Russia's Supreme Court suspends ban on Afghanistan's Taliban
Russia's Supreme Court has suspended its ban on the Taliban, which it had designated for more than 20 years as 'a terrorist organisation'. The latest move is aimed at normalising ties with the de facto rulers of Afghanistan.
Thursday's ruling – prompted by a request from the prosecutor general – is effective immediately, Judge Oleg Nefedov announced, according to Russia's Tass news agency.
The move in favour of the group that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 follows years of gradual rapprochement with Moscow, despite a turbulent history dating back to the Afghan Civil War of the 1990s.
More recently, shared security interests – including the fight against ISIL (ISIS)'s regional affiliate, ISKP – have drawn Russia and the Taliban closer.
Last year, President Vladimir Putin described the Taliban as an 'ally' in counterterrorism efforts, while his envoy to Kabul announced plans to delist the group.
Moscow, which has hosted Taliban officials for several forums in recent years, is also looking to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.
'Moscow will continue its course on developing political, trade and economic ties with Kabul,' Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in October last year.
Other Asian countries have also improved ties with the Taliban in recent years, though no state has moved to fully recognise it.
In 2023, Kazakhstan took the group, which has banned girls' education and restricted women's movement, off its list of 'terrorist organisations'. Kyrgyzstan followed suit last year.
China, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran are among nations with embassies in Kabul, with Beijing becoming the first in 2023 to appoint an ambassador after the Taliban's takeover.
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And like past dalliances, it could fade once strategic goals are met or regimes change,' he said. Ansar added that Pakistan again stands on the brink of a major strategic choice amid the global power shift. 'Much depends on whether it leans toward China or the US. That decision is also tied to the evolving Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of Iran,' he said. But Weinbaum, the former State Department official, described the reset in ties as temporary, as 'nothing is permanent in this administration'. 'If Pakistan does play some role in the Iran crisis, they have could have more substantial meaning to these ties. But it needs to be prepared that there is nothing settled with this administration. It can change on a dime, at any hour,' he said. The military remains Pakistan's most powerful institution, exerting enormous influence over politics and society. It has ruled directly for more than three decades, and the current government, elected in a controversial vote last year, is widely seen as secondary to the military leadership under Munir. This is consistent with historical precedent. Pakistan's first military ruler, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, had close ties with the US in the 1960s. Subsequent military rulers, including General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s and General Pervez Musharraf in the 2000s, also maintained strong US relations. All three were hosted by US presidents at the White House – but only after they became heads of state. Munir, now only the second Pakistani to hold the rank of field marshal after Khan, reinforces the perception that Pakistan's real power remains with the military, despite the presence of a civilian government, say experts. Still, CUNY's Rumi said it was important not to 'confuse symbolism with transformation'. 'This [Trump-Munir] meeting validates the enduring military-to-military track in US-Pakistan [ties], but it also bypasses the civilian setup, which should worry anyone rooting for democratic consolidation. If this is the 'reset,' it's one where khaki once again trumps ballot,' he cautioned, referring to the colour of the military's uniform. Ansar from PoliTact concurred, saying that the meeting reflects adversely on the civil-military balance in Pakistan, as it showed who remains the 'real power bearer' in Pakistan. 'In the long run, these dealings in the past have led to tremendous political, economic and security-related repercussions for the nation [Pakistan],' he said. 'But additionally, it has promoted a norm that critical decisions impacting the nation must be made in private without discussion, consensus or public ownership. This results in increased societal and political disillusionment regarding the future of the country.'
