Russia Rules Out Troop Deployment to Afghanistan After NATO Mission Ends

Strategic Insights -

Russia has no plans to send troops to Afghanistan after the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) ended its combat mission, said Russian special presidential envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov. The ISAF formally ended its 13-year-old combat mission on Sunday, with 13,000 troops, including 10,800 Americans, staying in Afghanistan to play a supporting role in 2015. Despite the planned troop withdrawal, Kabulov warned that armed groups of extremists, including the Islamic State, could spill into Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in early 2015, with up to 7,500 people involved. The Taliban is also expected to increase its threats to Kabul in 2015.

Key Takeaways:

  • Russia has no plan to send troops to Afghanistan after the NATO-led ISAF ends its combat mission.
  • The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will not deal with Afghanistan's internal problems, but will provide security to its members and protect its outer borders.
  • The CSTO has a 201 military base in Tajikistan that will play a big role in Central Asian military security.
  • Up to 7,500 armed extremist groups, including the Islamic State, could spill into Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in early 2015.
  • The Taliban is expected to increase its threats to Kabul in 2015.
  • Russia accuses the Western coalition of making a "major mistake" by not bolstering Afghanistan's economy over the past 13 years.
  • The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will have to pay attention to the situation in Afghanistan, which has an observer's status in the organization.

Statistics:

  • 13,000 troops, including 10,800 Americans, will stay in Afghanistan in 2015 to play a supporting role.
  • Up to 7,500 people are involved in armed extremist groups, including the Islamic State, that could spill into Central Asian countries.
  • 13 years: the duration of the ISAF combat mission in Afghanistan.
  • 2015: the year in which armed extremist groups are expected to spill into Central Asian countries.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency