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US to Expand Routes Into Afghanistan

Safer roads will depend on cooperation of Central Asian nations

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2008 9:40 AM CST
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(Newser) – More than four-fifths of the supplies for allied troops in Afghanistan travel via Pakistan along a treacherous route, prompting the US to plan new supply lines in the embattled region. The fragility of the current setup was laid bare after a Pakistani counter-militant offensive shut down the Khyber Pass yesterday, the New York Times reports.

But cartography alone won't cut it: Alternative routes would depend heavily on the cooperation of Russia and authoritarian countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The US- and NATO-led supply lines won't include weapons, and officials have promised that the routes would not require new American bases. "These countries of Central Asia recognize that this is their struggle, too," an official says.

Trucks carrying materials for US and NATO troops drive on a highway in Surobi, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.
Trucks carrying materials for US and NATO troops drive on a highway in Surobi, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
A Pakistani police officer stands guard next to vehicles loaded with supplies for US and allied forces at the Pakistani border town of Chaman along Afghanistan on Sunday. Dec. 14, 2008.
A Pakistani police officer stands guard next to vehicles loaded with supplies for US and allied forces at the Pakistani border town of Chaman along Afghanistan on Sunday. Dec. 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shah Khalid)
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers guard trailers parked on the Jamrud Road, leading to Afghanistan after it was closed by authorities, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers guard trailers parked on the Jamrud Road, leading to Afghanistan after it was closed by authorities, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
A truck carrying materials for US and NATO troops runs on a highway in Surobi, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.
A truck carrying materials for US and NATO troops runs on a highway in Surobi, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
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Pakistan estimates 2 more days of closure
CNN

Two months max for rail route
Times (UK)

 
Afghanistan • Russia • NATO • Pakistan • Azerbaijan • army supplies • Turkmenistan • Khyber Pass • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan

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