Part 10/13:
The impact of this safe haven isn’t confined within Afghanistan’s borders. Attacks are now reported in Russia, Iran, and potentially Europe and other regions. The proximity to Central Asian countries like Tajikistan exacerbates regional tensions, with reports of arms flows, coordinated training, and recruitment efforts extending into these nations.
In addition, the presence of Western-made weapons and equipment in Taliban-controlled areas facilitates their efforts to operate in the open or in semi-clandestine fashion. Other nations, notably China and Pakistan, have shown interest in exploiting the chaos by bolstering Taliban capabilities, sometimes even training pilots to operate remaining military hardware left behind.