Citing Threats Against Truck Drivers The US Military Has Halted Ground Shipments From Afghanistan Via Pakistan

NATO supply lines crossing through the Pakistani territory. Wikipedia

Pentagon Says Halts Ground Shipments Out Of Afghanistan Via Pakistan -- Reuters

The U.S. military has halted ground shipments of cargo leaving Afghanistan via its key Pakistan supply route to ensure the safety of drivers following protests in Pakistan over American drone strikes, a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday.

The affected route, which runs from Torkham Gate at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to the Pakistani port city of Karachi, has been crucial for the United States as it winds down its combat mission in landlocked Afghanistan and moves equipment out of the country.

The route accounts for the vast majority of ground traffic of U.S. military cargo through Pakistan and has been targeted by protesters in Pakistan angered by U.S. drone strikes.

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More News On The US Military Halting Ground Shipments From Afghanistan Via Pakistan

US halts shipments from Afghanistan through Pakistan -- AFP
Citing risk of Pakistani protests, US halts shipments out of Afghanistan -- FOX News/AP
US army halts shipments from Afghanistan via Pakistan -- BBC
U.S. military halts cargo shipments out of Afghanistan -- CNN
US halts military shipments out of Afghanistan -- The Guardian
US Military Halts Shipments Through Pakistan -- Voice of America
US halts shipments from Afghanistan -- The Australian
Pakistani protests threaten NATO supply lines to Afghanistan -- Christian Science Monitor

Pakistani Political Leader Threatens To Close NATO Supply Routes From Afghanistan

Laris Karklis/The Washington Post.

Pakistani Political Leader Says NATO Supply Routes Will Be Cut If U.S. Drone Strikes Continue -- Washington Post

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The chief political leader in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province threatened Thursday to choke off key NATO supply routes if U.S. drone strikes on Pakistan continue, setting up a potential clash within the country’s national government.

Imran Khan, whose Movement for Justice party controls the northwestern province, said he feared that continued drone strikes would undermine efforts by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to hold peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban. Sharif said Thursday that dialogue has begun, though Taliban officials stress that the process will quickly unravel if the U.S. drone program is not halted. The latest suspected strike occurred Wednesday night.

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Update: ‘Stop drones or we stop Nato supplies’ - Imran Khan -- Gulf News

My Comment: This type of behavior is becoming all to predictable from Pakistan .... sign secret agreements on drone strikes ... and then condemn them or have someone else do the condemning and issuing of threats. I guess the U.S. was too quick in releasing this money two weeks ago.

Despite Pakistani Promises, NATO's Afghan Supply Routes Are Still Closed

NATO supply routes through Pakistan. Wikipedia

Pakistan To Restore NATO's Afghan Oil Supply Line After 12-Month Hiatus -- Long War Journal

While the US has been distracted by the presidential election, the Syrian conflict, and jihadist outbursts in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, the Gaza strip and elsewhere, Pakistan has been moving at a glacial pace to restore NATO's critical oil supply line to Afghanistan.

The logistical supply lines, but not the oil supply lines, were opened in July after an apology two months earlier by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a US attack on a Pakistani military outpost in Mohmand on the night of Nov. 25-26, 2011 that left 25 Pakistani soldiers dead. US forces in Afghanistan attacked the Salala outpost just across the border after receiving fire from the outpost and sending up signal flares that were ignored.

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Update: Pakistan war supply routes still not fully open -- Military Times

My Comment: How come I am not surprised.

U.S. - Pakistan Agree To Allow Supply Routes To Afghansitan Until 2015

Paramilitary soldiers escort a convoy of trucks carrying supplies for NATO troops before crossing into Afghanistan from the Pakistan border town of Chaman on July 16, 2012. Pakistan and the U.S. reached a deal to reopen land routes that NATO uses to supply troops in Afghanistan. Stringer/Pakistan/REUTERS

U.S., Pakistan Sign Deal To Allow Supply Routes Through 2015 -- Washington Post

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan will allow NATO supply convoys to cross its territory into Afghanistan until the end of 2015, one year beyond the deadline for withdrawal of U.S. combat forces there, under an agreement signed on Tuesday by U.S. and Pakistani officials.

The pact seems to close, for now, one of the most contentious chapters in the long-turbulent relationship between Washington and Islamabad, cementing cooperation by Pakistan in winding down the war in Afghanistan at least in terms of logistical assistance. Washington also has urged Islamabad to step up its participation in the peace process by bringing to the negotiating table militant groups that shelter in Pakistani’s tribal belt and regularly cross the border to attack NATO troops.

