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Thread: Supply routes to Afghanistan

  1. #101
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    China goes beyond Pak, will build rail line to Iran

    This weekend, Beijing will unveil plans to build a new rail corridor that will eventually link China to the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

    Liu Zhijun, China’s railway minister, is landing in Iran on Sunday to clinch an agreement on one important segment of this new Silk Road between the Far East and the Mediterranean, according to news reports from Beijing and Tehran.

    Liu is expected to sign an agreement with Iranian transport minister, Hamid Behbahani, on building a rail line between Tehran and Khosravi on the border with Iraq.

    China goes beyond Pak, will build rail line to Iran - Indian Express
    Note: Very noble intentions of the Chinese.

    But they will build where it helps her to further her hegemonic aims.

    The remainder is to throw the world off the scent!

  2. #102
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    Default India initiates rail route plan through Central Asia

    India initiates rail route plan through Central Asia

    India has taken the lead in what it calls “kickstarting” an “international north-south corridor” from Iran to Russia via Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to ensure a seamless connectivity to Central Asia. New Delhi wants this corridor to be operational by 2013.

    Government sources said here on Wednesday that New Delhi met interlocutors from these partner countries in January to initiate the process. The plan, kept under the wraps so far, is in keeping with the the country’s “Look Central Asia policy”.

    In this context, experts have identified the “missing links” in rail connectivity. “There is road connectivity, but what we want is a seamless rail connectivity. This will ensure a faster, a more hassle-free and less expensive way to transport goods through Iran to the Central Asian countries and further north to Russia,” a government source said.
    http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in...l-asia/918502/
    The Chahbahar port, that India built in Iran, will become a hub.

    It will permit moving of goods to countries North of Afghanistan and who knows how that gets funnelled into Afghanistan for the ISAF. It is obviously to Iran's advantage that the Pakistan (Sunni) based Taliban does not get an upper hand at the expense of the minority Shias in Afghanistan!

    Conjecture, but then there are many oddities that occur in foreign policy.

    In this context this is report is of interest:


    India Set To Be Bigger Player In Afghanistan NATO Transport?

    The U.S. military might rely on India as a way of getting equipment in and out of Afghanistan if Pakistan doesn't cooperate, a senior military official has said. The official, Marine Lt. Gen. Frank Panter, deputy commandant for installations and logistics, testified at a Congressional hearing on Thursday and was asked about the U.S.'s plans if Pakistan doesn't soon start to allow U.S. and NATO supplies to again transit that country. He said India would be part of the solution, according to a report from the Press Trust of India.
    http://www.eurasianet.org/taxonomy/term/2323
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread

  3. #103
    Council Member carl's Avatar
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    Ray:

    It seems to me that this doesn't have much to do with keeping NATO efforts supplied. It has more to do with keeping Indian efforts in Afghanistan (with or without troops) supplied once NATO bugs out.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread
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  4. #104
    Council Member Fuchs's Avatar
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    I don't suspect the slightest military intent in this. India is looking for economic vacant growth paths.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread

  5. #105
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fuchs View Post
    I don't suspect the slightest military intent in this. India is looking for economic vacant growth paths.
    That too!
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread
    "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." Gen. Nathanael Greene

  6. #106
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    Default Wanted an Iranian railways enthusiast

    Where are the Iranian and 'Stans railway enthusiasts when you need them? I fear there are none here on SWC.

    On a quick check on Wikipedia there is no existing railway line to the port of Chabahar and it is very mixed "fog" about existing links to the 'Stans. Not to overlook the different gauges in use. Lots of 'plans' and statements by all parties.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread
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    India Set To Be Bigger Player In Afghanistan NATO Transport?

    The U.S. military might rely on India as a way of getting equipment in and out of Afghanistan if Pakistan doesn't cooperate, a senior military official has said. The official, Marine Lt. Gen. Frank Panter, deputy commandant for installations and logistics, testified at a Congressional hearing on Thursday and was asked about the U.S.'s plans if Pakistan doesn't soon start to allow U.S. and NATO supplies to again transit that country. He said India would be part of the solution, according to a report from the Press Trust of India.
    http://www.eurasianet.org/taxonomy/term/2323
    How does India get equipment in and out of Afghanistan (for ISAF) if Pakistan doesn't cooperate?

    Or be part of the solution when there is no land mass continuity?

    What did the US Marine Lt Gen have in mind when he testified to the Congress?

    Also

    If Pakistan closes the transit route, how are they to be sustained?
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread

  8. #108
    Council Member Fuchs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by davidbfpo View Post
    Where are the Iranian and 'Stans railway enthusiasts when you need them? I fear there are none here on SWC.

    On a quick check on Wikipedia there is no existing railway line to the port of Chabahar and it is very mixed "fog" about existing links to the 'Stans. Not to overlook the different gauges in use. Lots of 'plans' and statements by all parties.
    There have been trains with variable gauge for many decades, this should not be a major issue - especially if you remember the great importance of ISO containers nowadays (easy transfer from train to train).
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread

  9. #109
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    Default Trucks not trains

    So if we discount the 'rail route plan' it means road transport on highways that will not crumble under the weight of container trucks until way beyond 2013.

    If ISAF's planners are looking at using this route as an option - well - that is interesting and I'd not bet on it being practical for awhile.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread
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  10. #110
    Council Member Fuchs's Avatar
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    Iran transit for ISAF supply hasn't been an option.
    I wonder why.

    Would come pretty handy.
    I guess someone has left too much ill will at their doorsteps...
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-21-2012 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Moved here from a separate thread

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    Default Russia slams NATO’s Afghanistan exit plan

    Russia slams NATO’s Afghanistan exit plan

    Moscow views NATO’s military effort in Afghanistan as crucial for its own security, including helping to prevent instability from spreading into ex-Soviet Central Asia.

