The enduring freedom is winding down in Afghanistan yet the mission can not be announced accomplished. The road to a safe and prosper Afghanistan is ultimately paved by the nations of the region. The needs of the region can only be understood by the region itself.
The issue of Afghanistan shouldn’t be a head scratcher, history witnessed a worry free Afghanistan when the state leaned on Soviet Union. When Afghanistan is named in the same sentence with Soviet Union, the years of cold war is triggered but can we simplify their relation into such a narrow time. The support Afghanistan received from Russia dates from it’s independence from British Empire, if Afghanistan experienced prosperity for those short moments of history, shall we condemn history for repeating itself.
A nation’s support is defined by it’s intention and the specific role it can have. Russia has always welcomed peace, a nation’s intentions are witnessed by it’s actions. Russia’s support for Afghanistan during it’s inception was never attached with strings. Russia also have the means to carry out a meaningful help. Afghanistan is in great need of military equipment, the weapons built in Russia is designed and battle tested in Afghanistan. The need for energy is also another pillar Russia can have big role. The merits of cold war years between Afghanistan can be pointed to projects outline by the two countries and the aim should be to reboot those projects.
The focus is on current situation in Ukraine where all nations have chosen a side like the days of cold war. Afghanistan has partnered with many nation and if by the fruits of those partnership we go, Afghanistan has a better future when leaning on Russia..