Amu: Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said in a newly published article that Moscow estimates more than 23,000 fighters from about 20 international militant groups are currently operating in Afghanistan, posing a serious threat to regional and global security. Writing in the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Shoigu identified ISIS-K as the most concerning group,
By Kian Sharifi and Omid Marzban Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty August 16, 2025 The Taliban’s four-year quest for legitimacy received a major boost last month when Russia became the first country to formally recognize the group’s rule in Afghanistan. While the Kremlin’s decision is largely symbolic, it could still yield strategic benefits for Moscow. Recognition
Niloar Sakhi via FP: Recognizing Afghanistan’s extremist leaders will fuel radicalism. Nearly four years after the Taliban’s reconquest of Afghanistan, Moscow has formally recognized the Taliban regime as the legitimate government of Afghanistan—a move that has been welcomed by China. Moscow’s decision is an invitation for other states in the region, from China to India
Khaama: Russia emphasizes the need for an inclusive political structure in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of ethnic representation in governance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in China, called for “national unity” in Afghanistan and the involvement of various ethnic and political groups in
Afghanistan International: Michael McCaul, former chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, has strongly criticised Russia’s decision to officially recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, calling it a dangerous move to legitimise “a tyrannical regime.” In a statement posted on Thursday, 11 July, on X (formerly Twitter), McCaul wrote: “Since their
The Moscow Times: Russian tour companies have started advertising travel packages to Afghanistan, offering weeklong trips to the country for around $3,000 as Moscow deepens its ties with the Taliban-led government in Kabul. The offers, which have appeared on Russian online platforms in recent days, promise Russian citizens organized tours to Afghanistan, with the first
Afghanistan International: Ata Mohammad Noor, former governor of Balkh province has warned that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban could trigger new regional and international tensions. In a statement issued following reports of the Kremlin’s deepening ties with the Taliban, Noor said such recognition would have consequences beyond bilateral relations, potentially turning Afghanistan into a battleground
Khaama: Russia’s recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan marks a significant shift in geopolitical alignments, signaling Moscow’s broader strategy to expand its influence in Central and South Asia. Officially recognized on July 3, 2025, Russia becomes the first nation to acknowledge the Taliban’s rule, ushering in a new Great Game of
The Diplomat: Amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Russia is steadily strengthening its engagement with Afghanistan. While global attention remains fixed on headline-grabbing crises, less visible but potentially more consequential processes are taking shape. In its policy toward Afghanistan, Moscow has begun to play one of its most strategic cards: labor migration. Click here
Ariana: In an interview with the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Kokov emphasized that despite the cessation of large-scale military operations, “instability that threatens neighboring countries” still persists in Afghanistan. “There is particular concern over the plans of supporters of the international terrorist organization ISIS, who are active in the region and aim to export terrorism