Russia to Drop Taliban from Terrorist List
The Facts
The Kremlin has made "a principal decision" to remove the Taliban from its list of organizations designated as terrorists, Russian Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov announced Friday.
Following the latest round of consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Kabulov stated that Russia's foreign ministry and Federal Security Service "are putting finishing legal touches on the removal of the Taliban movement."
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
This is a welcome step, considering the Taliban could help Russia fight IS amid a rise in terrorist attacks on its soil. It's also essential to maintain pragmatic dialogue with the current Afghan movement to develop political, trade, and economic ties with Kabul and help Afghanis finally return to the broader regional family, maintain peace in the country, and improve its national economy.
Anti-Russia narrative
Any step toward dropping the Taliban from the list of designated terrorist organizations or recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan's rightful government will only legitimize their oppression and create a catastrophic humanitarian situation. The Taliban must improve its human rights record to preserve the necessary space for dialogue, win international legitimacy, and rejuvenate the Afghan economy.
