Russia is drawing closer to the Taliban at a rather strange moment. Its own security officials are warning that Afghanistan remains full of militant groups, yet Moscow is busy expanding security and military cooperation with the same regime ruling that territory.

One is tempted to ask: which Russia should the world listen to? The Russia issuing security warnings or the Russia signing cooperation agreements?

During his recent Moscow visit, Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob signed military and technical arrangements with Russian officials. Both sides spoke warmly about strengthening ties. Such diplomatic warmth, however, cannot hide a cold reality sitting across the region.

Only days earlier, senior Russian officials themselves warned about growing terrorist threats emerging from Afghanistan. FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov said ISIS-K was actively recruiting from Central Asia and Russian migrant communities. Sergei Shoigu separately warned about thousands of militants operating inside Afghanistan.

These are not Western accusations. These are Russian assessments. And they are difficult to ignore.

Afghanistan today is not merely facing a militancy problem. It has gradually become a crowded marketplace of armed groups, ideological networks and transnational extremists. ISIS-K, TTP, Al-Qaeda, ETIM, IMU and several affiliated organizations continue operating from Afghan territory according to multiple international and regional assessments.

The numbers are alarming enough. Estimates speak of nearly 18,000 to 23,000 militants inside Afghanistan. Even if one discounts some figures, the broader picture remains deeply troubling.

This is where Moscow’s policy begins to look less strategic and more risky.

The Taliban insist they are controlling the security situation. Yet the region continues to experience the consequences of instability spilling out from Afghanistan. Pakistan perhaps understands this reality more than anyone else. Hundreds of attacks have been linked to militants operating from Afghan soil,........

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