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More News On Pakistan And The US Agreeing To Maintain The Supply Lines Until 2015

Pakistan, US sign troop supply deal -- AP
Pakistan, US sign NATO convoy deal -- AFP
U.S., Pakistan Formalize NATO Transit Deal -- RIA Novosti
Taliban happy Pakistan reopened NATO supply line -- AP

My Comment: What a waste of money .... but at least we now have a firm date on when our forces and equipment must be out of Afghanistan.

Islamists Protest In Pakistan Over The Reopening Of NATO Supply Routes

Pakistan’s Islamists who oppose their country’s anti-terror alliance with Washington burn U.S. and NATO flags during a rally over the reopening of a NATO supply route to Afghanistan. (Reuters)

Thousands Protest Reopening Of NATO Supply Routes In Pakistan -- L.A. Times

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Thousands of followers of leading Islamist clerics began marching Sunday from the eastern city of Lahore to the capital, Islamabad, to protest Pakistan’s decision to once again let NATO move Afghanistan-bound supply convoys through the country after a seven-month hiatus.

The caravan of protesters was organized by the Defense of Pakistan Council, a coalition of hard-line religious groups that has among its leaders Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, an Islamic cleric who India claims engineered the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people. The procession -- made up of buses, cars and motorcycles -- was peaceful and heading toward the capital without incident as of Sunday afternoon.

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More News On Islamists Protesting In Pakistan Over The Reopening Of NATO Supply Routes

Islamists protest NATO supply line in Pakistan -- FOX News/AP
Islamists protest US supply agreement -- Sydney Morning Herald
Pakistani Islamists protest over NATO supply route -- Al Arabiya

Everyone Is Happy that The NATO Supply Lines Have Been Re-Opened

Nato Supply Resumption A Boon For Afghan Taliban -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

While the Taliban are “offended” at Pakistan’s decision to lift a ban on Nato supplies, they are also apparently “glad” about the development.

The resumption of supply lines in Pakistan appears to be good news for the Afghan Taliban, as well as local militants, as the closure had deprived them of millions of dollars they used to receive as ‘protection charges’ from Isaf and Nato.

A prominent militant leader, known for his close ties with Mullah Omar, told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, that the Afghan Taliban and local militants who are active on the Pak-Afghan borders were “seriously annoyed” over the ban.

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My Comment: So everyone is happy about the re-opened supply routes. The diplomats are happy because they brokered a deal. The politicians are happy because they can now talk about "forward' progress. NATO and the US are happy because it now becomes easier for them to supply their troops. Pakistani truck drivers are happy because of the work that it will bring. Pakistan is happy because of the billions in aid that they will now receive. Suppliers and manufacturers are happy because of the orders that can now be filled. And .... the "coup de resistance" .... the Taliban are happy because they can now extort money from drivers and shippers.

The ones who should not be happy are the American taxpayers.

After 7-Month Closure First NATO Trucks Move Into Afghanistan From Pakistan

First NATO Trucks Move Into Afghanistan From Pakistan After 7-month Closure -- CNN

(CNN) -- Trucks carrying supplies to NATO troops crossed from Pakistan into Afghanistan for the first time in seven months on Thursday after Islamabad agreed to reopen routes, officials said.

The four trucks, under heavy security, crossed the border from Chaman in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Because Afghanistan is landlocked, many supplies for NATO-led troops fighting Islamic militants there have to be trucked in from Pakistan.

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More News On Pakistan Re-Opening Supply Lines to Afghanistan

First NATO Trucks Cross Re-Opened Pakistan Border -- NPR/AP
First NATO Truck Crosses Pakistan Border -- Wall Street Journal
Nato supply trucks cross Pakistan border after row -- BBC
NATO Supply Trucks From Pakistan Resume Trek to Afghanistan -- New York Times
NATO Supply Trucks Cross From Pakistan To Afghanistan -- RTT News
NATO’s wagons roll back into Afghanistan -- Euronews
Pakistan's high stakes over Nato's Afghan supply route -- M Ilyas Khan, BBC

A Blunt Assessment On The U.S. - Pakistan Agreement To Re-Open The Supply Lines

Pakistan To U.S.: You Bet You’re Sorry. Now Get Out. -- DoD Buzz

he Obama administration’s internal deliberations over whether to apologize to Pakistan will make a fascinating chapter in a future Bob Woodward book.

On one side, we’ll probably hear from the members of the Defense Department camp who say: This is stupid. We had nothing to apologize for. The Pakistanis opened fire on our guys well inside the Afghan border, our aircraft did several low passes to dissuade their attack and they kept it up, so we were well within our rights to defend ourselves.

