The radical movement Taliban, banned in Russia, can restore order in Afghanistan if external players do not interfere. This opinion was expressed by Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), during a meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of CIS countries.
Bortnikov identified attempts by terrorist networks and international terrorist organizations (ITOs) to consolidate and expand their influence in the Afghan-Pakistani zone as significant threats to CIS security. "Undoubtedly, we are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. On the one hand, there are positive trends. The Afghan authorities are actively working to normalize the situation, fighting against notorious terrorist groups, and seeking to strengthen external borders to reduce the infiltration of militants from regional conflict zones. They are in dialogue with us—the special services of the Commonwealth countries," Bortnikov said.
"And if Kabul is not hindered by external players, the Taliban, I believe, will be able to restore order at home," he added.
Bortnikov also highlighted persistent attempts by Western powers, particularly the Anglo-Saxons, to influence the situation in Afghanistan. "This explains their intentions to establish a foothold in Central Asia at all costs and use this platform to influence the entire region," he stated, referring to external threats to CIS security.
"Of course, at such stakes, any means are used. Hence the constant rotation of militants in the Syrian-Iraqi and Afghan-Pakistani zones and the emergence of new training camps for militants near the southern borders of the Commonwealth," Bortnikov noted.
He also described it as a "positive trend" that the new authorities in Afghanistan are finding common ground in countering international terrorism.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: ResoluteSupportMedia/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS