Crossfire War – TEHRAN WATCH – Central Asia Theatre: Tehran – Kabul/Brussels; Afghanistan “Close to Anarchy” – Lt. Gen. David Richards – British Commander of NATO Forces – Feuding Foreign Agencies – NATO Underequipped
Night Watch: KABUL – “Close to anarchy” is the description of the situation in Afghanistan by British Lieutenant General David Richards the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan and due to take over command there in 10 days. The British publication Guardian reported that Lt. General Richards was addressing a conference of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank in London where he mentioned that fighting was more severe with the Taliban than Brussels anticipated. He also stated that foreign aid agencies were feuding with each other, local corruption was also a serious problem and that NATO forces were underequipped. [WEBINDIA]
Richards emphasized that this is a war NATO cannot afford to lose and called their mission in Afghanistan a watershed for the Brussels based Alliance. This is its first military projection outside of Europe. But in a recent operation in Kabul NATO forces had no support from helicopters. Other air support is also lacking as well as medical evacuating systems and life-saving equipment. NATO’s self-praised mission is to establish long-term stability in the country.
A few years ago a NATO general admitted that when you ask member nations for military support for Afghanistan it was like passing the hat. Nothing will please Tehran more than to have NATO’s effort collaspe defending a narco state whose only raw material is opium that strangely enough mostly goes to Western Europe. Brussels is protecting the drug traffic, a complete waste of time. NATO’s command structure is so insulated they can’t even realize that. Tehran has established Afghanistan as a trap like Iraq.
Tehran can’t help but conclude if this is an example of NATO’s efficiency then how can they successfully defend Europe? Contributing to their breakdown of intelligence is their respective governments have convinced themselves that somehow they can deal their way out of war with Tehran, a very real and immediate threat. There is no luxury of time any more. Tehran is allowing NATO to entertain the illusion that the threat from Iran is still distant.
www.crossfirewar.com
