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Russia’s Recognition of the Taliban: A Power Play in South and Central Asia?
In early July, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. This recognition followed an April 2025 ruling by Russia's Supreme Court to delist the Taliban as a terrorist organization. Russia's recognition signifies a major…
The Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor: Will it Achieve Regional Connectivity?
In 2023, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan developed an idea to connect South and Central Asia through a railroad to enhance trade and economic opportunity in the region. That idea has now taken the shape of the Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor.…
The Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Relationship: From Strains to Strength
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran lie at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, granting these three countries opportunities for immense economic cooperation and military potential. While the neighbors have occasionally signed bilateral agreements to improve their…
ISKP’s Propaganda Threatens Asia’s Security Apparatus
On September 5, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) launched a suicide bombing attack in front of the Russian embassy in Kabul, leaving more than four dead. The attack underscored ISKP’s continued forays targeting civilians and Taliban security forces across…
طالبان کو تسلیم کرنے کی سیاست
اقتدار پر قبضے کے تقریباً تین ماہ اور عبوری حکومت کے اعلان کے تقریباً دو ماہ بعد بھی افغانستان میں طالبان کی حکومت کو کسی ایک ملک کی جانب سے بھی تسلیم نہیں کیا گیا ہے۔ اندیشہ ہے کہ یہ…
The Politics of Taliban Recognition
Nearly three months after seizing power, and more than two months after announcing an interim government, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has not been formally recognized by a single country. It risks becoming a pariah, just as it was in…