Elements of Scorpion: A Covert Ops Novel continue to show up in the news. In my book, Russian organized crime factions, with the blessing of the Kremlin, are arming the Taliban. And now in reality, the Kremlin is providing arms to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Russian Foreign Ministry has also opened diplomatic channels with the Taliban and supports the Taliban's position demanding the removal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.Putin has even met with Taliban leaders at a military base in Tajikistan. Both Russia and the Taliban have denied the claim, though.
The Taliban are essentially the product of the anti-Soviet mujaheedin, so why is Russia supporting their former enemies? Because one of Russia's greatest security concerns is that ISIS, already present in Afghanistan, will spread into the neighboring, former Soviet republics of Central Asia, all of which are home to poor, repressed Muslim populations. Especially as ISIS loses territory in Syria and Iraq, their fighters are fleeing mostly to Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Russia's not alone. China, concerned about Islamic extremism spreading to their restless Xinjiang province, has also opened diplomatic relations with the Taliban. Of course, in addition to their concerns about the spread of ISIS, both Russia and China would also like to see American and NATO military forces removed from the region.
And speaking of Scorpion, I've completed Scorpion II. Now it's time to sit on it for a couple weeks before going back with a refreshed mind for final edits. Expect it June/July.
