Russian Defense Minister Warns of Terrorist Threat from Afghanistan at SCO Meeting

At a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers in Astana, Kazakhstan on April 27, 2024, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu cautioned that the primary danger to SCO nations comes from Afghanistan, where international terrorist groups find shelter due to the unstable political situation. Shoygu criticized the U.S. military presence in Central and South Asia, calling it a "direct threat to stability in the SCO space."

The Russian defense minister accused the U.S. of trying to restore its positions in the region and impose a new security system in the Asia-Pacific for dominance. He welcomed Iran's accession to the SCO and expressed hope that Belarus will join soon. Shoygu also criticized the West's position on Iran's right to self-defense and diplomatic premises and urged SCO members to ensure the organization's stability from external "destructive influences."

Why this matters: The SCO, which includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian states, is an influential regional security bloc. Shoygu's comments highlight growing tensions between Russia and the U.S. in the region, as well as the potential for increased military cooperation among SCO members to counter perceived threats.

Shoygu advocated for stronger military collaboration and joint exercises among SCO members to address terrorist and other threats. He accused the U.S. of inciting the war in Ukraine and supplying weapons to Kyiv, while portraying Russia as an "aggressor" country.

The Russian defense minister met with his Chinese and Iranian counterparts, Dong Jun and Mohammed Reza Ashtiani, on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, highlighting the deepening military and military-technical cooperation between Russia, China, and Iran, including plans for expanding cooperation. The meeting marked Iran's first as an SCO member state since joining the organization in July 2023.

In his speech, Shoygu also accused the U.S.-led Quad and AUKUS blocs of attempting to restructure the Pacific security system to be America-focused. He stated that any placement of U.S. or allied military infrastructure on the territory of SCO members is unacceptable.

The increased number and frequency of high-level bilateral meetings between Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and North Korea in recent days demonstrates the group's eagerness to publicly display its military and political cooperation in its competition and confrontation against the West. Shoygu's warnings about the terrorist threat from Afghanistan and criticism of the U.S. military presence in the region underscore the growing tensions and shifting alliances in Central and South Asia.

Key Takeaways

• Russia warns SCO of terrorist threat from Afghanistan, criticizes U.S. presence.
• Russia advocates for stronger military cooperation among SCO members to address threats.
• Russia, China, and Iran deepen military and military-technical cooperation within SCO.
• Russia accuses U.S. of trying to restructure Pacific security system to be America-focused.
• Increased high-level meetings between Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and North Korea demonstrate growing military and political cooperation against the West.