Behind the scenes of global politics, Moscow and Washington are secretly coordinating efforts to curb Beijing’s growing influence, shaping a new global balance of power.
By Abdul Naser Noorzad, researcher in security and geopolitics, exclusively for "Sangar"
Original article: ائتلاف پنهان روسیه و آمریکا علیه چین
For many, Russia’s unexpected decision to officially recognize the Taliban might seem puzzling — especially considering the group’s origins as a product of American geopolitical strategy, the continued presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, the overnight collapse of U.S. investments there, and Russia’s contradictory actions in either containing or fueling instability in Central Asia. The conspicuous silence of countries like Pakistan, Iran, China, the U.S., the Arab states, and Turkey in response to Moscow’s moves in Afghanistan only deepens the mystery.
Why is Russia seeking to expand its influence in Afghanistan when it’s widely known that the Taliban was born from U.S. strategic projects?
I have repeatedly emphasized that the key to understanding such seemingly contradictory behavior lies in the division of spheres of influence between major powers and their backroom agreements. Contrary to popular belief, competition between global powers does not always result in open hostility. Often, it leads to covert understandings aimed at managing mutual interests and reducing the costs of direct confrontation. Russia and the United States, as seasoned powers in colonialism and crisis management, see strategic coordination as a rational tool for securing their respective interests.
In reality, the apparent rivalry between Russia and the U.S. in theaters like Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan is a smokescreen for managing a hidden project: the managed bipolarization of the international system in favor of reviving the joint hegemony of both powers. This process actively obstructs the emergence of a genuinely multipolar world where China and other rising powers would have a significant voice in global affairs.
Covert Russia–U.S. cooperation is nothing new. From managing the Afghan crisis in the 1980s — serving both their interests — to behind-the-scenes coordination in Syria and even the war in Ukraine, their actions have had a common thread: while devastating Ukraine’s infrastructure, they deepened Europe’s security dependence on the U.S. and NATO. The resurgence of ISIS, the return of al-Qaeda, and the strengthening of terrorist networks in Afghanistan and Syria are part of this joint project aimed at destabilizing the Eastern bloc.
Why did the United States, after years of strategic investment, abruptly withdraw from Afghanistan overnight with virtually no resistance? Is it really logical to believe that Washington simply handed Afghanistan over to Moscow? The answer lies in a covert understanding, the core purpose of which is to contain China and prevent the expansion of its economic and geopolitical influence across Asia. Russia’s recognition of the Taliban is part of this project — using the movement as a geopolitical lever against China, Iran, and other independent players.
As a result, Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and China are paying the price for this managed bipolarization: growing proxy terrorism, regional instability, and the blocking of strategic routes for economic development. The joint project between Moscow and Washington not only impedes China’s strategic linkage to Central Asia and Europe but also blocks the pathways for its economic and geopolitical expansion.
In the end, Russia’s recognition of the Taliban should not be seen as an independent geopolitical move. It is part of a coordinated project between Moscow and Washington to manage global crises in their favor and to contain rising powers like China. Russia does not wish to become dependent on China, and through secret coordination with the U.S., it is paving the way for a bipolar world order that benefits both superpowers — one in which there is no place for Iran, China, or any other emerging force.
