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

by Phillip Strang

  ‘The mining operation for the country is continuing. There were also some American undercover operatives in closed meetings, and there is a plan to deal with the Taliban.’

  ‘What was the plan?’ Kabanoff asked.

  ‘The meetings were extremely secretive, there is no information regarding their plan.’

  ‘Kabanoff and his team must be correct in their analysis. The Americans are going to eliminate the Taliban,’ the Russian President said. It was clear that only Kabanoff knew what he was talking about.

  ‘Then what do we do about it? The Taliban do not concern us as long as they stay in the south.’

  ‘We help the Taliban.’ Kabanoff offered his solution.

  ‘We discussed this before. Are you seriously saying this is the only way? You want me to agree to give weapons to these people?’ the president asked.

  ‘Yes, if you want to stop the Americans taking economic control of Afghanistan.’

  ‘If the Americans manage to put in place a significant presence in the country, it will only be a matter of time before they attempt to influence the countries to the north, and they belong to us.’

  ‘We should discuss what we know of their intended economic invasion,’ Kabanoff said.

  ‘We don’t know anything, at least, not of substance,’ Oleg Ivanov, Secretary of the Security Council said, attempting to reassert his position in the meeting.

  ‘What’s that got to do with it?’ The president responded with impatience. Ivanov was just speaking. Kabanoff made sense; he wanted to hear from him.

  ‘It is true, we do not know a great deal. Does that matter?’ Kabanoff asked.

  ‘No,’ the president answered.

  ‘We know they are planning to enter. We need to announce on the World stage, that the Americans are planning to invade through Iran.’ Kabanoff put forward a solution.

  ‘It will be seen as implausible, it has no credibility. Nobody will believe that Iran will allow America to transit with their military.’

  ‘Mr President, nobody will believe, but it will scupper the deal that we believe has been concluded. Besides, the Americans are not taking their military through Iran,’ Kabanoff said.

  ‘Let us be clear here. You are stating that the Americans are not using the military.’ The president expressed consternation.

  ‘Kabanoff’s statement is correct. The deal with Iran is purely the personnel and machinery involved in a mining venture,’ Ambassador Romenskaya stated. ‘My intelligence personnel have obtained a copy of the agreement.’

  ‘Then how do the Americans intend to enter Afghanistan? The Taliban will not let them through.’ The president queried.

  ‘As I stated, the Americans intend to eliminate the Taliban. Warlords and politicians can be bought,’ Kabanoff said, a little too smugly.

  ‘Kabanoff is right. Let’s make the announcement, let’s draw the inevitable rebuttal from America,’ The president said.

  ‘We need the usual rhetoric: American imperialism, invasion of a sovereign country, anti-Islam.’

  ‘We don’t need your assistance on how to use the World stage to attack the Americans,’ The president said, aiming to take the smugness out of Kabanoff.

  ***

  The day was cold and blustery in New York when the United Nations Security Council convened. The topic was to be the continuing destabilising events in the Middle East. Civil war continued to rage in Iraq and Syria, and the Jordanian Royal family had left the country in advance of the capital, Amman, capitulating to fundamentalist fighters out of Iraq. The Islamists had crossed the border into Turkey and were heading towards the capital, Ankara. Egypt and Libya were fast decaying into anarchy, and Israel was conducting multiple attacks into the West Bank. The situation, whereas it looked bleak, was minor compared to what Russia was about to announce.

  Mikhail Alexeyev, it was his fourth year as his country’s delegated representative at the building on 1st Avenue, rose to speak, ‘It has come to our attention that there is a covert organisation based in New York, under the auspices of the American Government, that are planning a major campaign in Afghanistan. It is clear from our investigations, that America with a substantial military presence intends to enter Afghanistan through Iran. We have a copy of the agreement that has been signed between these two countries. I will place this document on the public record.’

  ‘This is not true. It is a fabrication,’ Carol Palmer, the representative for the United States of America, responded. ‘There are no such plans.’ A career diplomat from Minnesota had through sheer hard work and capability found herself in a senior position at the United Nations. Unknown to her, she had stated a lie. She had denied the American plan, primarily because the military presence was incorrect, but more importantly, she had not been informed.

  ‘It is true, I have the proof,’ Alexeyev responded.

  ‘Please, may we have a calm and rational discussion?’ The President of the Security Council, Mrs Seromba, of Rwanda, attempted control.

  ‘Madam, on behalf of the United States of America, I cannot allow such scurrilous remarks to be made by Russia.’

  ‘I cannot allow the representative of the United States of America to sweep this under the table, with their usual bullying tactics and implausible denials,’ Alexeyev said, the tone of his voice raising. Quick to anger, he normally kept it under control, but it was starting to flare. He knew that his actions would be watched and judged by his president in Moscow. If he performed well, it would be accolades; badly, and his future was uncertain.

  ‘Show us the proof,’ Carol Palmer shouted. It was not the correct strategy. She had assumed it was rhetoric, but there was proof, and Alexeyev had the document.

