Prelude To War: World War 3 (Steve Case Thriller Book 1)

by Phillip Strang

It was Lukin who replied. ‘I doubt it. They are now conducting similar exercises on their side of the border.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ the president responded in a detached manner. ‘They are not capable of mounting a tangible military force against our superior men and machinery.’

  ‘What about the Warlords? Can we rely on their assistance if we attempt to thwart the Americans?’ Ivanov asked.

  ‘I don’t see why they would prefer us to the Americans,’ the president said.

  ‘The Taliban will have no issue to taking our money, regardless of past history,’ Kabanoff said.

  ‘Mullah Omar, has he been seen?’ Ivanov asked.

  ‘Not yet.’ Romenskaya had no information to offer.

  ‘We believe that the Americans would prefer to wait for his reappearance, before launching their exercise to remove the Taliban.’ Kabanoff was adept at pre-guessing American policy.

  ‘When was he last seen?’ Ivanov asked, constantly aiming to establish his credentials with the president. Not that he had much to say of importance, and certainly no additional knowledge that contributed to the discussions.

  Kabanoff answered the question. ‘He has not been seen for at least fourteen to fifteen years. The last confirmed sighting was of his disappearing into Pakistan on the back of a motorcycle. Apart from that, he has remained out of sight. Most people believe he is in the area of Quetta, not far from Kandahar. He may not even be alive. There are regular statements and commands attributed to him, but it may be a Taliban tactic to keep the world guessing.’

  ‘How would the Taliban react if it was proven that he was dead?’ the president asked.

  ‘That is difficult to answer with any certainty. It will cause dissension and sorrow in the rank and file, but if his death had been years ago, the new leadership would have secured control. If the Americans managed to kill him, the Taliban, at least, in the short term would be disoriented.’

  ‘Gentlemen, we have talked extensively in general conversation regarding the situation in Afghanistan, the American aggression, and our plans to respond. I would ask if we could now formalise our discussions with a presentation by all those present.’ Ivanov finally managed to wrest full control of the meeting at the Security Council at the Kremlin.

  ‘Mr President, I would ask you to say a few words prior to commencement.’ Ivanov, as always, was aware of the need to ensure his leader was shown the correct deference.

  ‘Ivanov is right. We have heard a lot about what is happening, what we are planning to do. We need specific actions. Our move to the northern border of Afghanistan has been in abeyance for a long time. As Kabanoff inferred, and I concur, it has always been our intention to claim the countries on our border, not only in the South, to the West as well. Those in the South, see themselves as part of Asia, those in the West, as part of Europe. They are all wrong. They are all part of the Russian Empire. The sooner they realise, the better.

  ‘It is our culture and our heritage that commands us. We have the possibility, courtesy of America, of reclaiming the first four countries. It is clear, if our military passes through these countries, they will not all be coming back.

  ‘I would ask for an update as to what America’s plans are, and what our plans will be in response. As Kabanoff has clearly stated, it seems illogical that they have let the Taliban come back without any visible response. This cannot be without reason, and they must have another objective to deal with the situation down there. They, like us, are not going to allow Afghanistan to be taken by these fundamentalists, and they are certainly not going to let the substantial wealth in the country remain neglected. There must be a plan, and we as a group should be able to deduce that plan. I would ask the people assembled here to give me their evaluation.’

  Ivanov addressed the assembled meeting. ‘Mr President, thank you. Gentlemen, we have conducted the analysis. It appears that there are two issues to consider. Firstly, the intention of America to take control of the minerals, oil and natural gas in Afghanistan. And secondly, the strategy they have in place, namely, for us to try to understand the reasoning that the Taliban have been allowed to reassert their position down in the South West of the country, and thirdly, when and how we should react.

  ‘Let me summarise. Coming back to the first question, America is still preparing to enter with their mining teams. All mines which are leased to a foreign company are now abandoned. That was primarily the Chinese and the Indians; they will not come back considering the current situation in the country, and even if they could extract it, they would never be able to get it out of the country.

  ‘Iran and America have struck a deal to allow the crossing of the Afghan and Iranian border north of Kandahar. The route into and out of the country may be there, but it remains totally unusable.

  Secondly, why has the Taliban been allowed to come back? This is a more vexed question, and for that, I will ask our senior analyst on Afghanistan, Igor Kabanoff to respond.’

  In the months since the fall of Kandahar, the Taliban had strengthened their hold on the country. Their controlling of the main highway in the country was an effective stranglehold on any commerce of substance. Certain areas of the country appeared to maintain a degree of normality, but they were few. Herat and Mazar in the North were firmly in the control of Warlords. They called themselves Provincial Governors, but they were Warlords, and their private armies were extensive. Kunduz to the east was under constant daily bombardment by the Taliban operating out of Uzbekistan, but Archie and his team had seen that possibility. They had regarded it the same as in Kandahar. If the Taliban were in Kunduz, as well as in Kandahar, they were at least visible and possibly the leadership would not be as reticent to show their face.

