Security in the Heartland: Russia, Central Asia, and China’s Interaction with the Taliban 2.0

Event Description:

This presentation explores the evolving dynamics of security in the “Heartland,” focusing on the roles of Russia, Central Asia, and China in addressing the challenges posed by the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, often referred to as “Taliban 2.0.” Since the Taliban’s resurgence, regional actors have been recalibrating their strategies to manage potential spillovers of extremism, economic instability, and refugee flows. Russia, with its historical influence and security concerns, aims to secure its sphere of influence through military and diplomatic engagements with Central Asian states. Meanwhile, China’s economically driven approach, under the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizes regional stability to safeguard its investments and prevent militancy from affecting its western regions. Central Asian states, navigating these external influences, face unique security dilemmas and societal vulnerabilities in response to the Afghan situation. This analysis will illuminate how these regional powers are crafting a multifaceted security architecture, shaped by historical ties, economic imperatives, and geopolitical interests, to navigate the complex landscape surrounding Afghanistan under the Taliban. The speech will also examine the Taliban’s interactions with these actors.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Faramarz Tamanna is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa and a Research Associate at the Center for International Policy Studies (CIPS) at this university. Prior to joining CIPS, he was a Professor at the School of Diplomacy and International Studies (DIS), University of Afghanistan. Also he was the chancellor of this university too. He did his PhD in International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)- New Delhi, India (2014), PhD in International Relations at Tehran University (2010), MA in International Relations at Shahid Beheshti University (2006), and BA in Political Science at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran (2001). He has taught at several universities since 2008.

Dr. Tamanna is the author of the following books:

1. Afghanistan’s Foreign Policy: Regional Cooperation
2. US Foreign Policy in Afghanistan
3. Political Development in Afghanistan
4. Afghanistan’s Peace and Security Dilemma
5. Afghanistan’s Foreign Policy: Dynamism, Scope, Actions

He has also authored/co-authored tens of articles and policy reviews covering International Relations, Foreign Policy, Security and International Politics.

Dr. Tamanna has also previously served as the Director General of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan (2012-2019) and represented his country in several international conferences on regionalism, security and political issues around the world. Tamanna is the founder and president of the Afghanistan Association of Political Science and International Relations (AAPSIR).