Afghan Exit Eases U.S. Pivot to Iran and China.

“It is possible for the U.S. and Iran to somewhat normalize relations, and that would be a gigantic event in geopolitics,” he said, although he noted that the window for detente is narrowing in the intermediate-term.

Afghan Exit Eases U.S. Pivot to Iran and China. What That Means for Currencies, Crude.

Randall W. Forsyth

Aug. 18, 2021, 12:43 pm ET- Barrons

Bad news first, good news later. That’s how Matt Gertken, BCA Research’s head of geopolitical strategy, sees the effects of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

After the depressing images of the chaos in Kabul fade, U.S. foreign policy will be able to proceed to theaters of greater strategic importance. “We’re at a critical juncture with Iran,” Gertken said in a recent telephone interview with Barron’s.

The U.S. will also gain “greater maneuverability” in dealing with China, its main geopolitical and economic rival, he added.

These are key points to emphasize in looking ahead, he said, rather than dwelling on comparisons of the U.S. retreat from Kabul with our exit from Saigon in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam war or playing the blame game about the stunningly swift collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government.