Russian Decision Could Complicate Supply Lines to Afghanistan

In response to NATO's recent suspension of military cooperation with Moscow, Russian Federation Council Defense and Security Committee Chairman Viktor Ozerov proposed cutting access to parts of the Northern Distribution Network, the transportation corridor for NATO into Afghanistan. Discontinuing access to the routes would not threaten the combat power of the remaining NATO-led International Security Assistance Force or its ability to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. It would, however, impose significantly greater costs and at least temporarily restore to Pakistan some of the leverage it held when it was the sole supply route for coalition forces.