8am: Sardar Mohammad Rahimi, a regional affairs expert, argued that Afghanistan’s neighbors have never viewed the Taliban strategically but have been compelled by geography to maintain ties with the group. According to Rahimi, these countries’ experiences with the Taliban have shown that they cannot trust the group domestically or regionally. Rahimi also stated that the Taliban remain within the sphere of influence of the United States. He explained that the weekly aid from the United States to Afghanistan holds clear significance for neighboring countries, as it aligns with the geopolitical goals and influence of the U.S. in South Asia. He emphasized that if this analysis is accurate, China’s concerns about the Taliban will intensify daily. Rahimi continued, “What is happening in Afghanistan is part of a larger project, and Afghanistan is awaiting the moment when the expansion of terrorist groups will create an opportunity to directly involve China, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia.” Click here to read more (external link).