Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Oct. 1. His government has asked Moscow to donate military supplies. PHOTO: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS
Wall Street Journal: Afghanistan Looks to Russia for Military Hardware
Kremlin’s more-assertive foreign policy raises potential for clash with U.S.
Afghanistan, battered by worsening security, is reaching out to an old ally and patron—Russia—just as the Kremlin is seeking to reassert its position as a heavyweight on the world stage.
President Ashraf Ghani has asked Moscow for artillery, small arms and Mi-35 helicopter gunships for his country’s struggling military, Afghan and Russian officials say, after the U.S. and its allies pulled most of their troops from Afghanistan and reduced financial aid.
The outreach has created another opening for the Kremlin, stepping up the potential for confrontation with Washington. East-West relations are already strained over such issues as Ukraine and Middle Eastern policy.
“Russia is seizing the opportunity,” a U.S. official said.
Previous Post: Russia Stepping Up Its Military And Security Involvement In Afghanistan
WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction .... Russia will provide the supplies and assistance that Afghanistan is asking for .... but there will be no Russian boots on the ground in Afghanistan in this deal.