In the aftermath of the Taliban regainingpower in Afghanistan, a former senior American diplomat has said there is aneed to closely watch China as it is making a move to take over the Bagram airforce base that was controlled by the United States for nearly two decades.
America's former envoy to the United NationsNikki Haley told on Wednesday that it is time that President JoeBiden's administration reaches out to its key friends and allies like India,Japan and Australia and assure them that the US will have their back.
"We need to watch China because I thinkyou are going to see China make a move for Bagram Air Force Base. I think theyare also making a move in Afghanistan and trying to use Pakistan to getstronger to go against India. So, we have got a lot of issues," shesaid.
In July, the US military left Bagram Airfield- its key base in Afghanistan - after nearly 20 years. At its height, Bagrambase was home to tens of thousands of US troops.
"The biggest thing he (Biden) should dois strengthen our allies, strengthen those relationships, modernise ourmilitary, and make sure we are prepared for the cyber-crimes and the terroristcrimes that are headed our way," she said in response to a question.
She said it is time that President Biden'sadministration reaches out to its key friends and allies like India, Japan andAustralia and assure them that the US will have their back.
"The first thing you should do isimmediately start connecting with our allies, whether it's Taiwan, whether it'sUkraine, whether it's Israel, whether it's India, Australia, Japan, all ofthem, and reassure them that we will have their back and that we need them aswell," Ms Haley said.
"Secondly, we need to make sure that weare going on an anti-terrorist effort across the world because we are now goingto see - with this moral victory that the jihadists have, you are going to seea heavy recruitment campaign around the world. You are going to see more lonewolf situations," she added.
Ms Haley slammed Joe Biden for his disastrouswithdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
"By the end of that speech thatPresident Biden gave, it was the beginning of the lame-duck presidency for JoeBiden," she said.
"I mean, he has lost the trust andconfidence of every member of the military and the military families that I'mproud to be a part of. He has lost the trust and confidence of our allies whoare now negotiating without us because they don't know why we are doing whatwe're doing," she said.
Joe Biden, she alleged, has lost the trustand confidence of the American people. "If you look at the fact that thejihadists are celebrating in the streets because America has run out of town –and they left them with billions of dollars' worth of equipment and ammunitionas a housewarming present," she said.