The Russian State Duma or lower house of Russia’s Parliament, has passed a bill that makes it possible to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations.
According to Reuters, the Russian Parliament passed the bill on Tuesday, December 10. The bill would allow the Taliban to be removed from Russia’s list of terrorist groups, coming just two days after the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria fell to Islamist rebels.
Syria, one of Russia’s main allies in the Middle East, had been a strong supporter of Moscow in the region. However, with the recent collapse of the Assad government, Russia’s geopolitical situation has shifted.
It is important to note that no country has officially recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government. However, there are growing beliefs that Russia is seeking to curb the influence of radical groups, particularly ISIS-Khorasan, along its Central Asian borders through cooperation with the Taliban.
The Taliban themselves have reportedly claimed that they are committed to suppressing ISIS in Afghanistan.
It is believed that what distinguishes terrorist groups is the competition between major world powers. While terrorism is an international threat, the U.S. and Russia often use the concept of “state-sponsored terrorism” more as a tool in their global rivalry.
Russia’s move to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist groups could be part of a broader strategy to stabilize Central Asia and combat the spread of ISIS in the region.
This decision highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics that influence global counterterrorism efforts and international relations.
While some may see this as a pragmatic approach to countering terrorism, the implications of recognizing the Taliban could further complicate Russia’s relationship with the West and its role in the fight against extremism in the region.
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