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The New Russian Roulette: Taliban Edition

Russia and the Taliban formalized a military-technical cooperation agreement in May 2026, reflecting a broader Russian effort to deepen ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban government through diplomatic recognition and security cooperation rather than a formal military alliance. The agreement focuses on maintaining and repairing Afghanistan’s existing Soviet- and Russian-made military equipment, allowing Moscow to become a key security partner for the Taliban while expanding its influence in Central Asia amid rising tensions with Pakistan. The author argues that the deal is part of a larger geopolitical trend in which Russia and other authoritarian states fill the strategic vacuum left by U.S. disengagement from Afghanistan, highlighting the need for continued American attention and regional engagement despite not recognizing the Taliban regime.