Radio Azadi Listeners Inside Afghanistan Weigh In On Trump Win
By Kian Sharifi
In Afghanistan, Trump is widely known for signing a deal that paved the way for the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Radio Azadi listeners in Afghanistan are split over what Trump’s second stint in the White House will mean for their country.
Abdullah, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said he hoped that Trump will pursue policies “that will have an effect on Afghanistan’s peace and security.”
But Sakhi Jan, also a Kabul resident, said he was worried that Trump will start a war with Afghanistan to reclaim the Bagram Air Base, which was used for military planning by U.S. forces for two decades until the August 2021 pullout.
“I can’t say [Trump’s return] is good for Afghanistan,” he added.
Trump has publicly talked about his desire to get Bagram back. During a campaign speech in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in November 2023, Trump floated the idea of reclaiming the air base as part of a trade deal with the Taliban.
“Give us back that damn airport,” he demanded.
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev congratulates Trump:
"President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev has sent congratulations to Donald Trump on the occasion of his convincing victory in the U.S. presidential election.
"The Head of State expressed confidence in the progressive development of bilateral cooperation in the field of security, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and investment.
"The President of Kazakhstan wished Donald Trump successful work for the benefit of the prosperity of the American people, ensuring global stability and security.
Afghan men in a Kabul restaurant watch a television broadcast of Donald Trump's victory speech:
'Happy Victory, Mr. President!': A banner in Serbian congratulating Donald Trump on his U.S. election victory, in North Mitrovica:
Listeners from Afghanistan call in to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi:
Listener 1: “Trump becoming president does not change anything for Afghanistan and does not affect the situation here. Trump being president cannot affect the government of the Taliban at all.”
Listener 2: “Trump becoming president will result in the creation of an inclusive government or the Taliban’s government will fall. This is a hope for those people who have worked in the previous government, those who have left the country [fearing for their lives], and those women and girls who can’t go to school or work. This is a good news.”
Listener 3: “I think Trump is very serious in what he does. He might pressure the Taliban and as a result the Taliban might change their policies in Afghanistan. I think the Taliban will be held under pressure for women's rights and an inclusive government.“
Listener 4: “Trump had made some agreements with the Taliban in Doha. The first thing should be that he should answer for what the Taliban is doing in Afghanistan. The Taliban had promised in the agreement that they would respect human rights [and the] media will be active, but none of those things happened here. Secondly, he has expressed views on the Bagram air base. I think the Taliban will make another agreement about this.”
Russians on the street, speaking to Reuters, say they don't believe the reelection of Donald Trump as U.S. president will change their lives, the economy, or the war in Ukraine:
'Viktor Orban could be Trump's peace missionary'
An article from RFE/RL's Hungarian Service quotes foreign policy expert Botond Feledy as saying he believes it is easily possible that Donald Trump's first trip to Europe will lead to Budapest and that Viktor Orban will visit Moscow as his peace missionary on his planned new "peace mission."
Hungarian left-wing Szikra Mozgalom MP András Jámbor comments on the election result:
"This must be the end of identity politics in the Democratic Party. We in Europe must learn the same lesson: No one will vote left out of goodwill. They will not vote left because we say that we are not racist and homophobic and that we speak properly. That should be the basis of our policy, but it is not enough.
"They will vote here if we care about the people, their lives. Political identity cannot be a politician telling us from above what is right and wrong, but identity can only be that we are one and therefore we know together what is wrong and what is right. Fascism, as in this campaign, is not enough. We need an offer instead of fascism."
Kyrgyz lawmaker Janar Akaev of the Alliance party, speaking to RFE/RL:
"It’s unlikely that the core values in the United States will change significantly with a change in leadership. The system in the U.S. operates independently of any single individual. In Kyrgyzstan, one person can come to power and alter the system of governance or even change the constitution. But in the U.S., state institutions are designed to function independently, and fundamental values such as democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech will endure.
"Some citizens of Kyrgyzstan are concerned that following Trump's election, there may be stricter immigration policies, making it more difficult to obtain a visa. However, in my view, this won’t have a significant impact on those issues."
Valentina Matvienko, the chairwoman of Russia's upper house, the Federation Council:
"The numbers in the U.S. presidential election are convincing; this is a clear demonstration of protest against the current government's policies. There is not much to expect from Trump's return to power, but Russia is open to cooperation. Russia is ready to discuss global security issues."