    Russia has provided NATO with air corridors and railway routes for carrying supplies to and from landlocked Afghanistan. The link has become particularly important since Pakistan blocked NATO supplies from crossing its territory following an alliance airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani border troops in November.

    On Thursday, Lavrov and NATO ministers discussed a plan to give the alliance a new logistics facility on Russian territory to transfer military cargo to and from Afghanistan.

    The proposal now being considered by Russian lawmakers would for the first time allow alliance members to set up a logistics facility in Ulyanovsk, Russia, for troops and cargo.

    http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...-plans-041912/
    Finally some sense is dawning on the Russian mind?
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-26-2012 at 10:12 PM. Reason: Moved from separate thread to here

  12. #112
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    Default Some Russian sense now?

    Ray,

    Certainly not my conclusion:
    Finally some sense is dawning on the Russian mind?
    The Russians have for sometime now been critical of the approach taken in Afghanistan and a couple of years ago they expected the USA / West would stay.

    The cited report Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying:
    As long as Afghanistan is not able to ensure by itself the security in the country, the artificial timelines of withdrawal are not correct and they should not be set.
    Given the stance taken by Pakistan on allowing ISAF logistic access, for an unprecedented six months now, the Russians and other 'Stans have much to gain in hiring their facilities.

    If we look forward to a post-ISAF / US exit Afghanistan how much instability will migrate across the border? Little I say and the neighbours are quite adept at playing 'The Great Game'. Note one neighbour, Turkmenistan is already studiously neutral, allowing no logistic access and refrains from involvement.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-26-2012 at 10:12 PM. Reason: Moved from separate thread to here
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  13. #113
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    Iran Opens Chabahar Port For NATO Supply zaranj-delaram – PKKH.tv

    The endorsement of the pact means Afghan traders including those directly working with American contracting companies will be able to use the southeastern port – Iran’s only port with direct access to the sea – for importing and exporting goods. The news of signing of this agreement comes as relief to US/NATO official since the closure of NATO supplies from Pakistan has caused massive setback in terms of finance to US/NATO.
    http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/...aranj-delaram/
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-07-2012 at 10:42 AM. Reason: Copied to here from another thread

  14. #114
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    If that port and route through Afghanistan fully develops I believe that means a route to the sea for all the 'Stans that doesn't go thru Karachi. I wonder if the General Sahibs saw that one coming.
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-07-2012 at 10:42 AM. Reason: Copied to here from another thread
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    Carl, they were hoping that Saudis and Israel will prevent this from going too far. But maybe they miscalculated?
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-07-2012 at 10:43 AM. Reason: Copied to here from another thread

  16. #116
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    India has built the Chahbahar port in Iran and has linked it to the road made by India in Western Afghanistan (zaranj-delaram ).

    There are reports in the Pakistani media that Iran is opening up the Indian made port Chahbahar for NATO supplies. http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/...aranj-delaram/

    It is a bit surprising that Iran will allow transit of NATO supplies to Iran, but if read in context with the link below, it makes some sense.

    India Set To Be Bigger Player In Afghanistan NATO Transport?
    The U.S. military might rely on India as a way of getting equipment in and out of Afghanistan if Pakistan doesn't cooperate, a senior military official has said. The official, Marine Lt. Gen. Frank Panter, deputy commandant for installations and logistics, testified at a Congressional hearing on Thursday and was asked about the U.S.'s plans if Pakistan doesn't soon start to allow U.S. and NATO supplies to again transit that country
    http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65207
    And India is to build a rail link between Iran and Afghanistan.
    http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-...e1-763448.aspx

    Therefore, there are too many fingers in the pie to really be able to know how too many cooks can spoil the broth!
    Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-07-2012 at 10:44 AM. Reason: Edited down after being copied to here from another thread

  17. #117
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    Default Come to Chicago and have some broth!

    I've adapted the title from the last sentence in Ray's last post here:
    Therefore, there are too many fingers in the pie to really be able to know how too many cooks can spoil the broth!
    Hat tip to omerali50 for identifying a change is underway, when referring to a LA Times report, I've underlined the keyword:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/worl...ng-summit.html

    NATO on Tuesday announced that Pakistan would be invited to the alliance’s Chicago summit on the future of Afghanistan this weekend, following signs from Pakistani authorities that they would end their nearly six-month blockade on Afghanistan-bound NATO supply routes through their country. President Asif Ali Zardari’s spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh-Rasmussen phoned the Pakistani leader Tuesday to extend the invitation.

    Earlier this week, the alliance had suggested that Pakistan’s participation in the May 20-21 gathering would not be possible if the supply routes remained closed. However, Babar insisted that the invitation was unconditional and not linked to the reopening of the supply routes.
    It will be interesting if President Zadari is brave enough to announce the supply routes are open in Chicago, Obama's home-town. Personally I have m' doubts. Surely Obama can offer more than broth?
    davidbfpo

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    I think its a mistake to pour on the broth to reward the reopening of the supply business. Unless something else has changed, that just takes us back to where we were....why would that constitute some sort of success?

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    Quote Originally Posted by davidbfpo View Post
    It will be interesting if President Zadari is brave enough to announce the supply routes are open in Chicago, Obama's home-town. Personally I have m' doubts. Surely Obama can offer more than broth?
    You may not approve of Mr. Obama's methods! (If only… )
    If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed. – Mark Twain (attributed)

  20. #120
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    Quote Originally Posted by omarali50 View Post
    why would that constitute some sort of success?
    We're dealing with DC here Omar. The sky is a different color in their world.
    "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." Gen. Nathanael Greene

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