it's hard to make this argument while not simultaneously tacitly making an argument for us to stay. if this is indeed china's play- why not stay and reap the benes instead?

the chinese are def funding some of the jihadis either directly or indirectly but it's not like that is a new thing in the region. perhaps they are playing both sides of the equation: either force us to stay due to the almost unwinnable situation while they continue to profit or just continually underming whatever we do there for shits and giggles and to rat fuck us good.

i'm not convinced they have a unique longterm strategy there aside from their normal influence peddling and debt and aid traps.