Commentary on Political Economy

Thursday 31 December 2020

 

Spies claim China asked mercenaries to attack US troops in Afghanistan

President Trump at Bagram air base in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day in 2019
President Trump at Bagram air base in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day in 2019
OLIVIER DOULIERY/GETTY IMAGES
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The United States is set to accuse China of offering to pay mercenaries to attack American soldiers in Afghanistan after President Trump received an uncorroborated intelligence briefing on the issue, according to reports.

The intelligence dossier handed to Mr Trump by his national security adviser on December 17 is expected to be declassified. According to the Axios website, it claims that Beijing offered bounties to non-state actors, possibly Taliban fighters, to engage US forces.

Chinese officials have yet to respond but the allegations are likely to worsen the already deeply fractured relationship between Washington and Beijing. The two countries have clashed over trade, the outbreak of the coronavirus and China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.

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