4/8/2014 Russia Seeks To Fill Void In Afghanistan | Indyposted http://www.indyposted.com/246895/russia-seeks-fill-void-afghanistan/ 1/3 Russia Seeks To Fill Void In Afghanistan POLITICS , by Gene Giannotta Share on Facebook Share on Twitter With the American involvement in Afghanistan rapidly reaching its endpoint, Russia has taken a newfound interest in the country it invaded decades ago. The Washington Post reports that Moscow is increasing its investment in Afghanistan, returning to a country that still has many signs of the Soviet Union. An old Soviet cultural building in Kabul, for example, is being repurposed as a showcase as a showcase for Russian culture at a cost of $20 million. Coming hot on the heels of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its hard not to see the move as a further play into the old Soviet sphere of influence. President Vladimir Putin’s desire to reassert that old Russian strength has become an explicit part of his agenda, as has his antagonistic stance toward American hegemony. And its no secret that many Afghans aren’t so thrilled with the 13 years of U.S. involvement in their country. “The Soviet money went to the right place,” Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the Post last month . ”They were efficient in spending their money and doing it through the Afghan government.” By contrast, Gen. Labib Raeed told the paper that while the U.S. was “generous” in its levels of investment, “they gave [the money] to the wrong people.” And he lives in one of the stillstanding Soviet housing complexes, which remain muchsoughtafter options for Afghans because while they might not be much to look at, they include amenities like central heating that are impossible to find elsewhere. But while the play by Moscow is certainly an attempt at extending its influence, it’s uncertain how – or if – Washington will try to compete. Growing frustrated with Karzai’s own antagonistic rhetoric and refusal to sign a security agreement, the Obama administration has threatened to withdraw all troops at the end of the year. That would lead to a vacuum Putin’s government might be eager to fill even more aggressively. On the one hand, this could be cause for concern given the absorption of Crimea this week. But it could also offer a degree of comfort for the administration as a potential stabilizing force if American involvement ended completely. After all, a primary concern had been that total withdraw might mean a civil war and a return to power of the Taliban or other elements that could create a safe haven for terrorist groups. Russian involvement might not prevent that worstcase scenario but it would likely be a FEATURED NEWS 1 2 3 4 Study: Married Folks Have Fewer Heart Problems Sebelius: Texas Opposition Hasn’t Helped Sign-ups Poll: Obama Health Law Fails To Gain Support GOP Governors Back Sheldon Adelson On Online Gambling Home / Politics / Russia Seeks To Fill Void In Afghanistan March 22, 2014 March 28th, 2014 March 28th, 2014 March 28th, 2014 March 28th, 2014 TRENDING NOW BREAKING U.S. NEWS Army: Fort Hood Suspect Had Requested Leave HOME BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH & LIFE NEWS TECH & SCIENCE SPORTS
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4/8/2014 Russia Seeks To Fill Void In Afghanistan | Indyposted
http://www.indyposted.com/246895/russia-seeks-fill-void-afghanistan/ 1/3
Russia Seeks To Fill Void In AfghanistanPOLITICS , by Gene Giannotta
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With the American involvement in Afghanistan rapidly reaching its endpoint, Russia has taken anewfound interest in the country it invaded decades ago.
The Washington Post reports that Moscow is increasing its investment in Afghanistan, returning to acountry that still has many signs of the Soviet Union. An old Soviet cultural building in Kabul, for example,is being repurposed as a showcase as a showcase for Russian culture at a cost of $20 million.
Coming hot on the heels of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its hard not to see the move as a further playinto the old Soviet sphere of influence. President Vladimir Putin’s desire to reassert that old Russianstrength has become an explicit part of his agenda, as has his antagonistic stance toward Americanhegemony. And its no secret that many Afghans aren’t so thrilled with the 13 years of U.S. involvement intheir country.
“The Soviet money went to the right place,” Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the Post lastmonth. ”They were efficient in spending their money and doing it through the Afghan government.”
By contrast, Gen. Labib Raeed told the paper that while the U.S. was “generous” in its levels ofinvestment, “they gave [the money] to the wrong people.” And he lives in one of the stillstanding Soviethousing complexes, which remain muchsoughtafter options for Afghans because while they might notbe much to look at, they include amenities like central heating that are impossible to find elsewhere.
But while the play by Moscow is certainly an attempt at extending its influence, it’s uncertain how – or if –Washington will try to compete. Growing frustrated with Karzai’s own antagonistic rhetoric and refusal tosign a security agreement, the Obama administration has threatened to withdraw all troops at the end ofthe year. That would lead to a vacuum Putin’s government might be eager to fill even more aggressively.
On the one hand, this could be cause for concern given the absorption of Crimea this week. But it couldalso offer a degree of comfort for the administration as a potential stabilizing force if Americaninvolvement ended completely. After all, a primary concern had been that total withdraw might mean acivil war and a return to power of the Taliban or other elements that could create a safe haven forterrorist groups. Russian involvement might not prevent that worstcase scenario but it would likely be a
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Home / Politics / Russia Seeks To Fill Void In Afghanistan
March 22, 2014
March 28th, 2014
March 28th, 2014
March 28th, 2014
March 28th, 2014
TRENDING NOW
BREAKING U.S . NEWS Army: Fort Hood Suspect Had Requested Leave
HOME BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH & LIFE NEWS TECH & SCIENCE SPORTS
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better option than an Afghanistan left up for grabs among the various warlords and groups within thecountry.
Given Moscow’s recent antagonism, that outcome wouldn’t be ideal, but it’s likely a function of years ofmismanagement with regard to the Afghan counterinsurgency operation. A focus on military solutionsrather than “nationbuilding” and a reliance on the shaky leadership of Karzai has created a very difficultand unstable situation in Kabul that might be impossible for the U.S. to successfully navigate.
In any event, Russia is portraying itself as a wiser alternative coming to the rescue.
“The mistake of the last 12 years is that people were eager to give money, but without the properstrategy,” the country’s ambassador, Andrey Avetisyan, told the Post.
[photo credit: Getty Images]
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