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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Widening diplomatic space for Taliban 2.0
Listen to article On July 3, Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban regime as a legitimate government. China welcomed the Russian move but adopted a cautious approach of not going beyond maintaining contacts with Kabul. Other countries like Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and India also possess ties with the Taliban regime short of granting diplomatic legitimacy. So far 17 countries have established embassies in Kabul but except Russia, none has formally granted diplomatic recognition to Taliban 2.0. For the Afghan Taliban, the Russian diplomatic recognition is a big victory because so far Kabul has no representation in the UN. Recently the UN General Assembly also passed a resolution against the Taliban regime which was supported by Pakistan but not endorsed by India. From a pariah state and a source of international condemnation because of its repressive policies against women and girls, Taliban 2.0 failed to comply with the Doha Accord of 2020 which called for forming an inclusive government in Kabul. Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban regime is able to widen diplomatic space and seeking full control of Afghanistan. The first Taliban regime which ruled from 1996 and 2001 controlled 90% of Afghan territory and its writ was effectively challenged by the Northern Alliance. Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its granting of diplomatic recognition to Kabul means that Afghan Taliban will now try to extend their legitimate status. Russia as a successor state of the Soviet Union is however carrying the baggage of 10 years of its military intervention from 1979 and 1989 which devastated Afghanistan. According to the July 4, 2025 report of Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG), "The normalisation of diplomatic ties with the Taliban since their 2021 takeover has come gradually. China became the first country to accredit a Taliban diplomat as an ambassador in December 2023. Beijing was nonetheless quick to claim that this did not amount to diplomatic recognition. Since then, several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Türkiye and Pakistan, have upgraded diplomatic relations to ambassadorial level. So far no Western country has granted legitimacy to Taliban regime despite the fact that the Trump administration is in contact with Kabul on security issues." Facing threats from IS (K), Russia considers Taliban regime as a lesser evil and its natural ally. The ICG report further states, "Although it has been critical of the presence of transnational jihadist groups in Afghanistan, Moscow has found a willing partner in the Taliban in addressing the threat posed by Islamic State's Khorasan Province (IS-KP), which was involved in the March 2024 Crocus City Hall attack that killed 145 people. Moscow went on to remove the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations in April 2025. Russian special envoy Zamir Kabulov stated that Afghan authorities will participate as a full member in the upcoming Moscow Format meeting — a regional forum for addressing concerns around the country." How is the Taliban regime, despite condemnation from human rights organisations, able to widen its diplomatic space? When Taliban rule is highly authoritarian in nature and prevents any dissent, how has it maintained peace in Afghanistan and given the impression to the outside world that it is focusing on development? Certainly, it is the ambition of Kabul to get maximum legitimacy without reforming its mode of governance, but in view of its rigid approach vis-à-vis women and opposition, it may not be able to achieve its objective so easily. The widening diplomatic space for the Taliban regime needs to be examined from three ways. First, the Afghan Taliban seem to be confident that after Russia's diplomatic recognition, other countries will follow suit. According to a BBC report of July 4, "Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said he hoped it would serve as an example to other countries, which have been reluctant to recognise a regime which implements a version of Sharia law along with severe restrictions on women and girls. Others have decried the move, with former Afghan politician Fawzia Koofi saying 'any move by any country to normalise relations with the Taliban will not bring peace it will legitimise impunity'." For those countries which have established diplomatic contacts with the Taliban regime despite legitimacy issue, it doesn't matter who rules Afghanistan. What matters is that Taliban government, despite its repressive policies, is a reality and controls the country. Economic, security and strategic interests in Afghanistan are more important than human rights violations by the Taliban regime and denial of a democratic mode of governance by Kabul. Critics argue that compromising on Taliban's exclusive form of government is a violation of Doha Accord which will further encourage the Islamic Emirate to deny women and opposition parties their legitimate rights. Second, Russia's diplomatic recognition of the Taliban regime will certainly push other countries to follow suit. In that case, voices of dissent against Taliban's denial of fundamental rights to girls and women will be further suppressed. It will create a bad precedent and deprive the people of Afghanistan of their democratic rights. When political opportunism on the part of some countries leads to diplomatic recognition to the once outlawed Taliban regime, it means political repressive regimes of North Korea and Myanmar will also get diplomatic space. Finally, so far Taliban rulers have been able to convince the world that they different from those of their leaders who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Although, the Taliban regime is trying to argue that it is fighting the terrorist organisation IS-K, it doesn't mean that its links with TTP don't exist. Islamabad has repeatedly blamed the Afghan Taliban rulers for looking the other way as the TTP carries out terrorist activities inside Pakistan with Indian involvement. Henceforth, the Afghan Taliban's contradictory policy vis-à-vis Pakistan must not lead to Islamabad granting formal diplomatic recognition to Kabul. The only plausible solution to the Afghan predicament is to launch a political process leading to an inclusive mode of governance instead of granting diplomatic space to a regime which has violated Doha Accord and is in no mood to grant girls, women and opposition their legitimate rights.
