WORLD
Russian Money for Taliban to Fight U.S. Part of Plan to Get Afghan Foothold, Officials Say
BY TOM O'CONNOR AND NAVEED JAMALI ON 7/1/20 AT 3:35 PM EDT
Excerpt:
One Pentagon Russia policy analyst not authorized to speak publicly on the matter described to Newsweek Moscow's behind-the-scenes Taliban ties as an "influence operation against U.S. interests" because the broader goal lay with disrupting Washington's designs in Afghanistan.
A senior Pentagon official who also requested anonymity referred to Russia's outreach to the Taliban as "a covert support program with layers." It involved "weapons, equipment and other assistance," the official said, adding that there may also be "incentives for taking out U.S. or British forces within."
The official told Newsweek that such activity "illuminates Russia's willingness to partner with a former enemy to not only undermine U.S. strategy and operations, but to engage with warfare through proxy hitmen and thugs."
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-money-taliban-fight-us-foothold-afghanistan-1514769
