Taliban's victory to strengthen Russia and China's positions in Central Asia, expert says

The victory of the Taliban will strengthen Russia and China's positions in Central Asia, political scientist Zaur Mammadov told Report, commenting on the situation in Afghanistan.

He said Turkey's position would also grow stronger in this region.

"The withdrawal of the United States is a victory of China and Russia. In the nearest future, we will see Beijing, Moscow, and Ankara jointly fulfill their tasks in Central Asia with respect to each other's interests," he said.

"Today's Taliban is not the Taliban that ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s. Most ethnic groups supported Talibs as the socio-economic situation in the country has been in a deplorable state both in previous years and today. On the other hand, the political situation in Afghanistan was unstable, due to the shameful policy pursued by the United States in Afghanistan and the ruling elite which was growing richer, not caring much about the people of Afghanistan," Mammadov said.

He also added that 'everyone has witnessed how the United States destroyed Afghanistan."

"The country was anyhow in a pitiful state, but after the US troops came, the drug trade surged several times," he said.

Mammadov believes that the poverty level in the country grew, while a decline was observed in other economic indicators and public health.

The expert also said that 120 Azerbaijani peacekeepers, together with the Turkish peacekeeping troops, ensure the security of the Kabul airport. He noted that Afghanistan is Azerbaijan's partner and believes that the Afghan people will be able to embark on the path of development and stability.