The path to peace is still long and tedious, but today Afghans have more reason to be hopeful than ever before.
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The crisis in Afghanistan is deepening and President Ashraf Ghani needs to engage the Taliban.
Or, how Russia got a warm-water port without firing a shot.
The danger is that further fragmentation could be formalised by minority groups calling for a referendum worldwide.
![People glance at the frontpages of Greek newspapers hanging on a kiosk in central Athens, Greece [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/e2ccf50436da400392c7301c9df341f6_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Neighbouring states are questioning China’s ability to treat its Uighur population fairly and halt terrorism.
![Uighur men making their way to the Id Kah mosque for afternoon prayers in Kashgar, in China''s western Xinjiang region [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8f8b20ca3c4b4755be33b631e9397b72_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
If the Afghan civil war worsens, Pakistan’s allies China and the US will lose faith in Islamabad’s intentions.
![A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle adorned with a Taliban flag on a street in Kunduz, Afghanistan [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/4bd636fafc0b4f5fa57970fc61b1de6a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
There are deep tribal, religious and traditional impediments for ISIL to make headway in Afghanistan.
![Afghan Local Police keep watch along the road near a checkpoint, set alight by ISIL fighters during overnight clashes between Afghan forces and ISIL groups, in Nangarhar province [Getty]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/df6dfd4bc8a84f02bb29aa93a56b4a5d_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Battle against extremism can’t be won without a transparent strategy that involves civil society.
Every country in the world believes that a military victory against the Taliban is now impossible.
![China proposed setting up a committee of regional countries to help Ghani talk to the Taliban, writes Rashid [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014111187214734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Can Pakistan’s future be decided by more military-civilian wrestling or is joint action against extremism possible?
![The security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated without much reaction from the government, argues Rashid [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20146193528804580_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)