Is Russia Making Moves On Afghanistan?

[WestVirginiaRebel]

NPR:

Some believe Moscow's seizing on the Islamic State's rise in Afghanistan as an opportunity to expand Russian influence. A flurry of visits to Moscow by Afghan officials added to speculation, and kindled concerns among Afghans with grim memories of Soviet occupation in the 1980s, although no one predicts troops on the ground.

 

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

 

Russia captured the world's attention when its military intervened in Syria. Some officials in Iraq have suggested they might accept Russian help. And this has left some people in Afghanistan wondering, is Russia once again eyeing their country? NPR's Philip Reeves has the story.

 

PHILIP REEVES, BYLINE: It's not easy to raise a laugh in Afghanistan. The makers of this populist satirical TV show, "Boiling Point," are willing to try.

 

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "BOILING POINT")

 

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: (Foreign language spoken).

 

REEVES: They've sent an actor disguised as a Russian into the Afghan countryside. Concealed beneath shades and a big leather hat, the fake Russian tries to sell guns to the locals.

 

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "BOILING POINT")

 

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2: (Foreign language spoken).

 

REEVES: The silly accents and even sillier clothes make it clear this is comedy. Though, it's also meant to discourage Afghans from buying illegal weapons. Yet, this show has an extra edge to it because right now Russia's interest in Afghanistan is a hot topic here.

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