Russia in Afghanistan

As China and Russia align their positions in Afghanistan, the West looks on suspiciously.

Meanwhile, Russian diplomats continue to press support for a negotiated settlement between Kabul and the Taliban, with a side of shade thrown at the Americans.

With Afghan forces fleeing into Tajikistan and the Taliban managing a border crossing, Dushanbe has reportedly called on its CSTO partners for aid.

Military officials in Russia and Central Asia agree to unite efforts as they prepare for a worsening of the situation in Afghanistan. 

Russia, China, Iran, India, and, most of all, Pakistan have interests at stake as the U.S. aims to withdraw from Afghanistan.

The one-day conference last week is part of a larger effort by regional powers to make peace between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The Russian presence in Central Asia, predicated on the threats from Afghanistan, stymies the political and economic development of the region.

A series of media reports, citing U.S. intelligence sources, allege that President Trump was briefed on an alleged Russian operation offering bounties for dead Americans in Afghanistan.

An expansion of Russia’s diplomatic involvement could help non-Western powers expand their say over Afghanistan’s political future.

Not so fast, substantive cooperation between the two on ending the war remains elusive.

Moscow continues to designate the Taliban as a terrorist group, but at the same time has made consistent diplomatic contacts.