Herat's ancient grand blue mosque. Photo by Anuj Chopra

IRAN IN AFGHANISTAN, FRIENDLY FOE

by Anuj Chopra

HERAT, Afghanistan -- Unlike much of Afghanistan, there are no signs of war in Herat. Far from the dangerous haunts of the Taliban, life in this ancient town on the western border with Iran is peaceful. And there is an economic boom — all thanks to its western neighbour. Machines of local factories never stop whirring during the day; there is 24-hour electricity supply here — largely provided by Iran. Its macadamised roads lined with pine trees are illuminated by streetlights, in stark contrast with the capital Kabul where long outages are frequent. And its markets are flooded with cheap Iranian goods: tea, rice and mounds of kimia dates. Peace finally prevails in this 5,000-year-old town, which has been besieged and annexed several times in its troubled history. There has been little insurgent activity since the Taliban — who are despised by the locals for practising a murderous brand of Sharia — were routed out of power by the Americans, six years ago. But beneath the seeming calm, Western officials warn, trouble is brewing. Accusations are mounting of Iran using Afghanistan — just like Iraq — as a buffer to expand its long-smouldering proxy war against America...
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/08/16/10147009.html