Afghanistan has long been a focal point of international security concerns, but under Taliban rule, the country has become an even greater source of instability. The resurgence of terrorist activity in Afghanistan poses a direct threat to regional and global security, with groups like ISIS-Khorasan, al-Qaeda, and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) exploiting the security vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal. The recent Moscow Format conference brought this issue into sharp focus, with participants calling on the Taliban to take decisive action against terrorist organizations operating within their borders.
The joint statement issued by Moscow Format participants—including Russia, China, Iran, and several Central Asian countries—emphasized the need for “visible and verifiable actions” from the Taliban to meet their international obligations in the fight against terrorism. However, the reality on the ground suggests that the Taliban have been either unwilling or unable to take such actions. As a result, Afghanistan is rapidly becoming a hub for extremist ideologies and terrorist operations, with far-reaching implications for the region and the world.
Taliban’s Failure to Counter Terrorism
The Taliban’s failure to take meaningful action against terrorist groups has raised serious concerns about the future of Afghanistan’s security. Despite their promises to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists, the Taliban have allowed over 20 terrorist organizations to operate freely within their borders. ISIS-Khorasan, in particular, has emerged as one of the most dangerous groups in the region, launching attacks both within Afghanistan and in neighboring countries.
While the Taliban have engaged in sporadic clashes with ISIS-K, they have not been able to fully eradicate the group, which continues to pose a significant threat to regional stability. ISIS-K’s ambitions to expand its influence into Central Asia, Iran, and Russia have made it a top concern for regional powers. Similarly, al-Qaeda’s continued presence in Afghanistan remains a serious threat to the West, despite the Taliban’s assurances that they would not allow Afghan territory to be used for international terrorism. For Pakistan, the TTP poses the most immediate threat. The group, emboldened by the Taliban’s victory, has intensified its insurgency against the Pakistani state, launching cross-border attacks and targeting security forces. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban to take action against the TTP, but these requests have gone largely unheeded. The Taliban’s failure to address the TTP’s growing influence is straining relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, raising concerns about the future of bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism.
Regional and Global Implications
The presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan has far-reaching implications for regional security. Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan, have voiced concerns about the rise of separatist movements and extremist ideologies in Afghanistan. The Tajikistan Taliban Movement, for example, poses a direct threat to the stability of Tajikistan and other Central Asian nations. Russia, too, views Afghanistan’s deteriorating security situation as a direct threat to its southern borders. For China, the presence of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in Afghanistan is a major concern. ETIM, which seeks to establish an independent state in China’s Xinjiang region, has long used Afghanistan as a base of operations. The Taliban’s failure to take action against ETIM has strained relations between Kabul and Beijing, with Chinese officials repeatedly raising the issue in diplomatic engagements with the Taliban leadership.
Engaging with the Taliban: A Dangerous Prospect
Engaging with the Taliban on counterterrorism efforts is a complex and dangerous prospect. While regional and international powers recognize the necessity of involving the Taliban in efforts to curb terrorism, they are also wary of legitimizing a government that has failed to meet its international obligations. The Taliban’s reluctance to take concrete action against terrorist groups has further complicated efforts to secure international recognition, leaving Afghanistan isolated on the global stage. As Bismillah Taban, a security analyst, aptly put it, “Engaging with the Taliban without acknowledging Afghanistan’s worsening security situation is a recipe for disaster. We cannot afford to ignore the growing terrorist threat emanating from the country.”
Conclusion
The joint statement from the Moscow Format conference represents a significant diplomatic push to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions—or lack thereof—in addressing terrorism. However, the Taliban’s history of broken promises casts doubt on their willingness to take meaningful action. If the Taliban continue to ignore calls for action, Afghanistan will remain a hub of regional instability, with dire consequences for its neighbors and the world. It is in the Taliban’s own interest to take visible, verifiable steps to curb terrorism. Only by doing so can they hope to secure international recognition and rebuild Afghanistan’s war-torn economy. Until then, Afghanistan will remain a breeding ground for extremism, posing an ongoing threat to global security.