  Igor and his team, however, had not had much assistance and very little funding in the early days. The vexed issue of the countries between Russia and Afghanistan had always made it impossible to conceive. Russia would certainly not contemplate moving through those countries, purely for what they could take in Afghanistan, but now the situation was different. They had to go there, and they had a reason. Igor and his group, had due to American activities in the region received the funding they needed, and the offices and the facilities that were vital. They were a similar grouping to that found in New York, and their minds acted in a similar manner. They had had time since the initial threatening of Russia against American aggression, to evaluate all the scenarios put before them. They could clearly see the American logic to go back in, they could understand the Iran option, but the Taliban, and why they had been allowed to come back had eluded them. It just seemed illogical, and plainly contrary to the American behaviour they understood. There had to be another reason, an innovative and apparently esoteric plan. Igor and his team needed to think in a similar manner.

  Igor had only just started to embrace Fred’s new regime of healthy living and exercise. His problem had been borscht and vodka. He was, as Fred, smart and astute.

  ‘Mr President, the question of the American advance appears fairly clear. They will enter within the next three to six months. As it appears, they are not yet in the vicinity of the country, and as their point of entry would be Port Chabahar in Iran, we believe that we will have, at least, three months’ prior knowledge of their crossing of the Afghan border.

  ‘Assuming that the vast amount of materials, machinery and manpower would come from the USA, then we should monitor for unusual activity at ports around that country. Mining machinery, fencing, accommodation, and heavy transportation vehicles would seem to be the logical items to look for. Once they leave the ports, assume four to five weeks to Iran, then the unloading and moving to the border. Twelve weeks appears to be sound.

  ‘The more difficult question is the Taliban. What is America planning? We can only assume there is a plan to neutralise. But how?

  ‘We are aware that while the Taliban are resurgent in Afghanistan, there have still been covert operations conducted by the Americans to remove some of the leadershi
p. Kandahar was not defendable, and that the Americans purposely abandoned the Afghan Army to their fate.

  ‘The office in New York that we attempted to infiltrate, is clearly the American’s strategic centre.’

  ‘I have not considered my actions regarding this incompetence.’ The president directed his glance towards Foreign Intelligence Service Director Romenskaya.

  ‘Whoever they may be,’ Kabanoff continued, ‘we have to admit that we cannot but admire what they are planning. It is subtle yet devious, bold while risky. It is to be applauded.’

  ‘I agree with Kabanoff. We can admire, but we must stop them.’ The president wished he had some of the team in New York advising him. Kabanoff was on solid ground, but Ivanov and Romenskaya were close to reassignment. Reassignment to where, the president hadn’t decided. Ivanov was sycophantic, and Romenskaya had failed in one task, he had failed to find out what the Americans were up to.

  ‘Please continue, Kabanoff.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr President.’

  ‘The first clear notification that the Americans are on their way will come from Director Romenskaya.’

  ‘Please explain?’

  ‘Director Romenskaya’s people will have first knowledge. The American’s arrival in Port Chabahar will be visible and undeniable. At that time, we claim validation of our earlier statement regarding America and Iran. And then, concurrently, we move our troops to the Northern border of Kazakhstan.

  ‘No need for us to cross at this time; it will not take us long from there to Afghanistan. At the Kazakhstan border, we wait. America and the world will see us there, and they will take note. At this time, we have committed no act of violation in another country. We wait and see what transpires with the Americans and the Taliban. If the Americans move from Port Chabahar to the Afghan border, it will take their advance teams at least three days. It is about the same time as we require.

  ‘The Americans cannot cross into Afghanistan with the Taliban in control. We should assume that concealed within their mining teams will be some members of the American military, and some weaponry. It will not be enough to fight the Taliban.’

  Foreign Minister Aleksandr Litvinov, a tall, distinguished man in his fifties, a true aristocrat from the time of the Tsars, asked a direct question. ‘You have mentioned the term “neutralise” earlier. Is this a euphemism? What does it mean precisely?’

  ‘They intend to eliminate the Taliban,’ Igor Kabanoff stated clearly.

  ‘As I said before, it is an admirable plan. Why have we not contemplated such actions before?’ the president asked.

  ‘I believe Stalin did, but he was indiscriminate and acted against his own people,’ the Foreign Minister stated.

  ‘That’s not a good example,’ The president replied, angry again that such a name was mentioned. ‘He does not reflect well on Russia.’

  ‘Let us discuss what you mean by targeted. What do you see as possible numbers?’ Foreign Minister Aleksandr Litvinov attempted to divert the conversation away from his unfortunate mention of a disgraced past president.

  ‘The number must be in the tens of thousands,’ Kabanoff said.

  ‘You can’t be serious,’ The president staggered by the numbers, exclaimed.

  ‘It must be in that order.’

  ‘Astounding. If they intend to remove that many people, we have an additional validation to move through Kazakhstan.’

  ‘Why do we care if they kill the Taliban?’ Secretary Ivanov, obtusely failed to see the point.

  ‘What don’t you get?’ the president had decided that he had to go. ‘Of course, we don’t care; kill them all if they want. The World community and the U.N. will condemn the United States of America. We will seize the opportunity, and move into Afghanistan to protect the good people of Afghanistan from the cruel and savage Americans, the normal words. It is wonderful. We should thank the Americans for the rebirth of the Russian Empire.’

