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officials in Afghanistan in joint anti-drug operations and training for
Afghanistan’s anti-drug agencies (Ivanov, 2011).
The CSTO has taken measures to prepare for the threats of extremism and
terrorism from Afghanistan. The organisation has established a Collective
Operational Reaction Force and a separate collective peacekeeping force. There
are standards for unit structures, supplies of equipment, interoperability, and
training and funding for forces earmarked for the CSTO. Russia provides free
training for military personnel. Some 2,500 officers from CSTO countries have
received training at Russian military academies since 2000. In 2013, Russia’s
military educational institutions received about 400 students from CSTO allies.
The CSTO also has plans to develop a collective response to emergencies. It has
deployed humanitarian centres with equipment and supplies with comprehensive
financial and logistical support in regions of the CSTO assessed to be at risk. The
CSTO countries have established regional networks of rescue teams supported by
a system of equipment warehouses (Draliuk, 2013). There is also coordination of
information; and CSTO states are coordinating activities related to the transit of
forces leaving Afghanistan through their territories.
Afghanistan post-ISAF has prompted a large-scale rearmament of the CSTO
countries. The organisation’s united air defence system (comprising Russia,
Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) has been expanded. In 2012 an agreement
was signed with Belarus, and in January 2013 one with Kazakhstan. There are
also plans for collective Air Forces (Arutiunian, 2013). CSTO member states can
buy arms at reduced prices – S-300PMU2 Favorit air defence missile systems,
Mi-17-1V helicopters, Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, T-90 tanks, BMP armoured
infantry fighting vehicles, Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems and Cheetah
patrol ships (Bordiuzha, 2012).
THE IMPACT OF AFGHANISTAN POST-ISAF ON RUSSIAN POLICY
TOWARDS CENTRAL ASIA
As of early 2014, the situation developing around Afghanistan is one of
conserved conflict. This may actually benefit Russian interests. An unstable
Afghanistan will keep Central Asia away from external temptations.
Furthermore, the threat of extremist Islamism is pushing former Soviet republics
closer to Russia. The US will remain the main target and stimulus for the
region’s radical extremists. The international community pays most of the ANSF.
The withdrawal of ISAF from Afghanistan is also causing concerns for Russia.
One such concern is the possibility of the Central Asian states receiving US
military hardware being pulled out of Afghanistan (Kozyulin et al., 2010). Some
Russian analysts are also concerned about the possible expansion of the US
presence and economic influence in Central Asia (Mixednews, 2013; Higher
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