WI - Soviets retain control of Badakhshan after Afghan pull-out?

What if, after the Soviets pull-out of Afghanistan in 1988/89 (or earlier/later in an ATL) they retain control of Badakhshan (the 'pan-handle' in the north-east) and/or other areas?

I don't think that the retention of Badakhshan itself would be that useful or cause many butterflies, especially after the USSR is 'disolved'. What could be interesting is if the Soviets through whatever means annex the entire north-eastern corner of Afghanistan as far south and including the Khyber Pass. I can't post a map at this time but i'm imagining a border running from the Uzbek-Tajiki border, between Mazar-e-Sharif and Konduz, then south-easterly, between Kabul and Jalalabad to the Pakistani border.

After 'peace' is declared between the Soviets and Afghans, Pakistan would find it's northern provinces pincered between the USSR and India. I'm thinking the following effects could be seen:

1. An even more paranoid Pakistan, wary of being trapped between two nations it doesn't trust.
2. Soviet troops stationed in large numbers to fight insurgents. These troops being in close proximity to the border with Pakistan.
3. Pakistan growing closer to the West to guard against the Soviet 'threat'.
4. No coalition in Afghanistan.
5. The communist puppet regime in Afghanistan lasting longer.

What i'm asking is, would the world have been better today if the Soviets had had a little bit of success, rather than none at all?

:)
 
What if, after the Soviets pull-out of Afghanistan in 1988/89 (or earlier/later in an ATL) they retain control of Badakhshan (the 'pan-handle' in the north-east) and/or other areas?

I don't think that the retention of Badakhshan itself would be that useful or cause many butterflies, especially after the USSR is 'disolved'. What could be interesting is if the Soviets through whatever means annex the entire north-eastern corner of Afghanistan as far south and including the Khyber Pass. I can't post a map at this time but i'm imagining a border running from the Uzbek-Tajiki border, between Mazar-e-Sharif and Konduz, then south-easterly, between Kabul and Jalalabad to the Pakistani border.

After 'peace' is declared between the Soviets and Afghans, Pakistan would find it's northern provinces pincered between the USSR and India. I'm thinking the following effects could be seen:

1. An even more paranoid Pakistan, wary of being trapped between two nations it doesn't trust.
2. Soviet troops stationed in large numbers to fight insurgents. These troops being in close proximity to the border with Pakistan.
3. Pakistan growing closer to the West to guard against the Soviet 'threat'.
4. No coalition in Afghanistan.
5. The communist puppet regime in Afghanistan lasting longer.

What i'm asking is, would the world have been better today if the Soviets had had a little bit of success, rather than none at all?

:)

The world would be a better place if the Soviets had any small victory.


Communism is always way better than Islamofascism
 
The world would be a better place if the Soviets had any small victory.


Communism is always way better than Islamofascism

Even if this led to a nuclear-armed Pakistan having even greater tensions with nuclear-armed India, with nuclear-armed Russia (who was involved in a Cold War with nuclear-armed USA and nuclear-armed allies) being brought into the mix? Pakistan and India having territorial claims on each other and having fought actual wars.

Esentially the scenario I have proposed is likely to force Pakistan and India to choose sides in the Cold War.

North is actually looking for an informed debate, against the grain, I know.

:)
 
Even if this led to a nuclear-armed Pakistan having even greater tensions with nuclear-armed India, with nuclear-armed Russia (who was involved in a Cold War with nuclear-armed USA and nuclear-armed allies) being brought into the mix? Pakistan and India having territorial claims on each other and having fought actual wars.

Esentially the scenario I have proposed is likely to force Pakistan and India to choose sides in the Cold War.

North is actually looking for an informed debate, against the grain, I know.

:)

Ok well the 3 big cold wars going on at the time would likely merge.

USA,NATO,Pakistan,China v USSR,WP,India.
 
So Pakistan and China become firm allies of the West, India joins the Warsaw Pact?
Any Islamic terrorists target the USSR and it's allies as they're the ones 'occupying' north-eastern Afghanistan.
The 'links' between the USSR and India lead to benefits for both of them and the USSR doesn't disintegrate. Germany stays divided.
North Korea loses its 'ally' China to the West and possibly caves in on itself, Korea becomes unified.
Communism is totally abandoned in China, China westernizes quicker with everything that entails.
More countries 'choose sides' in the Cold War, following Pakistan, China and India's examples?

:)
 

Ak-84

Banned
Are you guys kidding me. If the Soviets annex the Wakhan strip, when the USSR goes belly up two years later, the new C Asia republics are contigious to Pakistan, thus Pakistan can deal directly with them, build land routes through and generally tell Afghanistan to bugger off.

You have pretty much made every Pakistan strategists dream come true.
 
Are you guys kidding me. If the Soviets annex the Wakhan strip, when the USSR goes belly up two years later, the new C Asia republics are contigious to Pakistan, thus Pakistan can deal directly with them, build land routes through and generally tell Afghanistan to bugger off.

You have pretty much made every Pakistan strategists dream come true.



I've posted a map of the area that I'm talking about so that anyone who is interested can see the area I'm talking about in more detail.

I'd never considered what AK-84 had said, but it makes total sense.

Maybe direct engagement with Pakistan will central Asian nations 'progress' and we'd see higher standards of living in those countries?

Pakistan's influence in the region; does anyone know if that'll be advanced in this region? And what effects this would have?

:)
 

Hashasheen

Banned
The world would be a better place if the Soviets had any small victory.


Communism is always way better than Islamofascism

Please don't use that term. It annyows me. :)

And on to the topic, I have to agree with Ak-84. With this in the wat, Pakistan bhas little reason to use Afganisatan is anything byt a bufgffer versus Iran and maybe install a Pashtun -=domianted goverment
 

Ak-84

Banned
I suspect Pakistan would find the 1990's the be a VERY good decade, industry which struggled historically would be boosted by trade, Pakistan, the Frontier would become an economic hub.

P
 
I suspect Pakistan would find the 1990's the be a VERY good decade, industry which struggled historically would be boosted by trade, Pakistan, the Frontier would become an economic hub.

P

Do you think that this would help the Soviet Union too? Maybe with the Indian subcontinent, especially Pakistan, becoming a manufacturer of cheap goods for the Soviets, much as China supplies the US and Europe?

:)
 
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