Shanghai Organization gazes towards Afghanistan + Massive reforestation

The hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan is having an almost physical effect on the balance of power in Asia. The vacuum left by the Western alliance is now being filled by other players. Today, our author Michael Radunski takes a look at a lesser-known player that is currently gaining status as a result of US actions: the Shanghai Organization, launched by China. Their membership list reads like a recital of Afghanistan’s neighbors. This makes them particularly affected by the shift in power. But they can also be particularly successful in this crisis – if they play their cards right. And who will benefit the most in terms of foreign policy? Take an educated guess.

China is also proving itself to be particularly actionable in other areas as well. The reforestation of the tree population lost over the centuries is a prestigious project of the communist government. This monumental endeavor has several beneficial effects on the environment. Locally, it reduces droughts and sandstorms. Globally, newly planted trees counteract the greenhouse effect. Again, while not everything is going perfectly – and the project has experienced a learning curve over the decades – the central government’s creative power is clearly working towards a just cause.

Meanwhile, our EU correspondent Amelie Richter is annoyed by the chaotic communication style in Brussels. The Commission was supposed to present its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on Tuesday. Unofficially, it is the answer to China’s sprawling territorial claims in the region. But now it was rescheduled for Thursday. Apparently, the finishing touches are still being applied.

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Finn Mayer-Kuckuk