Afghan and Iran Ties May Deepen

President Karzai recently visited Iran in an attempt to strengthen the bond between Iran and Afghanistan. This visit may possibly be an attempt to persuade the United States that Afghanistan has other options other than relying on the U.S. for military and economic support. While a regional solution to the Afghan conflict certainly is welcome it is doubtful if the regional players (Iran, Pakistan, and others) will feel compelled to assist Afghanistan if the U.S. completely exits from Afghanistan. Iran would be very reluctant to see a return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan; yet it hesitates to see a continued United States presence in Afghanistan. Learn more in a recent news article entitled "Iran Looks to Deepen Ties to Afghanistan", Voice of America, December 19, 2013.