Dhaka, July 9 -- There is speculation in regional media that one reason why the US chose rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan is the hope that it will cause problems for China. There is expectation that a Taliban takeover will inspire anti-China Islamic extremists to launch attacks against it and that will deeply derail Chinese economic plans.

Troubling days ahead are possible. China had expressed concern in May when an explosion killed at least sixty including schoolgirls. China blames the US for the instability there and has said the withdrawal "should be responsible". China may be worried, says speculations that several extremist groups including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) may gear up particularly in the already unsettled...