Russia’s Embrace of the Taliban Signals a Dangerous Shift Away from America First Principles

In a striking display of geopolitical maneuvering, Russia recently hosted a delegation from Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government, signaling Moscow’s intent to fill the power vacuum left by America’s withdrawal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn’t mince words: any foreign military presence in Afghanistan or its neighboring states is "categorically unacceptable." This blunt warning—aimed squarely at the U.S.—underscores an urgent question: who truly benefits when Washington cedes influence to adversaries like Russia and China? Lavrov praised the Taliban for their efforts against extremist groups and narcotics, conveniently overlooking the repressive policies that continue to cripple Afghan society—especially women and girls denied...