Biden eyes Central Asia: Global media is reporting how Russia is licking the dust in Ukraine every other day. It tells you how “Brave” Ukrainians are thwarting the tired Russian forces. They highlight how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a humanitarian crisis across the world.
Biden’s dreams dashed in Ukraine
But is that the whole truth? The truth is that Russia has occupied one-fifth of Ukraine including the Donbass region and that was Russia’s main objective in the war. Yes, it has lost some ground in the counter-offensive attack by Ukraine. But it’s speck in the ocean when you compare it to the territories it has lost. The “brave Ukrainian forces” are losing 60-100 soldiers every day accompanied by 500 wounded, according to Zelensky’s own admission.
We are about 200 days into the war and 100 losses every day simply means that the country has lost around 20,000 soldiers, so far, against Russia. Importantly, the number of wounded soldiers, those who can no longer be deployed on frontlines, might have risen to 100,000. This means that out of Ukraine’s 240,000 soldiers, 100,000 are no longer present on the ground to fight. In other words, even though the Ukraine forces have gained ground, the Ukrainian army on a whole has been rendered into a harmless paralyzed force by Putin’s men.
The fear is such that many men have tried to flee the country. They know that they would be nothing but just fodder for the Russian army. Further, the recent mobilisation of 300,000 reservists will help boost the Kremlin’s faltering war effort off late. Also, the ongoing referendums in the occupied region will cement the annexation by Moscow. Despite the overwhelming support by US to Ukraine in aid and weapons, the results have been not in their favour.
On the home front, Americans are more concerned about rising inflation and cost of living. Biden aimed to capitalise on the waning power Russia but has seen his dreams dashed by Red army. All in all, Biden’s foreign policy has miserably backfired.
Also Read: Zelensky captured 8000 Ukrainian men and dropped them on the frontlines
Biden eyes Central Asia
Biden and democrats now aim to progress in Central Asia, the backyard of Russia. They also have offered help to Armenia in its war against Azerbaijan despite knowing the close relations with Russia.
Now, according to a Politico report, America’s planning to swap Afghan aircrafts to gain Central Asian influence.
Two unidentified US officials reportedly told the outlet that the United States is in talks with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to exchange roughly 50 military aircraft that were transported across the border as the Afghan government fell apart last summer.
After Afghan air force pilots flew the donated U.S. aircraft to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in August of last year to avoid Taliban capture, the destiny of the aircraft has been in uncertainty for more than a year. The helicopters and light attack planes, which the Taliban claim as their own and demand back. However, according to Uzbek authorities, they are American property and won’t be handed back.
In return for a tacit agreement to “deepen our security relationships” over border security and counterterrorism, the Uzbek and Tajik governments will get a number of aircraft, the official stated.
Intelligence-sharing is at the centre of this outreach since basing rights are currently unlikely. This is because of Tajikistan’s membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which requires consensual approval to host non-bloc military infrastructure. Furthermore, Uzbekistan’s constitution bans any foreign facilities on its land.
Tajikistan already has a history of cooperating with the United States government, including allowing American military aircraft to refuel at its airports during the 9/11 attacks. Currently, Tajikistan is worried about how the Taliban is treating its other ethnic groups in Northern Afghanistan and the expansion of ISIS-K on their border. The most recent conflicts with Kyrgyzstan may have also caused Tajikistan to lose faith in the CSTO.
Furthermore, it would make more sense for Uzbekistan to accept and seriously consider implementing the US’ most recent plan than it does for Tajikistan. That’s because, despite its constitution’s ban on foreign military bases, this nation could theoretically lease one of its facilities to the US or permit some of its troops to be stationed alongside its own troops in one of their existing bases. This is because the country isn’t a member of the CSTO.
In addition to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, US successfully carried a “modern-coup” in Pakistan and aims to gain the lost ground to China.
The Shortcomings
Despite the smart plan, the plan falls flat on the ground. Tajikistan’s economy significantly depends on both China and Russia, and ties with Washington have recently been tense. On the military front, Tajikistan already maintains a Russian military installation on its soil and is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of certain former Soviet states.
Similar is the case with Uzbekistan which is basically virtually controlled by Russia. And when one looks at Pakistan, US plans will fall apart as soon as Imran Khan returns to office owing to his recent protests and popularity among his people.
