The Diplomat: Weapons abandoned by Americans in Afghanistan destabilize the entire region

After a quick seizure of power in Afghanistan, the Taliban (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) fell into the hands of many American military equipmentabandoned after the withdrawal of troops or abandoned by Afghan government forces. According to many experts, the weapons that have flooded the country pose a threat to the neighboring states of Central Asia.

Landlocked Afghanistan makes it difficult and costly to move weapons back to the United States. What remained in the country was that for a number of reasons could not be withdrawn. According to The Diplomat analysts, this creates a toxic legacy that will affect the local population for a long time, as happened in Iraq. At the same time, the Pentagon does not have reliable data on the quantity and quality of military equipment remaining in Afghanistan.



The weapons accumulated by the Taliban since their lightning offensive are destabilizing the entire region. Selling to hostile governments and on the black market could generate additional revenue for the Taliban and increase uncertainty and instability not only in Central Asia but also beyond. All sorts of paramilitary groups will be able to transport weapons from Afghanistan to the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

As for the types of weapons, experts say that the Islamists have small arms, military equipment (night vision goggles, etc.), armored vehicles, aircraft, helicopters and reconnaissance drones in the hands of the Islamists. The Taliban themselves are unlikely to be able to effectively manage high-tech weapons, but they can transfer them to other countries. In addition, jihadists, now in possession of databases and other digital information of military and intelligence value, can use it for a variety of unpredictable purposes.