Large, arms exporting nations such as Russia and the United States need to take care in where they decide to do business. Each has sold arms in various proxy wars in the past, and continue to do so today. The cost is real misery and a needless loss of life.
During the Cold War, the United States sold arms to the mujaheddin in an effort to drive the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan. The unintended result was that Islamic fundamentalists received arms and training. The persons that later went on to form al-Qaeda or were inspired to form similar groups from this jihad. Many had knowledge and training that was begat from this proxy war.
The United States has shown less overt (thus shown) carelessness in selling arms in Syria. In the past, such as it did in Afghanistan, in the 1980s, it may have shown more aggression and less caution. Today, at least it seems by the public discussion, it seems much less inclined to sell arms that can later be used against it. Russia has shown no such caution in Ukraine. The pains of terrorism in Russian urban centers don't seem to be enough. Thus what results of putting arms at the disposal of 'pro-Russian separatists' is the shooting down of commercial aircraft, such as Malaysian Airlines flight 17. Could fighters in Ukraine covertly sponsored by Russia become a direct threat to Russian interests? Some fighters may certainly gain experience and training in Russia that are later directly used against Russia. If they later feel spurned or disillusioned they may want to form another Transnistria or semi-independent fiefdom. They would have to respond to Russian pressure and forced sponsorship to do that.
Not directly related to this subject, but interesting nonetheless, is the idea that the U.S. recent involvement in Afghanistan was actually a proxy war against Pakistan. Fact or fiction? Or both?
During the Cold War, the United States sold arms to the mujaheddin in an effort to drive the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan. The unintended result was that Islamic fundamentalists received arms and training. The persons that later went on to form al-Qaeda or were inspired to form similar groups from this jihad. Many had knowledge and training that was begat from this proxy war.
The United States has shown less overt (thus shown) carelessness in selling arms in Syria. In the past, such as it did in Afghanistan, in the 1980s, it may have shown more aggression and less caution. Today, at least it seems by the public discussion, it seems much less inclined to sell arms that can later be used against it. Russia has shown no such caution in Ukraine. The pains of terrorism in Russian urban centers don't seem to be enough. Thus what results of putting arms at the disposal of 'pro-Russian separatists' is the shooting down of commercial aircraft, such as Malaysian Airlines flight 17. Could fighters in Ukraine covertly sponsored by Russia become a direct threat to Russian interests? Some fighters may certainly gain experience and training in Russia that are later directly used against Russia. If they later feel spurned or disillusioned they may want to form another Transnistria or semi-independent fiefdom. They would have to respond to Russian pressure and forced sponsorship to do that.
Not directly related to this subject, but interesting nonetheless, is the idea that the U.S. recent involvement in Afghanistan was actually a proxy war against Pakistan. Fact or fiction? Or both?
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