  ‘I am tabling the document, and issuing a copy to all of the members at this table.’

  It was a subdued five minutes as they read their copy of the document. It was clear what it said.

  ‘I see no mention of troops passing through Iran,’ Sir George Belmont, the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, declared.

  ‘It is clear that Sir George Belmont is acting in defence of the United States. None of us here, are under any illusion that the United Kingdom is no more than the lapdog of the United States of America,’ Alexeyev quickly responded.

  ‘That is not true, and your statements are not in accordance with the propriety required in this council,’ Carol Palmer angrily said.

  ‘Please, could we have a calm and rational discussion? This is not a school debating society, this is the United Nations.’ Mrs Seromba, in the chair, continued her attempts to bring back a suitable dignity into the proceedings. Russia had no intention of backing off, and the United States of America could not allow such comments to be made without constant rebuttals.

  ‘It is clear that this meeting has decayed into an uncontrolled situation. I have no option but to declare this meeting of the Security Council closed,’ she stated, and rapidly left the room.

  Four hours later, Iran issued a statement denying an agreement existed. Next day, the internet and World media started to pick up on the story. Depending on the country reporting, the headline changed: In Russia, it was an aggressive military invasion of Afghanistan by the United States of America; the American and British press were more conciliatory. Their reporting focussed on a Russian ploy, to focus attention away from their assistance to the corrupt military dictatorships in the Middle East, and their assistance in terrorist activities against the West.

  ‘Where do we stand on this matter?’ the President of the United States asked the next day in the Oval Office.

  ‘We continue to deny.’ The Secretary of State took the pragmatic approach, deny everything.

  ‘Fred, what is the view of the think tank?’

  ‘We are in agreement with the Secretary of State. There is no need to respond, other than with blank denials.’ Fred Bull, as leader of the think tank in New York, was now acting as a presidential advisor.

  ‘What abo
ut this document they showed at the United Nations,’ Carol Palmer, who had so vehemently denied America’s plans at the United Nations, asked.

  ‘Iran has stated that it is false,’ Fred responded.

  ‘Is that true?’ Carol Palmer asked.

  ‘That is what Iran said.’ Fred further emphasised the denial from the Iranian Government.

  ‘That’s not what I asked.’

  ‘Carol, the document is valid. Iran and America have concluded an agreement,’ The president said.

  ‘My God, how could we do that? Iran is letting us take troops through there?’

  ‘There are no troops involved. It is, as the agreement states. It is purely mining equipment and personnel.’ Fred took the cue from the president. He felt that he could open up with some more information.

  ‘But that’s not possible. There is no way that the Taliban will let them enter Afghanistan. I am defending the United States of America, yet I do not have all the facts.’

  ‘You must continue to defend in the United Nations. The agreement with Iran is to be denied,’ the president stated.

  ‘I will perform my duty, but there is something I’m not being told. I am not very comfortable with this situation,’ Carol Palmer said.

  ‘You have been told all that you need to know. If the situation changes, you will be updated as needed,’ the president said.

  ‘There is no reason for concern on your part, Mr President. I will perform my duty.’

  ‘Thank you. I know that we can rely on you.’

  In the weeks to follow the President of Russia was constantly on the world stage denouncing the proposed American plan. A confident and articulate speaker, very comfortable with the media, he knew how to play it to advantage. His pronouncements were persuasive, full of brevity as he portrayed America as the world’s bully.

  The astute analyst of the Russian political system, their psyche and their manner of dealing with delinquent countries, dissident members of the populace, and anyone who remotely threatened the stranglehold that the Russian President held over the country, would have regarded his utterances as pure verbiage, blatant lies, and not worthy of comment.

  The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs was to be seen travelling the world garnering support, invariably to the countries that America had less than favourable relations. The American Secretary of State conducted a similar exercise.

  ***

  ‘What’s the prognosis for the Taliban? Where does this place my exercise for their elimination?’ Archie Smyth asked George Hampshire. It was a regular meeting in New York, and Archie was concerned that media coverage and the denouncements of America by the Russian President would curtail his plan.

  ‘Nothing’s changed. We continue as normal. The president understands what we’re doing. Russia will only have a bearing on the date,’ George replied.

  ‘Is your statement direct from the president?’

  ‘Yes. You must be ready within the next few weeks. The Taliban elimination exercise will go ahead as planned.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Archie said, relieved with the news.

  ‘Any hesitancy and the Taliban will spread through Central Asia,’ Archie added.

  ‘The president realises that. Mining or no mining, the Taliban are to be removed,’ George said.

  In time, Russian criticism started to fall on deaf ears. There was no visible attempt by America to mobilise troops for the imminent invasion of Afghanistan. There was no story.

  ‘What next? What will Russia do?’ Archie asked Fred Bull.

  ‘They will speak about our friends to the north of Afghanistan. How they have asked us to help them and their friends to the South. It will be pure rhetoric.’

