Development of “New” Silk Road for Afghanistan

By Angela H. -

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has tasked U.S. embassies in Central Asia to re-categorize existing and planned U.S. funded projects to align with the “New Silk Road” policy. The policy attempts increase the economic presence of the US in the region. The Silk Road initiative includes overlaying the South and Central Asian region with natural gas pipelines, railways, and an electricity grid and modern highways in Afghanistan. It is hoped that increasing economic stability in Afghanistan will help stabilize and secure the region after troop withdrawal.

Doubts concerning the policy include the lack of private interest. There is also concern as to whether or not such long term plans can flourish in such a time of instability following the war. Afghanistan’s lack of partners in the region, corruption, and inhospitable environmental conditions may also hinder the implantation of such a policy.

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