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Russia on July 3rd has become the first
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country to officially recognize the
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Taliban government of Afghanistan.
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This recognition comes nearly 4 years
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after the Taliban retook control of
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Afghanistan in August 2021 following the
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US and NATO withdrawal. While many
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countries have engaged with the Taliban
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informally, Russia is the first to grant
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formal diplomatic status accepting
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credentials from the Taliban appointed
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Who are the Taliban? The Taliban meaning
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students in Pashto originated in the
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1990s in southern Afghanistan. Formed
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primarily of Islamist fighters trained
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in Pakistani Madras. They rose to power
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during Afghanistan's civil war and ruled
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from 1996 to 2001 enforcing a rigid
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interpretation of Sharia law. The
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Russian interests lies in the security
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concerns as a presence of ISIS kurasan
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in Afghanistan as a growing threat.
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Russia views the Taliban as a buffer
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against transnational terrorism
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spreading into the central Asia and
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southern Russia. geopolitical leverage.
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With strained relations with the west
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over Ukraine, Moscow seeks new allies in
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the Eurasian and Islamic worlds. This
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move asserts Russia's influence in the
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post American Afghanistan. Afghanistan
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offers potential in mining, transport,
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agriculture, and energy transit. Russia
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has already been exporting fuel and
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wheat to Afghanistan under the Taliban
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regime. While China, Iran, Pakistan and
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Central Asian countries have engaged
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with Taliban informally, none have yet
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granted official recognition. Russia's
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move is likely to influence others,
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especially those who are already dealing
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with Kabell. However, most western
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nations remain cautious fighting
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conditions such as restoration of
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women's rights, guarantee of press
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freedom, prevention of Afghanistan
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becoming a terror haven which has
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historically opposed Taliban rule. India
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which has historically opposed Taliban
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rule must now recalibrate its tragic
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posture especially considering security
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threats from crossber terrorism and
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regional isolation risks.
