On July 3, Russia officially became the first nation to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described the move as "courageous," with the Taliban regime seeking international recognition since 2021 when it came into power.
According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the officials hope for "the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries."
Western governments and international organizations around the world have repeatedly condemned and criticized the Taliban rule for human rights violations, especially their restrictions against women and girls.
Indeed, this newly formed alliance between Russia and the Taliban may significantly challenge the world order that has already become shaky and unpredictable lately. But what do we know about the state of affairs in the country of Afghanistan, really?
Located at the crossroads of the Near East, Central Asia, and South Asia, Afghanistan has endured decades of conflict. After the Soviet withdrawal in the late 1980s, the Taliban seized power in 1996, turning the country into a haven for extremist groups, including al-Qaeda. This led to the US invasion following the September 11 attacks, and a military mission that lasted 20 years.
But what did this mission entail, and how do things look now? Read through this gallery to find out.