Since the United States withdrew most of its troops from Afghanistan, the situation has not changed in a positive way, but, to the contrary, has deteriorated further. The ruling elite, despite having firm support from Washington and the West in general, has been unable tomaintain the necessary consolidation. The National Unity Government (NUG) formed after the 2014 presidential election, has remain politically shaky and vulnerable. The economy operates predominantly on foreign financial and economic injections. The country’s 10-year economic programme to achieve self-sufficiency has not had a meaningful effect.

The NUG has not been successful in launchingnegotiations with its armed opponents, who have endorsed the complete withdrawal of the forces of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Taliban continues to control a significant part of the country. Along with intensive military operations, it conducts large-scale terrorist attacks in a number of big citiesincluding Kabul. Simultaneously, the number of ISIS fighters who have infliltrated the country’s eastern and northern areas has increased significantly.

The neighbouring countries, including Russia, continue to express serious concern over instability in Afghanistan, the overall increase in ISIS activities, and the spread of drugs and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Considering it a potential challenge to regional security, they try to provide necessary assistance to Kabul and support its course for national reconciliation. Moscow recently explored the possibility of broadening the scope of regional component while resolving the Afghan issue.

With the new administration in the United States, U.S. policy toward Afghanistan has not changed. Moreover, the possibility of expanding the military presence in Afghanistan is being explored, which could lead to further complications in the Afghan conflict.