All quiet on the Western front?

Any talk of Afghanistan these days usually revolves around its porous border with Pakistan. Common sense wisdom says that Tailban militants are hiding out in the terrain that straddles the desolate area known under a variety of guises: FATA, Warizistan, North West Frontier Province.

While it's certainly true that funds and arms pour in from Pakistan, well-founded rumors are also circulating that Iran is smuggling arms and cash in exchange for drugs to the Taliban over the western border as well. This is scary, probably true, and should be just as high on our security agenda as the Pakistani border. Iranian influence was what caused, in part, the severe sectarian strife in Iraq. It's pretty obvious that's the last thing we need in Afghanistan. And it is certainly true that the violence once contained in the south and east has been increasing in the western countryside.

As a possible nuclear power with delusions of dominance and influence throughout Central and South Asia, Iran's role in Afghanistan offers a chance to pursue a more fruitful strategy of engagement and stabilization in both countries. The US can either rebuff Iranian efforts unilaterally in which case arms will continue to flow into Afghanistan and probably increase. Or measured steps can be taken to allow Iranian efforts greater importance. Iranian desire to expand their regional influence through aid efforts is a concern but much less than an increase in their arms smuggling. Iran has been a heavy giver in the international reconstruction effort and was a vital lynchpin in negotiating the Bonn Agreement, which established Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. They want a greater role in guiding the future of Afghanistan and if they aren't given a seat at the table will continue to destabilize our efforts in the country.

Their role gathering support from normally aloof countries, with little desire to be tied to an American led invasion, was vital to securing international and regional support in 2001. Let's treat it as such and give them something better to do in Afghanistan than run guns.

(Photo: fallenwattle)