On the other side, we’ll probably hear from the White House and State Department camp saying: “Who cares? We just wanted Afghanistan to be over.” That is the side that finally won out.

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Update: NATO Afghan Supply Convoys Resume -- Voice of America

My Comment: I would have changed the DoD Buzz headline to .... You Bet You’re Sorry. Now Give Us Our Money And Get Out.

Pakistan To Reopen NATO-Afghan Supply Lines After US Apology

Pakistan Agrees To Open Supply Lines After U.S. Apology -- Washington Post

Pakistan has agreed to open its border crossings to U.S. and NATO military transit to and from Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement Tuesday, ending a seven-month diplomatic standoff.

In a conversation Tuesday morning with Pakistan’s foreign minister, Clinton said, she again offered “our sincere condolences to the families” of 24 Pakistani soldiers who were killed in a cross-border U.S. air assault in November.

“We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military,” she said. “We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.”

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More News On Pakistan Re-Opening NATO-Afghan Supply Lines

Pakistan 'to re-open' supply lines to Nato Afghan forces -- BBC
US apology to Pakistan unlocks NATO supply line -- Christian Science Monitor
Clinton: Pakistan to Reopen NATO Supply Lines -- Voice of America
U.S. welcomes reopening of Pakistan-to-Afghanistan supply route -- L.A. Times
Pakistan ends dispute over Nato supply routes after Hillary Clinton apology -- The Guardian
Pakistan Opens NATO Supply Line as Clinton Apologizes -- New York Times
U.S., Pakistan reach deal to reopen Afghan supply routes -- Reuters
Pakistan ends blockade of Nato supply routes -- The Telegraph
Pakistan reopens NATO supply routes to Afghanistan -- CNN
Pakistan to let trucks roll into Afghanistan after Clinton apologizes for US airstrike -- MSNBC
Clinton Says NATO Supply Routes Through Pakistan Reopening -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Pakistan Reopens NATO Supply Route to Afghanistan -- RIA Novosti

Hint At Deal To Reopen NATO Supply Routes In Pakistan

U.S. And Pakistan Hint At Deal To Reopen NATO Supply Routes -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — American and Pakistani officials voiced cautious optimism on Monday that a deal to reopen NATO’s supply routes into neighboring Afghanistan was near, a move that would end a seven-month stalemate between the two countries.

Previous predictions of an imminent agreement have not been borne out, and officials from both countries refused on Monday to discuss details of what might be in the works, as if not to jinx this latest effort.

“Stay tuned,” one top American official said.

“Fingers crossed,” a senior Pakistani counterpart added.

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More News On U.S. - Pakistan Talks on Reopening NATO Supply Routes

Pakistan Cabinet to decide on NATO supply lines -- FOX News/AP
U.S., Pakistan deal seen soon on Afghan supply routes -- Chicago Tribune/Reuters
U.S. and Pakistan 'moving closer' to a deal to reopen Afghan border routes -- CNN
Pakistan in talks to open NATO routes -- UPI
NATO supply lines: Officials optimistic on striking a deal -- Hindustan Times/PTI
Senior Pakistani Officials Reportedly To Meet On Afghan Supply Routes -- Radio Free Europe
Pakistan route cut-off costs billions: US -- DAWN/AFP
Pak secretly allowing US supplies by air -- Hindustan Times

Pakistan's Closure Of NATO Supply Lines To Afghanistan Has Cost The U.S. Defense Department More Than $2.1 Billion

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brief reporters at the Pentagon, June 29, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sun L. Vega

DoD Reprograms $8B, Pakistan Closure Costs $2.1B -- Defense News

Pakistan’s refusal to let NATO access its ports and roads into Afghanistan has cost the U.S. Defense Department more than $2.1 billion in extra transportation costs to move supplies and equipment in and out of the country.

The stunning revelation of the exorbitant cost comes as the Pentagon continues to negotiate with Islamabad to regain access to the supply routes.

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My Comment: US Defense Secretary Panetta tries his best to put a positive spin on this situation with Pakistan by stating that .... 'at least we are talking'. In Pakistan .... they are gloating.

Pakistan's Closure Of Supply Lines To Afghanistan Costs The U.S. $100 Million

Wikipedia

Pakistan Rift Costs U.S. $100 Million Extra a Month -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The U.S. is spending an extra $100 million a month to get supplies into Afghanistan because of Pakistan's closure of key transit routes into the war zone, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday, putting a dollar figure for the first time on the added cost of the breakdown in relations with Islamabad.