  ‘Will they let them through?’

  ‘Never.’

  ‘So why do they say it when it is going to be denied by those countries?’

  ‘Iran has denied a deal with us. What is the difference if the countries to the north of Afghanistan deny it?’ Archie asked.

  ‘The Russians had some written proof.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. It’s only posturing by Russia. They control the press and the TV in their country. The Russians will take back those countries with their military when the time suits them, anyway,’ Fred said.

  ***

  It was at the United Nations that the President of the Russia made his momentous speech. ‘It is clear the American invasion is imminent. It is for the people of Russia to come to the aid of Afghanistan. I am announcing that in accordance with our close friends to the south, namely Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, we will move our military to the northern border of Afghanistan at the first sign of open aggression by imperialist America. Our friends, people that we hold a great fondness for, are in full accordance, and will open their borders to allow free transit of our military.

  As Fred had stated, the denials from the countries to the north of Afghanistan were immediate and well reported in the Western media. The controlled press in Russia reported the president’s speech in detail and emphasised the agreement of the countries.

  The countries had been in long and pointless discussions with the Russian government on this very matter. The Russian argument had been persuasive: enhanced trading opportunities, massive investments into their countries, as well as the normal diplomatically-worded statements, friendship, assisting our Muslim nations to the south, nations that we have a long and enduring fondness for. How could they believe this from their former occupier? An occupier that had shown no hesitation is stamping out dissension, violently when needed. They had been asked to open their borders; their answer had been very succinct and clear, NO. It was of little consequence, in due course the borders would open. Not one of the four countries could resist the might of the Russian military.

  The cold war had thawed, there had been warmth for many years after, and it looked as though the threat of a global war had gone. The declaration of the Russian President at the United Nations raised the spectre again. There were still plenty of regional wars, an increase in Islamist extremism and wanton terrorist attacks around the world, but they would pale into insignificance compared to this potential conflict. The possibility of increased antagonism in the Middle East was another factor that needed to be held in check.

  Russia and America may rationalise, come to an agreement, but if Israel felt threatened, it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons. Iran even had a nuclear bomb, and they would use it against Israel. Even if Russia and America came to a compromise, the Middle East still remained.

  And while this was going on the terrorist organisations would rise, the fundamentalists would be encouraged by the Arab nations now under serious attack, and the senseless and violent terrorist bombings around the Western world would extrapolate exponentially.

  No one from the President of the United States, down to the man in the street, could feel calm. No matter how much this had been foreseen, it was inevitable this was going to take the world to the brink. America and Russia were on a collision course. Even if America had not gone after the minerals in Afghanistan, the Russians would have eventually. The Taliban unchecked would have risen, and in a matter of years been threatening the governments in the surrounding regions. With control of the nuclear bases in Northern Pakistan, the possibility of using the weapons was a high possibility. There was no alternative for America but to proceed.

  Chapter 23

  It was remarkable that in two countries, separated by half a world, that there were two think tanks led by two men, similar in many ways. Fred Bull and his Russian counterpart were both overweight, and both had consciously decided to improve their appearance and to moderate their eating habits. Both had the ear of their respective president. Igor Kabanoff was now advising his president.

  ‘What is your recommendation? How do we play it with the Americans? How do we deal with the four countries that we need to transit?’ the Russian President asked.

  ‘It’s a question of timing. Are we bringin
g the countries on our borders under the umbrella of Russia?’ Kabanoff subtly asked.

  ‘We had always intended to take them back.’

  ‘Then, Mr President, we continue to wait and prepare for movement from America.’ The threatening of America, the posturing on the world stage, the constant media interest, had eased in the three months since the heated exchange by Alexeyev and Carol Palmer at the United Nations. The Americans had constantly denied, and there had been no action on their part that was complicit with an Iranian deal.

  ‘How long do we need to wait for?’ Foreign Intelligence Service Director Romenskaya asked.

  ‘Not long,’ Kabanoff replied.

  ‘Why do you say that?’ the president asked.

  ‘The Taliban are securing their position in the South West of the country. They are starting to threaten the Warlords, and if left unchecked will head towards Kabul.’

  ‘I thought you said that Kabul would be safe as long as America maintained some troops in the country,’ the president said.

  ‘Yes, it is safe, but the Taliban will eat away around the edges, the outlying communities, the small villages. They will disperse around the country, they will not be so easy to deal with, and the Americans intend to deal with them at some stage.’

  ‘So, what timeline are you specifying?’ the Russian president asked.

  ‘Three to four weeks maximum.’

  ‘How are the troop mobilisations? Are we ready?’ the president asked.

  ‘We are conducting extensive exercises close to the northern border of Kazakhstan.’ The commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces, Colonel General Lukin said. ‘The Kazakhstan government has registered a complaint. They are stating the exercises are a prelude to invasion.’

  ‘What has been our response?’ the president asked.

  ‘We have officially denied any such intention,’ Secretary Ivanov replied.

  ‘Did they believe us?’