Pentagon officials will discuss in October the possibility of deploying counter-terrorism forces in Uzbekistan for potential strikes against extremist positions in Afghanistan. This was reported on Wednesday, October 13, by Politico, citing sources.
"The main topic [of the visit] will be the possibility of deploying counter-terrorism forces <...>, an agreement that would allow the US military to more easily monitor and hit targets in Afghanistan," the material says.
It is noted that the administration of US President Joe Biden has been negotiating for several months with Uzbekistan and other countries bordering Afghanistan, which could help the American side "protect regional interests in the future."
On October 9 and 10, the United States held talks with the new Afghan authorities. The sides discussed security issues and respect for human rights, including the participation of women in all aspects of the country's life. The meeting took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Washington has agreed to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghans. The US State Department noted that they will judge the new authorities by their actions, not by statements.
On September 28, the head of the Central Command (CENTCOM) of the American Armed Forces, General Kenneth Mackenzie, said that a number of countries in Central Asia see maintaining ties with the United States as a possible alternative to cooperation with Russia and China. During his visit to the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan General consulted with representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The conversation during the meetings was about what the region would be like "after the fall of Afghanistan."
According to Mackenzie, "partners in the region want the United States to send a signal that they will not turn away from them, even after leaving Afghanistan."
At the same time, the Pentagon announced that there were no plans for the re-entry of American troops into Afghanistan.
On September 20, it became known that the United States promised, together with the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan, to move to a new stage in foreign policy, which will be characterized by intensive diplomacy.
The situation in Afghanistan escalated in May 2021 after the start of the withdrawal of American troops who had been in the country since 2001. Taliban militants (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation) launched an offensive against major cities of the country and entered Kabul on August 15, announcing the end of the war. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country on the same day.
