Article

2006-08-11 Afghanistan

Geopolitical problem makes it tough for troops in Afghanistan

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Posted by john 2006-08-11 16:54|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Pakistan still hopes to have Afghanistan as its strategic depth, for a war with India.
It is not in its interests for NATO to succeed and Afghanistan become a strong, stable nation.

The jihadi camps are operating to provide fighters for the wars in both Afghanistan and Indian Kashmir.

Musharraf and the Pak military will not close them down. They are funded by the ISI and trained by Pak army officers masquerading as Taliban.

Posted by john 2006-08-11 17:49|| 2006-08-11 17:49|| Front Page Top

#2 John! you ~~knowledgable~~ cynic!

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-08-11 17:54|| 2006-08-11 17:54|| Front Page Top

#3 John when you talk about "strategic depth" what do you mean? An ally? Maneuvering room? It seems like Afghanistan is on the wrong side of Pakistan for good strategic depth.

Posted by 6 2006-08-11 18:59|| 2006-08-11 18:59|| Front Page Top

#4 6, this is actual Pak military strategy

From an article:

The concept of the 'strategic depth' doctrine is not new: it was first articulated by the army chief General Mirza Aslam Beg and tried out in the high-profile Zarb-I-Momin military exercise in 1989-90.

Simply put, the doctrine calls for a dispersal of Pakistan's military assets in Afghanistan beyond the Durand Line and well beyond the current offensive capabilities of the Indian military. This would ensure the protection of Pakistan's military hardware.

However, to be really effective the doctrine calls for Pakistan having the ability to field these assets at a time and place of its choosing, which in turn requires not just neutralareas around the Durand Line but Pakistan-dominated areas well within Afghanistan.

Posted by john 2006-08-11 19:05|| 2006-08-11 19:05|| Front Page Top

#5 J: Musharraf and the Pak military will not close them down. They are funded by the ISI and trained by Pak army officers masquerading as Taliban.

My feeling is that the Pak government has established red lines beyond which the jihadis aren't allowed to cross - post 9/11, and the consequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, i.e. future attacks against the US can't be of the same scale. This is the meaning of Pak cooperation with the West over the airline plots. Pakistan feared major American military retaliation.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2006-08-11 22:56|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2006-08-11 22:56|| Front Page Top

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