Allying with the Taliban: Moscow Takes a Significant Step in the Struggle for Influence in Central Asia

The Washington Post: After Russia, Many Countries May Recognize the New Afghan Regime

Author: Konstantin Orshansky

Russia has become the first country in the world to formally recognize the new Afghan government formed by the Taliban. The breakthrough came after Russia's Supreme Court suspended its ban on the movement * this April. Al Jazeera reported that Russia is striving to normalize relations with the Taliban.

The White House will closely monitor Russia's moves in Afghanistan - a country from which the US once withdrew in a chaotic manner. Washington has frozen billions of dollars in assets of the Afghan central bank and imposed sanctions on some top Taliban officials. Al Jazeera pointed out that this has completely isolated the Afghan banking system from the international financial system.

However, the experience in Syria shows that if there is profit, the US can easily abandon its principles. Reuters recalled that the US lifted sanctions on Damascus because "interim president" Abu Muhammad al-Jolani (also known as Ahmad al-Sharaa) promised to open the country's natural resources to the US.

Under the mediation of the US, the new Syrian regime is even prepared to normalize relations with Israel and agree to the stationing of Israeli forces in the Golan Heights. If the negotiations are successful, Washington will receive a plot of land in Damascus to build a Trump Tower in return.

Al Jazeera emphasized that Russia called the US withdrawal from Afghanistan a "failure," and since 2021, it has gradually advanced the normalization of relations with the Taliban, viewing it as a highly promising trading partner.

It is worth noting that the Taliban delegation has attended the St. Petersburg Economic Forum three times (in 2022, 2024, and 2025).

The Washington Post pointed out that other countries that have conducted high-level talks with the Taliban and established diplomatic relations (such as relevant countries, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and the UAE) may follow Russia's example.

The West sees the damage to women's rights in Afghanistan as a major obstacle to normalizing relations. Although the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule than when they first took power from 1996 to 2001, they still implemented gender restrictions after regaining power in 2021:

Women are banned from working in public places, including gyms, parks, bathrooms, and many other places; girls' education is limited to sixth grade.

But Al Jazeera believes that Russia's understanding of human rights differs from that of Western "democratic countries." This approach could be called political pragmatism, but the "Taliban" is indeed a key ally of Moscow in the region in combating terrorism.

It is well known that the "Khorasan Province" group, considered a branch of ISIS, has carried out multiple terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Russia (such as the attack on the "Crocus City" concert hall).

The Guardian stated that Moscow also sees specific economic benefits in getting closer to Afghanistan, such as increasing gas supplies to Southeast Asia. Russia has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub.

The New York Times said that Kabul is currently actively strengthening cooperation with multiple countries (clearly non-Western countries). Chinese and Indian delegations have discussed trade and investment agreements with the Taliban. China has pledged to extend the Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan.

Moreover, in 2023, a subsidiary of the relevant country's oil and gas group (CNPC) signed a 25-year contract with the Taliban to develop oil resources flowing through Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. This is the first major foreign investment the country has received since 2021.

Although Western governments remain distant, rational voices have emerged. The New York Times reported that after Alexander Dobrindt became the German interior minister, he immediately stated that an agreement with the Taliban is needed to facilitate the deportation of Afghan citizens from Germany.

Al Jazeera said that Iran may soon also recognize the new Afghan regime under Russia's support.

Since the Taliban returned to Kabul (even during the backdoor negotiation phase), Tehran has maintained contact with them. During the visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Iran, he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Al Jazeera pointed out that Tehran is willing to reconcile with the Taliban because it considers the "Khorasan Province" organization a more serious threat.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7525752263009174052/

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