What are the implications of the Russian delegation's visit to Afghanistan?
Author: Ahmad Saidi, Afghanistan and regional analyst (Switzerland), especially for "Sangar"
What is the message for the Taliban, the US, and Moscow from the visit of the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Sergey Shoygu to Kabul and his meeting with Taliban leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar?
First, it will increase the region's competition between the US and Russia. Everyone knows that Afghanistan, due to its important geographical location, has been a victim of conflicts in the past and is now seen as a key point in the rivalry between the United States and Russia in the region.
But what is the message for the Taliban?
The Taliban is using the meeting to consolidate its rule and gain international legitimacy. They seek to attract foreign investment, establish political, social, and security relations, and present Afghanistan as a regional transit territory. The Taliban also reaffirm their commitment not to use Afghan territory against other countries to gain the trust of countries in the region and beyond.
And what is the message for the United States?
There is no doubt that the United States will not welcome the visit of a high-level Russian delegation to Afghanistan, as it knows that this visit reflects the growing influence of the Russian Federation in Afghanistan and the region and that Russia is trying to fill the power vacuum caused by the withdrawal of US troops and the divisive approach of the Russian Federation's geopolitical competition with the West in Central and South Asia.
And what does this mean for Russia itself?
The visit reflects Moscow's unconditional commitment to strengthening economic, political, and security ties, especially in the fight against terrorism, with the Taliban. Russia is looking for opportunities to strengthen ties with the Taliban both economically, politically, and in the fight against terrorism. It is also reported that Moscow plans to remove the Taliban from its blacklist shortly to pave the way for more formal relations between Moscow and the Taliban.
Overall, the trip represents so-called regional cooperation but is also based on political values and criteria.
I hope that those responsible for politics and power in Afghanistan will be careful and not allow Afghanistan to fall victim to the competition of the world superpowers and the countries of the region again.