  The president summarised the meeting. ‘We are clear in what we must do. We must move sufficient military and troops closer to the northern border of Kazakhstan, and wait for America. When America acts, whether it is mining teams in Iran or the elimination of the Taliban, we cross the border into Kazakhstan and move to the northern border of Afghanistan.

  ‘In the meantime, we wait and see, but we must remain ever vigilant. The Americans are proving to be a formidable opponent. We must never underestimate them. It appears that they are receiving some extremely strong and detailed strategy advice. From what I have heard here today, I believe that we are receiving advice of an equal substance.’

  Chapter 24

  The resurgent Taliban and Russia’s interest in Afghanistan, had caused discussion and focus to be diverted away from the original catalyst for the think tank in New York. It had not however been forgotten. It was still very much on the agenda, and the planned move into Afghanistan was still to occur. Its timing had been delayed, but that had been to the advantage of those responsible for this activity. It was the critical component and the reference for Archie’s Taliban exercise.

  Grace Tang from Howland Mining, Gordon Marshall, the logistics expert with Major General Roger ‘Digger’ Richards for procurement had been continuing their planning during the intervening period. Delays inevitably occur, and it was the first quarter of 2017 before the green light was given. The route through Port Chabahar in Iran was clear, the group that Chris Haviland, the presidential business advisor, had joined at the American president’s instigation had cleared the way. The Russians knew of the deal, the Americans had denied, the truth was soon to be revealed.

  It would take six weeks to move all the material to the various ports around the U.S and another four weeks before they were in Iran. They would be taking a lot, and it was only for securing of the sites. There was no mention of extraction. This initial phase would be taking a total of over seven hundred personnel, nearly three hundred vehicles, the fencing materials, and all the accommodation that was required.

  The date to exit the USA was set for the first week of April 2017. The Taliban elimination date of commencement was to be the same week. All the personnel in New York, Afghanistan and over the border in Pakistan were ready. It just remained for the overall commander of the operation to give the command to go. This was a presidential decision. It was a formality, but he had to give the order.

  There was, as to be expected, great deliberating as to the final command to initiate. Everyone from the president down had concerns. Even Archie and he had formulated the plan. This was high risk, there was going to be a large number of fatalities. The operatives in the field knew the risks. They had all been given the option to pull out, no one did. Some saw the financial gain, others the need to be part of the cleansing operation, and some others because this is what they relished. This was their life, and they could think of nowhere than here at this present moment.

  Finally, the deadline came; a decision had to be made. Meetings at the White House and Pentagon continued for at least thirty-six hours with minimal breaks. There were those who maintained that the U.S right to self-defence, as laid out in Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, gave a clear directive of the right of the U.S government, to target persons who are perceived as a threat to U.S persons, both in and out of the declared theatres of war. This would clearly allow for strikes into Pakistan.

  Further statements by the President of the USA had extended Article 51, in as far as the U.S was concerned, to include non-U. S personnel. He defined it to be a policy that respects the inherent dignity of every human life.

  Counter arguments, whereas valid, would not waiver the decision to act. Afghanistan and the Pakistan governments would raise significant criticism over the collateral civilian deaths as a result of the drones, although the Pakistan military, had in the past asked the U.S. to assist in the removal of an insurgent of concern.

  There was also a growing movement, especially in Pakistan for the elimination of the Taliban. This was not by the inevitable minorities i
n the country, but respected Shia and Sunni groups. A number of leading Muslim scholars had joined in the call for an Anti-Taliban Day, and a move by the Pakistan military to remove them. They had seen the peace talks with the Taliban and described negotiations as unconstitutional.

  In the end, it came to the President of the United States as Commander in Chief. He had constantly been updated on all the discussions, all the planning, and all the detail. He had never been under any illusion that the operation was to go ahead.

  Archie had been invited to the White House Security Council meeting, but he was to stand at the back of the room and remain inconspicuous. The president had organised it as a personal favour.

  With the right people assembled, and a consensus, the president issued the directive. ‘I hereby authorise actions in Afghanistan to commence,’ he pronounced, ‘and subsequently signed multiple documents as required by the bureaucracy.

  Archie would no longer be in the driving seat. He would now take an advisory role in the operation. A delegation of command had been given, and a well disciplined and highly organised task force sprang into action. The Command Centre in Washington was now on lockdown, with those monitoring and involved, staying at their posts during the operation.

  Never had an operation of this nature and severity been carried out in such large numbers. It made a lot of people very uneasy. All the people at the Command Centre would do their jobs, although some would be left traumatised.

  The signal to the operatives in the field went out. They all had a detailed agenda with times of action. Steve, an integral part of the activities unfolding, was thrust into a very dangerous position, and his part in these activities would become known in the near future, especially to the Taliban. He was aware within minutes of the White House declaration. It was an email from Fred stating that the project was to proceed without delay. He would now feed the signal to the waiting operatives along the various channels of communication. Those communication channels varied, as to whether the operative was deep undercover in Afghanistan or Pakistan. The coordinators would relay the information, anyone of them could be Taliban, anyone could have been feeding information to the wrong people.