Report - United States Department of Defense

UNCLASSIFIED
this reporting period. The PRC is also an active participant in the ongoing Istanbul process, and
PRC representatives attended the ministerial conference in Kabul in June 2012.
5.5: RUSSIA
Russia seeks a stable Afghanistan to minimize the threat of terrorism and stem the flow of
narcotics into Central Asia and the Northern Caucasus. Russia has also supported Afghan-led
reconciliation and reintegration efforts. Based on a commitment made at the November 2010
NATO Summit in Lisbon, Russia continues to expand the types of cargo shipped by rail and air
via the NDN and also permits the reverse transit of goods back through the NDN.
Russia recognizes terrorism as being closely intertwined with narcotics trafficking. Hence,
Russia’s interest in expanding CN cooperation has continued with its participation in multilateral
meetings, UNODC programs, and calls for greater international support for CN efforts in
Afghanistan. The NATO-Russia Council plans to expand its Central Asian CN program, which
trains CN personnel from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan, in Russia, Turkey, and
via mobile training teams.
Russia supported Afghanistan’s bid for observer status within the SCO and has welcomed that
designation. This has highlighted the increasing emphasis Russia places on regional cooperation
mechanisms for economic, development, and security in Afghanistan as ISAF draws down.
5.6: IRAN
Iranian determination to have a long-term role in Afghanistan is consistent with its aspirations
for regional influence. Iran continues to call for the permanent withdrawal of all foreign forces
from regional nation-states. Iran’s attempts to influence events in Afghanistan includes overt
support for the Afghan Government; economic and cultural outreach to the Afghan population,
particularly to the Shi’a minority populations; and covert activities, including the provision of
weapons and training for various insurgent and political opposition groups.
Politically, Iran seeks to maintain positive relations within the highest levels of GIRoA while
attempting to steer Afghanistan away from an enduring Bilateral Security Agreement with the
United States. In addition to maintaining a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, Tehran often
uses high-level visits and key leadership engagements to criticize the presence of international
forces in Afghanistan and to call for the withdrawal of ISAF publicly. Various Afghan officials
continue to solicit further Iranian support, despite evidence of Tehran’s covert support to
insurgents.
Since 2001, Iran has pledged more than $1B in aid to Afghanistan and given more than $500M.
Iran’s reconstruction and development efforts have been largely concentrated in western
Afghanistan. Iran’s intent is to increase its influence among the local population in order to
foster pro-Iranian sentiment. Iran also wants to expand its sphere of influence beyond border
regions into other parts of Afghanistan, particularly Kabul. Iran currently maintains consulates
in Herat, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, and Mazar-e-Sharif and is considering opening additional
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