The Diplomat
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Taliban: Russia's ‘Objective Allies' in its Fight Against the Islamic State
On the sidelines of the third round of the U.N.-convened Doha Working Group (commonly known as Doha Process) meetings held in the Qatari capital on June 30 and July 1, Russia's Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said that Russia should arm the Taliban against the Islamic State. In this context, he further said that 'in this particular case, they are our objective allies, whom we must support to arm them in every sense of the word, so that they successfully suppress all these smallest hotbeds of international terrorism.' He said that Russia must support the Taliban with weapons in order to help them eliminate the terrorist threat in Afghanistan. Emphasizing the Taliban's role against the Islamic State, he said, 'The Taliban is fighting the Islamic State uncompromisingly and harshly.' Kabulov's remarks demonstrate the shift in Russia's policy toward the Taliban. This policy shift was further affirmed on July 3 when Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Moscow has accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan as part of a strategic shift in its Taliban policy to build friendly relations with Afghanistan's Taliban regime, which has been the de facto ruler of the country since the withdrawal of U.S. forces in August 2021. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that 'We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields.' Such a bold move from Moscow has not come suddenly. Over the past few months, Russia has been gradually moving toward this end. In December 2024, Russia adopted a law to establish the possibility of delisting any organization from the list of terrorist organizations. In March, Russia's Prosecutor General submitted a petition to the Supreme Court to remove the Taliban from the terrorist designated list. That request was approved in mid-April. Russia's paradigm shift toward the Taliban must be seen from the security perspective, mainly vis-à-vis the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) — an affiliate of the Islamic State, which is active in South and Central Asia, primarily in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and to a certain extent in Pakistan. In March 2024, the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow was attacked by four armed terrorists, resulting in over 150 fatalities and more than 100 injuries. The incident marked the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in the past two decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it 'a barbaric terrorist act.' While the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, ISKP proclaimed it also without directly claiming responsibility. ISKP is widely believed to have orchestrated the attack, allegedly carried out by citizens of Tajikistan. Russia is a significant target for the Islamic State, and its affiliates, for several reasons, primarily due to the group's deep animosity toward the country. Many Islamic State jihadists harbor resentment against Russia for its involvement in the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent decade-long occupation. Additionally, Russia's two wars in Chechnya, which occurred in 1994 and 2000, plausibly further fueled anger among jihadists of the Islamic State. Currently, the heightened hostility toward Moscow is likely a result of Russia's active role against the Islamic State in support of the Syrian regime. With the assistance of Russian airpower, the Assad regime was able to recapture the city of Palmyra in 2017, which had been seized by Islamic State forces. Furthermore, Russia has been actively supporting groups in the Sahel to combat terrorist organizations, including Islamic State affiliates in the region. Despite these efforts to mitigate the threat posed by the Islamic State, Russia has not been able to eliminate the danger. Just days before the Crocus City Hall incident, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that it had killed Islamic State militants who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Moscow. However, the FSB failed to identify or forestall the Crocus City Hall attack, despite warnings from the United States. There is substantial evidence indicating that ISKP was responsible for the attack. The group maintains an active presence in Afghanistan, and since the Taliban's takeover of Kabul four years ago, its operations have significantly increased. Due to a lack of international cooperation in combating this terrorist organization, the responsibility for fighting ISKP has largely fallen on the Taliban, which views the group as a direct threat to its regime. ISKP has directed much of its hostility toward the Taliban, in turn, prompting the latter to adopt a forceful strategy against it. The Taliban has reportedly succeeded in infiltrating ISKP by targeting its operatives within the country. However, despite these efforts, the Taliban has been unable to prevent the group from attacking other countries, primarily due to its limited counterterrorism capabilities and the various political and economic crises facing Afghanistan since the regime's takeover. Therefore, Russia's support for the Taliban in their fight against ISKP could enhance their capabilities in combating the group. The growing engagement between the Taliban and Russia can be viewed as a practical partnership. Russia seeks allies to aid in its fight against the Islamic State, with Putin labeling the Taliban as 'allies in the fight against terrorism' in July 2024. On the other hand, the Taliban requires support to sustain their regime in Afghanistan while combating their most significant internal threat, ISKP. In addition to collaborating against a common enemy, Russia's recognition of the Taliban government, which could plausibly lead to other countries following suit, serves as a significant diplomatic boost for the regime. Russia was once an adversary of the Taliban, backing the Northern Alliance, which opposed the Taliban from 1996 to 2001. However, the Taliban are notorious for not acting against terrorist groups using Afghan soil to attack other countries. Nonetheless, the threat posed by ISKP to their regime provides the Taliban with a compelling reason to combat this particular terrorist group. Russian support could enhance the Taliban's counterterrorism capabilities. It remains to be seen how and when Russia will begin providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban in their fight against the Islamic State, particularly its affiliate, ISKP.
