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[centre][i]A conversation between Amir Abdur Rahman Khan and his son, Shahzadah Habibullah Khan[/i][/centre]

“You see, my child, it is through these ‘interventions’, such as the one we see in the Qing Empire to our east, that the Europeans have dominated and subjugated other peoples everywhere,” the Amir, standing on the veranda, surveyed the Kabul night, his intelligent black eyes aware of the darkness. He had heard of cities where the light never went out…

Soon.

“What we see in the lands to our east is just another example of the European hegemony over our world. We cannot, must not, are permitted to do anything, nothing at all, without the permission of our European overlords,” there was bitterness in the Amir’s voice, and his eldest son, Habibullah, who sat and listened could feel that there was a tirade coming on. He respected his father, he loved him too, and yes, like all Afghans, he did fear him, but he listened carefully to his words, and he learnt from this veteran. There was no doubt in Habibullah’s mind that his father was a fine leader and a good example if he wanted to hold onto the nation when his day arrived.

“The Chinese have lived for aeons, content with the religion they have, wayward as it is, and happy with their way of life and traditions, but upon attempting to display their independence and ability to live the way they choose, not the way Europe dictates, they were immediately set upon and utterly crushed – not by a superior way of life or more elevated civilisation, but by brute, savage and unrestrained force. It is not the more refined or elevated culture which achieves glory in this world, but the one which can best destroy others, for that is the only culture and civilisation left,” the Amir turned upon his son, his figure, for all its small stature, rather daunting, his eyes penetrating.

“We, who are so clearly inferior savages, beasts – no, less than beasts – must listen carefully to the words of our master, and must not ever think to disobey. We must not even comprehend that a world where we disobey can exist. Our lands, our people, all that we are, is the property of Europe, and if we ever seek to establish otherwise, we will be crushed just as surely as the Chinese have, remember that.”

The bitter old man, walked past his son and took a seat inside, a morose look in his eyes.

“But, with all due respect, it cannot be that we are so helplessly caught up in this ‘great’, ‘universal’ ‘European conspiracy’ to subjugate us that we can do absolutely nothing. There is always potential for freedom and for the human mind and our free spirit to rise up and establish ourselves in the world without being felled by forces so beyond our power. Are the nations of Europe not nations too? Are they not equally vulnerable to the weaknesses of all nations? They cannot be as mighty and infallible as to subjugate us so completely. That is something I cannot believe, for in that way of thinking is hopelessness and despair and defeat, no?”

The Amir shook his head slowly.

“You misunderstand me, of course there is potential for growth and strength, but we must always remember that should there ever come a time where those in Europe feel threatened – not even threatened, should the whim take them and should they find a good enough excuse, such as the Boxers – they will not hesitate in crushing our nations and returning them to a state of development more suitable to their whims. We are to them as the farm animal is to the farmer, should we ever believe ourselves to be more than cattle, then we will die, we will be slaughtered like cattle, so that all may know that those Europe deems as cattle are nothing more than that, and will be nothing more than that unless they deem it so.”

Habibullah looked glumly towards his father, how could he reconcile the idea that there was potential for growth and strength and freedom with being slaves to a greater, mightier European hegemony? It made no sense.

“Perhaps one day you will understand what I say, and perhaps one day you will see through to a solution. But if you doubt what I say, tell me, what are the Europeans in the Qing Empire for?” the Amir looked towards his son.

“Well, to remove the Boxer threat, of course.” the Shahzadah replied. The Amir smirked.

“Yes, that is what they say, then do tell me, boy, if they are there to remove the Boxers, then what is this new territory of Tartaria we hear about? Is that the removal of the Boxers we have all been expecting?” Habibullah responded with silence, the Amir merely smiled.

“The Europeans will never do something, as they profess, for the sake of decency and humanity and justice and whatever else they spout. In every intervention is a strategic, thought out plan, which will advance their interests and further their goals, and this intervention into the Qing Empire, is nothing more than another of their long cycle of invasions and colonisations of other, sovereign nations. Watch, child, and learn, for those are the rules of their game, and those are the rules you must master.”