Pakistan closed ground-resupply routes into Afghanistan after U.S.-led forces accidently killed two dozen Pakistani troops along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on Nov. 26.

Pakistan has demanded an apology for the deaths. The White House has offered condolences but has resisted apologizing, saying mistakes were made by both U.S. and Pakistani forces.

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My Comment: In response, Pakistan is being adamant that they are not trying to "gouge" NATO's Afghan routes .... while blaming Defense Secretary Panetta's Pakistan comments from last week for complicating the talks. Not surprising .... officials like Panetta are now suggesting that conditions should be put on US aid to Pakistan.

U.S. Pakistan Talks On Hold Over NATO Supply Routes To Afghanistan

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States was reaching the limits of its patience over the protection Pakistan offered to Islamist insurgents Photo: Reuters

US Tells Pakistan To 'Bite The Bullet' Over Nato Supply Routes -- The Telegraph

A senior US government official has said that Pakistan's government should "bite the bullet" and reopen supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan closed the transit routes in response to a cross border Nato air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November last year. Washington has refused to officially apologise for the deaths.

A team of US officials has been in Pakistan for the last 6 weeks in negotiations aimed at reopening the routes and in turn, easing tensions between the two countries.

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More News On U.S. - Pakistan Talks On NATO Supply Routes

Pakistan Downplays Stalemate With US on Supply Lines -- Voice of America
U.S. Breaks Off Pakistan Talks on Afghan Supply Routes -- Bloomberg Businessweek
US suspends NATO supply talks with Pakistan -- New York Daily News
US leaves unsettled supply talks with Pakistan -- AP
U.S. Takes Step Toward Exit in Pakistan Talks -- New York Times
US-Pakistan Talks On Reopening NATO Supply Routes Put On Hold -- RTT
US-Pakistan talks on Nato routes stall -- New York Daily News
US halts talks with Pakistan on supply routes. Could ties get any worse? -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

My Comment: Pakistan will not back down .... amd neither the U.S.. Who will be the biggest loser in this dispute .... in the short term the U.S., in the long term Pakistan.

U.S. - Pakistan Talks To Re-Open Supply Lines Have Collapsed

US Withdraws Supply Route Negotiators From Pakistan -- BBC

US negotiators who have been trying to reach a deal with Pakistan over a supply route to Nato troops in Afghanistan have quit the talks.

"The decision was reached to bring the team home for a short period of time," Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

The negotiators have, so far, failed to reach a deal.

Pakistan shut a Nato supply route in November after a Nato air strike near the Afghan-Pakistani border which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Part of the team left Islamabad over the weekend, and the rest will return shortly, Mr Little said.

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More News On The Collapse Of U.S. - Pakistan Talks On Re-Opening Supply Lines

Talks with Pakistan on reopening war supply routes stall; US negotiators leaving Islamabad -- Washington Post/AP
U.S. pulls negotiators from Pakistan, no supply deal -- Reuters
US pulls NATO supply route negotiators out of Pakistan -- AFP
Pentagon negotiators leave Pakistan after scant progress on closed border crossings -- FOX News
Pentagon: US-Pakistani talks stall as no agreement reached -- RT

Has NATO Found Alternative Supply Routes For Their Forces In Afghanistan?

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Has NATO Given Up On The Pakistan Border For Good? -- Joshua Keating, Foreign Policy

The AP reports that NATO has inked an agreement with several Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to allow the reverse transport of material out of Afghanistan:

Since NATO already has an agreement with Russia, the deal will allow it to ship back to Europe tens of thousands of vehicles, containers and other items through the overland route when the evacuation picks up pace later this year.

The Northern Distribution Network was once viewed as way to relieve some pressure on the more-traveled Pakistani route, but with the Pakistan border closed to NATO for the last six months since the accidental killing of 24 Pakistani troops, the arrangement is starting to feel a bit more permanent:

The announcement on Monday appears to indicate that Washington and the allies are now preparing for the possibility that the supply link through Pakistan, said to be about six times cheaper than its northern alternative, may not be reopened at all.

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My Comment: I said the same thing yesterday .... developing the northern route is good .... but we will still need to deal with Pakistan.

Why NATO Will Need To Make An Agreement With Pakistan For A Supply Route

U.S.-Pakistan Freeze Chokes Fallback Route In Afghanistan -- New York Times

SALANG PASS, Afghanistan — Nowhere is the impact of Pakistan’s ban on NATO truck traffic more visible than here at the top of the Hindu Kush, on one of the only alternative overland routes for supply convoys to reach Kabul and the rest of the country.

