... threat posed by Afghanistan for the EEU, given the fact that the borders with Kyrgyzstan are now open?
The threat is very real. Some believe that Russia exaggerates this threat, because it is trying to strengthen its presence in the region and pull the Central Asian states back under its umbrella. In my opinion, this remark is somewhat unprofessional. As someone who has spent many years in Afghanistan, I think that Russia even understates these threats. In reality, the situation is very difficult. This is why the EEU, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan should immediately pay serious attention to coordinating and resolving the border problems.
Russia and Afghanistan – ...
Russia is among few prominent players in the Central Asia due to the creation of EEU. However, not all countries in the region are involved in integrational processes. Afghanistan remains one of the key counties with solid capacity for regional development but the country has been struggling with many internal and external difficulties, mainly security threats, for decades now. This prevents Afghanistan from participating ...
... part in the roundtable “Development of the Situation in Afghanistan in 2016” held at the Russian International Affairs Council on April 18, 2016.
The three issues that cause the biggest concern are:
— the spread of instability from Afghanistan to the north and to the Central Asian states that border Russia;
— Russia’s transformation from a transit country into a market for Afghan heroin, which kills 25,000 Russians every year;
— the formation of Islamic State (DAISH) Infrastructure in Afghanistan, which may start exporting its practices ...
... Russia’s wider Central Asian policy and its claim to a great power status, writes Monika Pawar. “Moreover, the socio-cultural and ethno-linguistic nexus between non-Pashtun Afghanistan and the Central Asian Countries that creates friendly cushion for Russia and its allied in Central Asia in Afghanistan. The support of Central Asian countries and Russia to the Northern Alliance, an alliance of Tajiks, Uzbeks and Turkmen against the Taliban, is borne out of this socio-cultural affinity. It is therefore a greater opportunity for Russia to further ...
