At: https://media.defense.gov/2022/Feb/15/2002939154/-1/-1/1/JIPA%20-%20ZAFAR%20-%20FEB%2022.PDF
Ceber .(2022). Chosun Ilbo – China’s Economy Could Overtake U.S. Economy by 2030. Jan 5, At: http://tinyurl.com/mrx653t2
Chapman, B. (2022). The Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) Nuclear Submarine Agreement: Potential Implications. FORCES Initiative: Strategy, Security, and Social Systems, At: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=forces
Clark, I. (2011). Hegemony in International Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Crawford, Neta C., Lutz, C. (2021). Human and Budgetary Costs to Date of the U.S. War in Afghanistan. Watson Institute, Aug 25, At: https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2021/Human%20and%20Budgetary%20Costs%20of%20Afghan%20War%2C%202001-2022.pdf
Fettweis, C.J., (2017). Unipolarity, Hegemony, and the New Peace. Security Studies, 26(3).
Gale, A.,Wang, J., Norma, L. (2021) U.S. Tightens Focus on China After Afghanistan Withdrawal. Wall Street Journal, Aug. 19, At: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-stightens-focus-on-china-after-afghanistan-withdrawal-11629378244
Marchetti, R. (2017). End of the American hegemonic cycle. Open Democracy, 14 February, At:https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/end-of-american-hegemonic-cycle
Mastanduno, M. (2019). Liberal hegemony, international order, and US foreign policy: A reconsideration. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 21(1), At:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1369148118791961
National Intelligence Council. (2012). Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds,https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/GlobalTrends_2030.pdf
NATO. (2019). NATO Secretary General announces increased defence spending by Allies. Nov 29, At:https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_171458.htm
Panda, J. Swanstrom, N. (2021). AUKUS: Resetting European Thinking on Indo-Pacific? Institute for Security & Development Policy, At:
https://isdp.eu/content/uploads/2021/10/AUKUS-Resetting-European-Thinking-on-the-Indo-Pacific-9.11.21.pdf
Paul, C. et.al.. (2021). A Guide to Extreme Competition with China. RAND National Security Research Division, At: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1300/RRA1378-1/RAND_RRA1378-1.pdf
Rahman, M. (2018). The US State-building in Afghanistan: An Offshore Balance?Jadavpur Journal of International Relations, 23(1).
Schubert, J. (2004). Hegemonic Stability Theory: The Rise and Fall of the US-Leadership in World Economic Relations. Munich, GRIN Verlag Publishing, At: https://www.grin.com/document/22451
Schutte, G.R. (2021). The challenge to US hegemony and the “Gilpin Dilemma. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional, 64(1), DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7329202100104
Scrmp. (2022). How much is China’s foreign direct investment and is it still a good destination for overseas investors? 10 Jan,available at: https://www.scmp.com/economy/economicindicators/article/3181037/how-much-chinas-foreign-direct-investment-and-it-still
SIPRI. (2021). Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2020. April, At: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/fs_2104_milex_0.pdf
SIPRI. (2022). Trend in Wprld Military Expenditure,2021. April, At: https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/202204/fs_2204_milex_2021_0.pdf
State.gov. (2020). Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan. February 29, at: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Agreement-For-Bringing-Peace-to-Afghanistan-02.29.20.pdf
Statista. (2022). Gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices in China from 1985 to 2021 with forecasts until 2027. Oct 27, At: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263770/gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-china/
Statista. (2022). Gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States at current prices from 1987 to 2027. Jun 21, At:https://www.statista.com/statistics/263591/gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states/
Statista. (2021). Value of export of goods from China from 2010 to 2020. Jul 9, At: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263661/export-of-goods-from-china/
Stokes, D., (2018). “Trump, American hegemony and the future of the liberal international order”, International Affairs, 9(1), At: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/31821/Liberal%20Order%20IA.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