For 20 miles north and south of the old Soviet-built tunnel at Salang Pass, thousands of trucks are idled beside the road, waiting for a turn to get through its perilous, one-and-a-half-mile length.

This is the only passable route for heavy truck traffic bringing NATO supplies in from the Central Asian republics to the north, as they now must come.

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My Comment: What is the worse case scenario .... the following paragraph in this report spells out perfectly on why NATO supply routes are vulnerable ....

.... The Salang Pass tunnel, built in 1964 by the Soviets and never completely finished (it lacks amenities like interior surfacing of the walls and an escape tunnel), has a tragic history. Nine hundred Russians and Afghans reportedly died of asphyxiation in the tunnel in 1982 when a military convoy was trapped inside by an accident or an explosion.

A prediction .... a similar disaster is probably going to happen this year .... and yes .... we will need to go to the Pakistanis and make a deal .... and probably on their terms.

NATO Reaches Transit Deal With Three Central Asian Nations

NATO Reaches Transit Deal With Central Asian Nations -- CRIEnglish

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday said the alliance has reached agreements with three Central Asian nations, which would allow it to transport troops and equipments out of Afghanistan.

"We reached agreements on reverse transit from Afghanistan with three Central Asian partners: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. These agreements will give us a range of new options and the robust and flexible transport network we need," Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels.

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Update: NATO strikes overland transport deals -- CBS

My Comment: As to the possibility of NATO and Pakistan reaching a transit agreement .... after reading this I would have to assume the answer is no. For more on the deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relationship, go here.

U.S. - Pakistan Still Do Not Agree On Opening NATO Supply Routes To Afghanistan

U.S. Hopes For Breakthrough In Pakistan NATO Supply Route Talks -- Reuters

The United States hopes Pakistan will soon agree to re-open supply routes to NATO troops in Afghanistan, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a Senate panel threatened to cut aid to Islamabad over the standoff.

Pakistan closed the supply routes, seen as vital to the planned withdrawal of most foreign troops from Afghanistan before the end of 2014, in protest against last November's killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a NATO air attack along the Afghan border.

"Talks are ongoing and we hope to reach a resolution soon," the U.S. official told Reuters.

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More News On U.S. - Pakistan Disagreement On Re-Opening Supply Lines

US-Pakistan thaw swiftly becomes debacle -- AFP
Pakistan's 'tough line' after Chicago -- BBC
U.S. senators vote to tie Pakistan aid to supply routes -- Reuters
Zardari knows it’s important to re-open supply route: US diplomat -- First Post
Pakistan supply route is crucial to NATO’s Afghan exit -- Euronews

Kyrgyzstan And NATO Have Agreed To Allow The Transit Of Military Equipment To Afghanistan

Kyrgyzstan Allows NATO Transits -- RIA Novosti

Kyrgyzstan has signed an agreement with NATO to allow the transit of military cargo to and from Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry in Bishkek announced on Wednesday.

The deal was inked by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbayev and NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow during the weekend NATO summit in Chicago.

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My Comment: With Pakistan keeping NATO supply lines closed, this agreement was essential. This deal is to the end of 2014.

Will Pakistan Soften It's Position On NATO Supply Lines?

Pakistani Official: Position To Soften On NATO Supply Line -- Christian Science Monitor

An assistant to the Prime Minister says the country will show flexibility on the issue after NATO clearly expressed its displeasure in Chicago.

As President Asif Ali Zardari concludes his trip to Chicago for the NATO summit, observers in Pakistan say that Pakistan has been put in a more awkward position, and he will now have to convince his own countrymen to soften their demands on the United States – a difficult task.

Government officials are already hinting at the change of attitude that Pakistan will pursue once the president returns.

“We have to show flexibility in our stance, because it is in Pakistan’s mutual interest,” says Chaudry Fawad, who is the special assistant to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani.

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My Comment: I am very skeptical on what are Pakistani intentions. They want more money (this I understand) .... and even though some Pakistanis are now voicing concerns on what this approach may (or may not) bring .... the bottom line is most Pakistanis do not care .... and what is worse .... are probably happy to witness the problems that NATO is going through in Afghanistan right now.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was invited to the NATO summit because NATO expected him to announce an opening of the supply routes .... or at least a public announcement that Pakistan will accommodate and assist NATO/Afghanistan in their war against the Taliban. Instead .... he shows up demanding money and an apology. Talk about giving the wrong message to the dozens of governments who had to sit back and watch this spectacle.