Afghanistan Updates

By Mehlaqa Samdani

An article in the LA Times reported that, while the Obama administration is wrestling with the notion of sending additional troops to Afghanistan, NATO’s Secretary-General, Anders Rasmussen, voiced support for the need for an expanded allied troop presence in Afghanistan. At a time when members of the alliance are considering troop reduction and withdrawal, Ramussen’s endorsement of General McChrystal’s assessment is considered critical.
 
While NATO’s expanding role has traditionally raised tensions with Russia, there is a growing consensus in the Russian press that NATO and US success in Afghanistan is essential for Russian stability.With the specter of Islamic extremism spilling over to Central Asia a real threat, Russia is increasingly fearful of NATO’s premature withdrawal from Afghanistan. This might explain Russia permitting its airspace to be used for transporting supplies to Afghanistan without charging a transit fee, “saving the Pentagon an estimated $133 million a year" reported an article in Eurasianet.org.
 
Eurasia.org also reported that, in the meanwhile, the US military is taking no chances with respect to the spread of militancy in Central Asia and is planning the deployment of Special Forces.  Once stationed, the 3rd Special Forces Group will “conduct "foreign internal defense" missions -- military shorthand for counter-insurgency operations fought by host nation troops with training and other forms of assistance provided by Washington.”
 
In addition Eurasia.org reported that Russia, with all other Central Asian States except Turkmenistan, is engaged in Operation Milestones of the Fatherland-2009—a concerted effort to stop the tide of militancy through increased regional border cooperation.  In recent months, militant activity has intensified in the otherwise peaceful northern part of Afghanistan, attracted primarily due to the Northern Distribution Network – “an American-led initiative to funnel supplies destined for Afghanistan via Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan."

Flick photo by the U.S. Army used under a Creative Commons License.