Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/moscow-host-afghanistan-talks-oct-20-2021-10-07/
Russia plans to host international talks regarding Afghanistan on October 20 and has invited Taliban representatives to attend the event. Russia has also been in communication with its allies in central asia, most notably Tajikistan, as concerns arise of possible destabilization in the region and Islamist militants getting into the post Soviet states in central asia. Russia has also increased its military presence in Tajikistan and has donated military equipment to the Tajik Armed Forces to increase their ability to defend against a possible Islamist threat. These concerns come after Russia hosted talks in March between the United States, China and Pakistan, as well as Russia, which resulted in calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan and the cessation of Taliban offensives, which the Taliban ignored.
Russia is concerned about a possible infiltration of radical islamists into the post Soviet states in Central Asia because most of these countries have a large muslim majority population and some have previously had civil wars involving radical islamist factions. These countries are also Russia’s main allies in the region and serve as a protective buffer to the south of Russia which is why Russia will do everything in their power to maintain stability in the region. Another reason for concern is that Russia has had a large number of terror attacks by Chechen islamists in the past and still is affected by this issue, although to a lesser extent than before. Russia may be worried that a decrease in stability in Central Asia and the infiltration of militants into Central Asia could radicalize some of the Chechen population again and lead to a resurgence in the number of terror attacks.
This article is relevant to class because Russia and the post Soviet states in central asia are all members of the CSTO which is a military IGO and they have been discussing the possible threat of radical islamists infiltrating their countries and violating their sovereignty, as well as strengthening their military presence along the border with Afghanistan. It also discusses that Russia will be hosting an international discussion regarding the situation in Afghanistan which representatives from the Taliban will attend which is the current unrecognized government of Afghanistan.