The expert assessed the consequences of the war between Afghanistan and Pakistan for Russia's allies

The war between Afghanistan and Pakistan should not be overestimated, although the consequences of the conflict will be serious. This was stated by orientalist Azhdar Kurtov in an interview with Izvestia.

Voltage regulator: Russia is ready to resolve the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Moscow can become a mediator in the negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad, but only if both sides request it.

"The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been going on for more than 100 years, no government in Kabul has recognized the Durand Line, which is considered a conditional border, and clashes have periodically occurred over this. The current skirmishes are, of course, larger than the previous ones, but they are not fundamentally different from them. Besides, there is no reason to believe that either side will win an unconditional victory," he said.

However, the consequences of the conflict for the Central Asian countries will still be serious, the expert warned. The war, he said, calls into question the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the transportation of Turkmen gas, the transfer of electricity from Tajikistan and the construction of a high-speed railway.

"Investors were already very cautious about all these ideas, now they will have even more doubts," the source is convinced.

There is also a threat of activation of militants who have settled in Afghanistan, Kurtov added. Many of these people are from Central Asian countries. They have gained combat experience in Syria and "under certain conditions may try to move to their homeland."

The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan broke out in late February, and the sides are fighting along the border. Pakistan also enjoys an advantage in aviation and strikes the largest Afghan cities. On March 16, it became known about a series of powerful explosions in Kabul.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

War in the Shadows: how the conflict in Afghanistan will affect Russia's allies

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