Chinese troops appear to be operating in Afghanistan, and the Pentagon is OK with it

[Doc1]

"WASHINGTON — There is mounting evidence that Chinese ground troops are operating inside Afghanistan, conducting joint counter-terror patrols with Afghan forces along a 50-mile stretch of their shared border and fueling speculation that Beijing is preparing to play a significantly greater role in the country's security once the U.S. and NATO leave.

The full scope of China's involvement remains unclear, and the Pentagon is unwilling to discuss it. "We know that they are there, that they are present," a Pentagon spokesman said. Yet beyond a subtle acknowledgement, U.S. military officials in Washington and in Kabul would not respond to several detailed questions submitted by Military Times.

This dynamic stands in stark contrast to the two sides' feisty rhetoric over their ongoing dispute in the South China Sea, and to Washington's vocal condemnation of Russian and Iranian activity in Afghanistan. One explanation may be that this quiet arrangement is mutually beneficial.

Chinese troops appear to be operating in Afghanistan, and the Pentagon is OK with it

The world better wake up.

 

[McRocket]

Fine with me.

Great Britain, the U.S.S.R. and America were all useless at forcing Afghanistan to bow to their will...might as well let China give it a try (for all the good it will do them).

 

[debbiedowner]

"WASHINGTON — There is mounting evidence that Chinese ground troops are operating inside Afghanistan, conducting joint counter-terror patrols with Afghan forces along a 50-mile stretch of their shared border and fueling speculation that Beijing is preparing to play a significantly greater role in the country's security once the U.S. and NATO leave.

The full scope of China's involvement remains unclear, and the Pentagon is unwilling to discuss it. "We know that they are there, that they are present," a Pentagon spokesman said. Yet beyond a subtle acknowledgement, U.S. military officials in Washington and in Kabul would not respond to several detailed questions submitted by Military Times.

This dynamic stands in stark contrast to the two sides' feisty rhetoric over their ongoing dispute in the South China Sea, and to Washington's vocal condemnation of Russian and Iranian activity in Afghanistan. One explanation may be that this quiet arrangement is mutually beneficial.

Chinese troops appear to be operating in Afghanistan, and the Pentagon is OK with it

The world better wake up.

Chinese want control of the poppy fields.

 

[theHawk]

Fine with me.

Great Britain, the U.S.S.R. and America were all useless at forcing Afghanistan to bow to their will...might as well let China give it a try (for all the good it will do them).

I have to agree. Radical Islamists will never accept any kind of democracy. Perhaps some good old fashioned atheist communists can keep their boots on their throats.

 

[Darkman00]

Cool by me.