CSTO Identifies Afghanistan as a Major Threat to Central Asia

Imangali Tasmagambetov, Chief of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), highlighted Afghanistan as a significant source of potential terrorism and drug trafficking threats to Central Asia, Khaama Press reported today. During a meeting on Saturday, February 8, he emphasized the need to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border in response to these risks.

Tasmagambetov underscored the importance of an intergovernmental program to fortify border security, reflecting a consensus among CSTO allies regarding the dangers posed by Afghanistan’s instability. He called for enhanced collaboration among CSTO parliamentary members to address these threats effectively.

Concerns were echoed by Andrey Serdyukov, CSTO’s Chief of Joint Staff, who characterized Afghanistan as a destabilizing force in the region. This discussion precedes a United Nations Security Council meeting on February 10, which will focus on the threats posed by ISIS from Afghanistan, during which the UN body will review a report on ISIS-Khorasan’s threats, highlighting its propaganda, cash reserves, and a recent suicide attack targeting a Taliban official.