There is an alternative - look West?
Behind the headlines that Pakistan has opened the Afghan crossing points to NATO truck movements an unusual mention of the option few talk about - using Iran.
A commentary on the opening and Pakistan's use of the valve:http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensec...-10-12%2005:30
The commentary that refers to using Iran:http://www.opendemocracy.net/neil-pa...ghan-stability
Two paragraphs:
Quote:
Today the Afghan campaign is reliant on Pakistan’s transit routes, which are subject to repeated attack, and the US allegedly has “no alternatives” to dealing with the anti-ISAF forces in Pakistan on their own terms. A transport link through Iran would reduce this western vulnerability, giving ISAF a freer hand to hold Pakistan accountable, while easing Islamabad’s own security burden and forcing the Pakistani military to take serious action.
Greater coordination with Tehran would also help bring the western Afghan warlords in Iran’s sphere of influence into the political process, counter Sunni extremists like the Taliban, manage Afghan opium cultivation (of which Iran is the greatest victim), and open up a secure trade and transport route to Central Asia – not to mention stabilize Iraq and the Gulf. Though Washington sees Iran through the lens of Israel, Tehran may be a lynchpin to a stable Afghanistan, a prospect that’s otherwise looking bleak.
Many links within the article - which I have not followed.
I suspect that some European NATO members already use the Iranian route, which IIRC has a rail link to the city near Herat.
Of course there are alternatives ...
Davidbfpo,
I appreciate your following this issue. Like me, you have been interested in it for a while.
But the commentary is flawed. Of course we have alternatives. Easy? No. It would require work. Cheap? No. It would require financing. Serenely safe? Probably not. It would require some amount of guarding. But of course, these issues aren't so troublesome now that they can be compared to the same thing through Pakistan.
Bold? Sure. It would be right in the Russian's back yard. And maybe this would be one advantage of it, along with saving Georgia from the next Russian invasion (to get to their bases in Armenia).
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/...-the-caucasus/
If only we had started this process 18 months ago like I recommended, and if only they had listened to me 2.5 years ago when I told them exactly what the enemy strategy would be (attacking international and local lines of logistics).
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2008/...d-afghanistan/
I don't mean to preen, but it's all out in front of them. All of the warnings were issued. It's too late for them to complain about it now. It could have been different but they chose the current course.
There is an alternative - look South West?
A small snippet:
Quote:
Zaranj is a desert border town of around 100,000 people just across the border from Milak Iran. The Indian Government’s Border Roads Organization just completed a modern hard top road from Zaranj to the ring road and the city of Delaram. That means there is now a modern hard ball road direct from the deep water port of Chabahar, Iran to the ring road of Afghanistan and beyond. That route could prove significant to somebody at some point in the future. For now it is hard to capitalize on having a modern route to a large seaport given that the run from Nimroz to Kabul is 500 kilometer ambush alley for truckers.
Link:http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=3708
Map:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaranj
This road has been open since January 2009, apart from the Indians who else uses it?
US finds new friend in Uzbekistan after Pakistan fallout
A short article on the relationships and a few snippets:
Quote:
..more than a third of supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan pass through Pakistan...the Northern Distribution Network...has already become more important in the past year as the US began switching supplies from Pakistan's roads.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...n-fallout.html
The tale of the small railway bridge, with a big impact
Almost my "pet" subject the logistical aspect of campaigning in Afghanistan.
First check the map to orientate:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRMgPKI_AE...fghanistan.jpg
Which accompanies this FP Blog commentary looking at the northern route (NDN) and the Byzantine local politics:http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article...o_ndn?page=0,0
With a fascinating tale of the railway bridge that was blown up and a close-in map here:http://www.fergananews.com/news.php?id=17660&mode=snews
I had not realised that Turkmenistan is neutral in Afghan matters and so not part to the NDN. A curious stance for a neighbour to take, so I might have a peek as to why, unless readers know.
Afghanistan opens first ever train route
Quote:
Afghanistan has opened its first ever major railway route, paving the way for an alternative supply route for Nato troops after the crippling breakdown of relations with Pakistan.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ain-route.html
The educational model of social change, as effective as always!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carl
Is there any earthly good the Pak Army/ISI is doing us? (The foregoing is a rhetorical question.)
If nothing else, the decade in AfPak will surely be the last time the United States Government convinces itself that a self-interested and morally compromised cabal will develop a respect for TJATAW if they receive talking–tos about the importance of transparency in governance and respect for human rights every time the blank check is handed over. :rolleyes:
UK begins preparations for Afghanistan withdrawal
Opens with:
Quote:
Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, signed a new defence co-operation agreement with Kazakhstan which the British Government hopes will enable an estimated £4 billion of equipment – including tanks and armoured personnel carriers – to be shipped out of northern Afghanistan.
Later this sentence struck me as, well, odd:
Quote:
The Taliban have made clear that their guidance to Taliban fighters is not to attack Nato convoys passing through the north
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ithdrawal.html
Not to overlook that the Pakistani routes remain closed since November, which must surely be a record for the usual "stop & go" practice.
What the Manas, try Ulyanovsk
Undoubtedly Sec. of Defence Leon Panetta's visit to the region led to these two NYT stories, but I do wonder if someone is adroitly coordinating the diplomatic process.
First:
Quote:
One of Kyrgyzstan’s top defense officials told Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Tuesday that a crucial United States air base (Manas) here should have “no military mission” when its lease expires a little more than two years from now. The request creates a potential hurdle to American plans to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014.
Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/14/wo...html?ref=world
Then:
Quote:
The Kremlin expressed willingness on Wednesday to allow NATO to use an airfield (Ulyanovsk) in the heart of European Russia, in a city best known as Lenin’s birthplace, as a transit center for moving troops and “nonlethal” cargo into Afghanistan.
Some comments by the Russian minister on why the West should remain in Afghanistan too.
Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/wo...nsit.html?_r=1