THEME. (2019). The end of the fourth Hegemonic Cycle. No. 218, Oct 14, At:https://freedomlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Macroscope-NO-218-The-end-of-the-fourth-Hegemonic-Cycle.pd
Unctad. (2021). Global Foreign Direct Investment Fell by 42% in 2020, Outlook Eemains Weak. Jan 24, At: https://unctad.org/news/global-foreign-direct-investment-fell-42-2020-outlook-remains-weak
USIP. (2018). Providing for the Common Defense (the Assessment and Recommendations of the National Defense Strategy Commission. At:
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2018-11/providing-for-the-common-defense.pdf
Walt, S. (2019). Everyone Knows America Lost Afghanistan Long Ago. Foreign Policy, 16 Dec, At: https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/16/everyone-knows-america-lost-afghanistan-long-ago/
Washington Post. (2021). Biden’s claim that nation-building in Afghanistan ‘never made any sense to me’. Aug 18, At:https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/23/bidens-claim-that-nation-building-afghanistan-never-made-any-sense/
World Bank (2021). Military expenditure (% of GDP) – China.at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=CN
WTO. (2015). International Trade Statistics 2015. At: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2015_e/its2015_e.pdf
Arredondas, M. (2021) .US looks to Asia-Pacific region after Afghanistan withdrawal .Atalayar, Aug23, at: https://atalayar.com/en/content/us-looks-asia-pacific-region-after-afghanistan-withdrawal
Ayesha, Z. (2022). US–China Tit-for-Tat Politics in the Asia-Pacific. Journal of IndoPcific Affairs, Feb, at: https://media.defense.gov/2022/Feb/15/2002939154/-1/-1/1/JIPA%20-%20ZAFAR%20-%20FEB%2022.PDF
Ceber .(2022).Chosun Ilbo – China’s Economy Could Overtake U.S. Economy by 2030. Jan 5, at: https://cebr.com/reports/chosun-ilbo-chinas-economy-could-overtake-u-s-economy-by-2030/
Chapman, B. (2022). The Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) Nuclear Submarine Agreement: Potential Implications. FORCES Initiative: Strategy, Security, and Social Systems, at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=forces
Clark, I. (2011). Hegemony in International Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Crawford, Neta C., Lutz, C. (2021). Human and Budgetary Costs to Date of the U.S. War in Afghanistan. Watson Institute, Aug 25, At: https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2021/Human%20and%20Budgetary%20Costs%20of%20Afghan%20War%2C%202001-2022.pdf
Farahmand, M., Motaghi, A., Mirkoshesh, A. (2021). anUS-China Hegemonic Rivalry and Its Impact on World Energy and Oil Flows. International Studies Journal, 18(1), 103-120. (In Persian)
Fettweis, C.J. (2017). Unipolarity, Hegemony, and the New Peace. Security Studies, 26(3).
Gale, A.,Wang, J., Norma, L. (2021) U.S. Tightens Focus on China After Afghanistan Withdrawal. Wall Street Journal, Aug. 19, At: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-tightens-focus-on-china-after-afghanistan-withdrawal-116293
Gen, LT., Mills, R.P., Davidson, E. (2021). How the Afghan withdrawal impacts USChina competition. Defence News, Sep17, At:https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/09/17/how-the-afghan-withdrawal-impacts-us-china-competition/
Gholizadeh, A., Mirnezami, S.R. (2023). A comparative study of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the US Marshall Plan and the Soviet Molotov Plan (CMEA).International Studies Journal, 19(2), 7-29. (In Persian)
Hamidi, S., Mozdkhah, E., Zangane, P. (2022). US and Afghanistan Peace-building Strategy; from neo-Conservatism to neo-Hamiltonism, Research Letter of International Relations, 14(4). (In Persian)
Jamshidi, M., Yazdanshenash, Z. (2020). Piovt to Asia: China and US national security policy in Asia. Political Knowledge, 16(1). (In Persian)
Marchetti, R. (2017). End of the American hegemonic cycle. Open Democracy, 14 February, At: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/end-of-american-hegemonic-cycle/
Mastanduno, M. (2019). Liberal hegemony, international order, and US foreign policy: A reconsideration. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 21(1), At: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1369148118791961
National Intelligence Council. (2012). Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds,https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/GlobalTrends_2030.pdf
NATO. (2019). NATO Secretary General announces increased defence spending by Allies. Nov 29, At: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_171458.htm
Panda, J. Swanstrom, N. (2021). AUKUS: Resetting European Thinking on Indo-Pacific? Institute for Security & Development Policy, At:
https://isdp.eu/content/uploads/2021/10/AUKUS-Resetting-European-Thinking-on-the-Indo-Pacific-9.11.21.pd
Paul, C. et.al.. (2021). A Guide to Extreme Competition with China. RAND National Security Research Division, at:
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1300/RRA1378-1/RAND_RRA1378-1.pdf
Rahman, M. (2018). The US State-building in Afghanistan: An Offshore Balance?Jadavpur Journal of International Relations, 23(1)
Ramezanpour Shalmani, J., Hedayati Shahidani, M. (2019). U.S. approach to China's Continued Economic-Military Development (Case Study: Donald Trump Presidency). International Studies Journal, 16(2), 69-89. (In Persian)
Rosse, R., Gamso, J., Nelson, R.C (2021). China’s Rise, World Order, and the Implications for International Business. Manag Int Rev, 61(1), https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-020-00433-8
Schubert, J. (2004). Hegemonic Stability Theory: The Rise and Fall of the US-Leadership in World Economic Relations. Munich, At: GRIN Verlag Publishing, https://www.grin.com/document/22451
Schutte, G.R. (2021). The challenge to US hegemony and the “Gilpin Dilemma. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional, 64(1), DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7329202100104
Scrmp. (2022). How much is China’s foreign direct investment and is it still a good destination for overseas investors? 10 Jan,available at: https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3181037/how-much-chinas-foreign-direct-investment-and-it-stil
SIPRI. (2021). Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2020. April, At:https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/fs_2104_milex_0.pdf
SIPRI. (2022). Trend in Wprld Military Expenditure,2021. April, At: https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/fs_2204_milex_2021_0.pdf
Soleimani Pourlak, F. (2022). US withdrawal from Afghanistan; Reflection of Rebalancing Strategy. Political and International Approaches, 13(2). (In Persian)
State.gov. (2020). Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan. February 29, at: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Agreement-For-Bringing-Peace-to-Afghanistan-02.29.20.pdf
Statista. (2022). Gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices in China from 1985 to 2021 with forecasts until 2027. Oct 27, At: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263770/gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-china/
Statista. (2022). Gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States at current prices from 1987 to 2027. Jun 21, At:https://www.statista.com/statistics/263591/gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states/
Statista. (2021). Value of export of goods from China from 2010 to 2020. Jul 9, At: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263661/export-of-goods-from-china/
Stokes, D., (2018). “Trump, American hegemony and the future of the liberal international order”, International Affairs, 9(1), At: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/31821/Liberal%20Order%20IA.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
THEME. (2019). The end of the fourth Hegemonic Cycle. No. 218, Oct 14, At:https://freedomlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Macroscope-NO-218-The-end-of-the-fourth-Hegemonic-Cycle.pdf
Unctad. (2021). Global Foreign Direct Investment Fell by 42% in 2020, Outlook Eemains Weak. Jan 24, At: https://unctad.org/news/global-foreign-direct-investmentfell-42-2020-outlook-remains-weak
USIP. (2018). Providing for the Common Defense (the Assessment and Recommendations of the National Defense Strategy Commission. At:https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2018-11/providing-for-the-common-defense.pdf
Wallerstein, E. (2014). US Geopolitical Situation since 1945: From Hegemony to Irreversible Decline. Center for Strategic Studies, April. (In Persian)
Walt, S. (2019). Everyone Knows America Lost Afghanistan Long Ago. Foreign Policy, 16 Dec, At: https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/16/everyone-knows-america-lost-afghanistan-long-ago/
Washington Post. (2021). Biden’s claim that nation-building in Afghanistan ‘never made any sense to me’. Aug 18, At: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/23/bidens-claim-that-nation-building-afghanistan-never-made-any-sense
World Bank (2021). Military expenditure (% of GDP) – China.at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=CN
WTO. (2015). International Trade Statistics 2015. At: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2015_e/its2015_e.pdf
Yousafzai, Z. (2022). The troubled triangle: U.S.-Pakistan relations under the Taliban’s shadow. NY: Routledge.

bottom of page