November 26, 2003
WORK TO DO FOR THE AXIS OF GOOD:
India and Russia have much to lose (Ramtanu Maitra, 11/25/03, Asia Times)
Both Moscow and New Delhi are worried that the Taliban are gaining ground and that, despite the firepower Washington possesses, they could be back in the saddle in Kabul. What then?According to a report by Agence France Presse, during the November summit discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the latter voiced concern over the Taliban threat in Afghanistan. "Events in Afghanistan cause anxiety; there exists a threat of the Taliban's return in one form or another," Vajpayee told Putin. The Russian president's reply, if there was one, was not reported.
But in a joint declaration following the summit, a paragraph was dedicated to Afghanistan, and the last sentence in that paragraph showed the concern: "India and the Russian Federation strongly believe that Afghanistan should emerge as a peaceful, strong prosperous, united and independent nation that would be free from external interference and living in peace and harmony with its neighbors." It is now on the record that neither India nor Russia really believes that Afghanistan, as it stands today, is emerging as a peaceful nation free from external interference. What they will do about it remains to be seen, but a review of the reasons for their mutual concern suggests some likely steps.
Perceive a threat? Get involved. Stop trying to ride our coat tails. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 26, 2003 9:13 AM
The Asia Times is a joke and anything written in it is highly dubious.
Posted by: BJW at November 26, 2003 10:03 AMMr. Judd;
Can the Russians get involved? Their previous depradations in Soviet Central Asia probably effectively prohibits the use of Russian troops in Afghanistan or Iraq (just like there's no realistic possibility of stationing Japanese troops in South East Asian bases).
On the other hand, Russia could be more cooperative on the diplomatic front. If Russia isn't doing that, then I'm with BJW in viewing Russia as having a better idea of what's good for Russian than the Asia Times.
AOG:
But when it comes time to kill a heck of a lot of people in Western Pakistan, the Indians and Russians will be more eager to do so than we.
Posted by: oj at November 26, 2003 12:06 PMBut can they do it as well?
Posted by: jim hamlen at November 26, 2003 2:41 PMRussia does what's good for Russia. If it makes noises to make it appear as though it might act to assist the US, that's because making such noises is good for Russia.
It might help to remember Russia's assistance to the US during the GW2.
And also who exactly has been helping Iran (another master game player) develop its nuclear capacity.
True, the purrs can be so soothing....
Posted by: Barry Meislin at November 27, 2003 3:23 AMYes, but a reconstituted Taliban matters to them and not to us.
Posted by: oj at November 27, 2003 8:49 AM