Moscow moves to pull Taliban off terrorist list after Putin calls extremist group ‘a trusted ally’
New York PostMAR 19
Russia to Consider Removing Taliban From Terror List
Above: Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov (R) and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (L) attend the 6th meeting of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan held in Moscow, Russia on Oct. 4, 2024. Image copyright: Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout/Anadolu/Contributor via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
The Taliban has demonstrated its commitment to regional stability by actively combating IS-K and maintaining order in Afghanistan since taking control. The group's pragmatic approach to governance and willingness to engage in diplomatic relations makes it a potentially valuable partner in counterterrorism efforts.
Anti-Russia narrative
The Taliban continues to enforce extreme interpretations of Islamic law, including banning women from education, restricting social interactions, and carrying out public executions. Their human rights violations and failure to meet international commitments on governance make them an unreliable partner for the international community.