(Click To Enlarge)Image from Stratfor
From Reuters/Alertnet:
MOSCOW, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Russia has granted NATO-member Germany permission to ship weapons and equipment for its force in Afghanistan overland through Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The agreement showed Russia's willingness to cooperate with the Western military alliance over Afghanistan despite sharp disagreements over the war in Georgia, NATO enlargement and Washington's plans to build a missile shield in Europe.
"The Federal Customs Service has issued a general permission for ... transit by rail through Russian territory of the Bundeswehr's arms, military equipment and military goods to Afghanistan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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My Comment: This is (1) a gesture to Europe and to the new incoming U.S. administration, and (2) an awareness that an Al Qaeda and Taliban dominated country on your border is not a good idea, and that (3) the enemy of your enemy is maybe your friend.