Russia backs pro-Taliban axis of power

THE Taliban is on course to take control of major cities in Afghanistan for the first time since the US-backed intervention ousted the Islamist group from power in 2001, serving and former Afghan officials have said.

They issued the warnings amid growing concern about the emergence of a “pro-Taliban axis”, including Russia, Iran and China, who see the group as a bulwark against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and would like to see US and other Western powers ousted. The resurgence of the Taliban was epitomised by the fall on Thursday of Sangin, the strategic town in Helmand province which 100 British soldiers died trying to defend.

The setback reflects the central government’s flimsy hold not only on its outlying regions, but key areas such as the economy. As the West winds down its presence, the central government has failed to effectively grapple with soaring inflation and unemployment and a consequently high crime rate – and increasingly other outside powers – are filling the vacuum.

In February, what appeared to be Chinese military vehicles were photographed in the remote area of northeastern Afghanistan that borders China’s Xinxiang province – the first sign that Beijing has felt compelled to secure its interests. China wants to prevent the country being used as a safe haven by Uighur groups fighting an insurgency in its Xinjiang province and has struck an alliance with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Russia has stepped up its talks with factions including the Taliban, being accused by the US of supplying weapons to the militants. Russia is also keen to contain the flow of opium and extremists into former Soviet Central Asia.

But some fear there are other motives. “There is an emerging Taliban axis comprising of Pakistan, China, Russia, and Iran. They are united in two things: evicting US from Afghanistan and combating Daesh,” said Dr Dawood Moradian, of the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies in Kabul.

Moscow’s activity has raised particular concern in Washington.

“I’ve seen the influence of Russia of late – in terms of association and perhaps even supply to the Taliban,” Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, told the Senate on Thursday. Last month Gen John Nicholson said Russia and Iran were pursuing policies designed “to undermine the United States and Nato”. The generals appeared to be referring to reports of weapons, crossing the border of Tajikistan, where Russia maintains a military presence.

Moscow has called the comments “absurd” and accused the generals of seeking to justify further military spending and find a scapegoat for the failure to bring stability to Afghanistan over the past 16 years.