U.S.-Russia Tense Relations to Have Negative Impact on Afghanistan: Experts

The U.S. airstrikes on Syria will deepen the tensions between the United States, Russia and Iran in Afghanistan.

Afghan analysts say that Russia and Iran are key allies to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; therefore, the two countries will support their proxy forces in Afghanistan to target U.S. interests in Afghanistan and the Afghan war is becoming more intense and bloody.

“The Syria conflict will make the war against America in Afghanistan more intense and more bloody,” Afghan political commentator Ahmad Saidee said.

The United States is the biggest strategic ally of Afghanistan while Russia and Iran are also having relations with the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, but they have increased their influence over the anti-government militants.

“If the [Syria] tension between America and Russia does not resolve, it will have a negative impact on Afghanistan as reportedly Moscow is supporting the Taliban in north of Afghanistan,” international relations expert Barna Salehi said.

Meanwhile, an Afghan lawmaker believes that Kabul should support Washington regional and international policies against Tehran and Moscow.

“When it comes to the relation between Russia and America, we are an ally of the United States,” second deputy speaker of the lower house of Afghanistan Nazir Ahmad Ahmadzai stated.

The concerns come after the U.S. forces on Friday attacked a Syrian airbase with at least 59 cruise missiles in response to a deadly chemical attack that struck the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib and the relations between Russia-U.S. significantly damaged.

By Bais Hayat & Hesamuddin Hesam