tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post116621501028948471..comments2023-12-31T19:34:14.853-05:00Comments on Dymaxion World: A Wall, and more troops, for Afghanistanjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690430991814528863noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post-1166219756504822152006-12-15T16:55:00.000-05:002006-12-15T16:55:00.000-05:00Neither Iran nor any of the 'stans have any intere...Neither Iran nor any of the 'stans have any interest in expanding the power of Sunni Muslim fundamentalists. Iran is still dealing with refugees from the first Taliban era, when Mullah Omar et al launched what could politely be called ethnic cleansing against Afghanistan's Shia population.<BR/><BR/>Iran was probably the happiest country around when the Taliban fell, and while they'd love to keep the US tied down in Iraq, they absolutely do not want, under any circumstances, a return of any Taliban-like regime in Kabul.<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, most of the post-Soviet states are scared to death of a Muslim resurgence in Afghanistan. Russia and China are especially concerned, and both have a great deal of influence in security matters, care of the SCO.johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690430991814528863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post-1166219453020915742006-12-15T16:50:00.000-05:002006-12-15T16:50:00.000-05:00I was wondering about the border controls. Howeve...I was wondering about the border controls. However, I think Iran is more than willing to turn a blind eye. It serves their purpose to hinder Western efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. Right now they can let Pakistan take the lead, and stay in the sidelines.<BR/><BR/>Why would Iran (or the 'Stans) stop insurgents from entering Afghanistan? Training can still happen in Pakistan, but the arms and fighters flow across Muslim state borders out of the reach of western control. Just a matter of logistics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post-1166217490288097352006-12-15T16:18:00.000-05:002006-12-15T16:18:00.000-05:00oops - "stans", not "stands".oops - "stans", not "stands".johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690430991814528863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post-1166217453736112312006-12-15T16:17:00.000-05:002006-12-15T16:17:00.000-05:00I think "completely surrounding the country" is ou...I think "completely surrounding the country" is out, but I don't think it's necessary, either. Iran and the other stands generally have better border controls, and in any case the support from Pakistan is geographically concentrated in areas far away from the Iranian or other borders. Even if the wall simply made it much, much more difficult for the Taliban, we'd be better off.<BR/><BR/>As for the costs, we know the CIA has experience building on that terrain... maybe the bin Laden group can help with the wall.johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690430991814528863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9560953.post-1166216305267727982006-12-15T15:58:00.000-05:002006-12-15T15:58:00.000-05:00A wall would be hugely expensive, much more than t...A wall would be hugely expensive, much more than the mexican/us wall.<BR/><BR/>The mountains and other terrain obstacles are formidable. Lots of raw material true, but the cost of drilling/blasting the footings, moving of equipment, establishment of work camps, security arrangements, yikes!<BR/><BR/>Such a wall would probably have to completely surround the country, or at a minimum include the border with Iran. I'm sure insurgents could just walk around the wall into one of the neighboring 'stans and cross over from there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com