Washington/Kabul (Web Desk): A recent report by United States (US) publication 'The National Interest' reveals that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is contributing to the rise of extremism, significantly threatening both regional and global security.
The report highlights the growing number of cross-border attacks by terrorist groups under Taliban influence, particularly impacting Pakistan, which faces substantial casualties and financial losses. Chinese citizens have also been directly targeted in Afghanistan-based operations, raising security concerns for Beijing.
The report further notes that since the Taliban’s takeover, the educational infrastructure has rapidly shifted, with the number of madrassas doubling to 23,000 and student enrollment increasing to 3 million, creating a large network for future extremism.
Criticizing Western policies, the report states that the West continues to view the Taliban as a moral issue rather than a security threat, questioning the humanitarian aid provided to the regime. The growing terrorist networks in the region are downplayed, despite their increasing reach.
The report also discloses multiple Chinese casualties from drone strikes and gunfire originating from Afghanistan, particularly in Tajikistan, and highlights the threat posed by the Turkistan Islamic Party to China’s national security. Both Pakistan and China are calling for concrete actions against the Taliban.
The report concludes by warning that ignoring the regional crisis could undo global progress on terrorism and disrupt the global economy.