Russia Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Moscow explains recognition of Taliban
Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan to formalize expanding cooperation between the two countries and move toward full-scale political engagement, Russia's presidential envoy to the Central Asian country, Zamir Kabulov, told RT on Friday. Moscow became the first major power to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Islamist government this week following the presentation of credentials by a new Afghan ambassador in the Russian capital. Kabulov said maintaining a close partnership had become important after it became clear that the current government in Kabul was 'doing its best to cope' with terrorism and drug trafficking. He noted that economic cooperation with Afghanistan had already begun, but to make it 'legally complete' Moscow needed to recognize the government de jure. 'Now it's time for our political interaction in full-fledged terms and conditions,' he stated. Kabulov, who previously served as Russia's ambassador to Kabul, said the Taliban have undergone a transformation since first taking power in the 1990s, when the group stood for global jihad. 'This time, Taliban came into power as a national [movement],' which is focused all its efforts on domestic interests, he said. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following a chaotic withdrawal by US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. It renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In April, the Russian Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. On Thursday, Kabulov confirmed to the media that Moscow now officially recognized the Taliban government. The envoy noted that Taliban representatives have attended economic forums in Russia as the two sides explore cooperation in investment and natural resource development. Afghanistan's geographic position offers potential as an 'important economic and logistic hub for the big Eurasian continent,' Kabulov said. Although the Taliban government remains unrecognized by most of the international community, several regional powers have renewed contacts with it. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed Moscow's move, writing on X that 'Russia was ahead of everyone.'
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Moscow explains Taliban recognition
Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan to formalize expanding cooperation between the two countries and move toward full-scale political engagement, Russia's presidential envoy to the Central Asian country, Zamir Kabulov, told RT on Friday. Moscow became the first major power to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Islamist government this week following the presentation of credentials by a new Afghan ambassador in the Russian capital. Kabulov said maintaining a close partnership had become important after it became clear that the current government in Kabul was 'doing its best to cope' with terrorism and drug trafficking. He noted that economic cooperation with Afghanistan had already begun, but to make it 'legally complete' Moscow needed to recognize the government de jure. 'Now it's time for our political interaction in full-fledged terms and conditions,' he stated. Kabulov, who previously served as Russia's ambassador to Kabul, said the Taliban have undergone a transformation since first taking power in the 1990s, when the group stood for global jihad. 'This time, Taliban came into power as a national [movement],' which is focused all its efforts on domestic interests, he said. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following a chaotic withdrawal by US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. It renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In April, the Russian Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. On Thursday, Kabulov confirmed to the media that Moscow now officially recognized the Taliban government. The envoy noted that Taliban representatives have attended economic forums in Russia as the two sides explore cooperation in investment and natural resource development. Afghanistan's geographic position offers potential as an 'important economic and logistic hub for the big Eurasian continent,' Kabulov said. Although the Taliban government remains unrecognized by most of the international community, several regional powers have renewed contacts with it. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed Moscow's move, writing on X that 'Russia was ahead of everyone.'
Novaya Gazeta Europe
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Russia grants official recognition to Taliban rule in Afghanistan
Russia has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Vladimir Putin's Special Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov informed state-owned news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday. The Russian Foreign Ministry subsequently confirmed the news to state-owned news agency TASS. Following the announcement, the Taliban flag was raised over the Afghan Embassy in Moscow for the first time. Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia's ambassador to Kabul, said Vladimir Putin took the decision to formally recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the advice of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Speaking on state-owned propaganda channel Rossiya-1, Zhirnov said the move demonstrated 'Russia's sincere desire to establish a full-fledged partnership with Afghanistan'. The Taliban re-seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, following the departure of US troops from the country, and renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The radical Islamist movement had spent 20 years attempting to regain control after losing power following the US invasion of the country following the 9/11 attacks of 2001. The Russian Supreme Court ruled to decriminalise the Taliban in April, following a request from the country's Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov. The Russian parliament passed legislation in December allowing the removal of a group from Russia's list of terror organisations if it had 'ceased activities aimed at promoting and supporting terrorism'. The Taliban was added to Russia's list of terrorist organisations in March 2003, based on resolutions adopted by both the UN Security Council and Russia's Supreme Court.
