I too recall the Northern Alliance sudden appearance in uniforms and colums of tanks. There was a briefing in London at the time of this huge aid package, which I suspect "Uncle Sam" paid for. For profile reasons the aid did not cross the established frontier bridge(s), but a pontoon bridge built down river and out of sight.

When the US & Northern Alliance were established in Kabul, amongst the allies arriving to help was a Russain military hospital - as I recall - which was at Bagram AFB. Until today I've not looked on the web to see whether it stayed long. Pretty sure the Russians are not in ISAF.

Long ago in another thread I commented on the Indian support for the Northern Alliance (artillery and other advisers).

So this armed diplomacy is not new and just 'The Great Game' once more.

davidbfpo