Afghanistan & NATO

Slowly, an endless convoy of heavily loaded trucks coming from Pakistan is creeping over the Khyber Pass through the tribal areas toward Afghanistan. Jalalabad is a mere 60 km away, the Afghan capital of Kabul 240 km. For thousands of years, adventurers and explorers like the Persians under Darius, or the Greeks under the famous Alexander the Great traveled through this pass. White Huns, Mongols, Turks and Mughals, as well as Muslim conquerors like the famous Mahmoud of Gaza or Zaheerud Din Bar moved through these grey canyons on ancient caravan routes traveling from the West with their armies into the legendary India. In the 19th century, the British Crown tried and failed to militarily secure this strategically decisive gateway to its Indian colony. To this end, they founded the Guardians of Khyber Pass in 1878 and in 1925 constructed a railway line from Kabul to Peshawar.

The commander in charge of the legendary Khyber Guards has no problem at all with the Taliban in this area. A remarkable calm hangs over this most significant supply route in Afghanistan—through which more than 60% of the supplies for the nation and the ISAF troops are transported.