Russia’s Greater Involvement in Afghanistan: International Aspects

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.Russia’s establishment of contact with the Taliban and organisation of three international peace conferences on Afghanistan pointed at its growing re-engagement in the country. Russian authorities revised their Afghan policy in light of the deteriorating security situation there, the failed peace negotiations, and lack of a clear American strategy towards the region. Afghanistan emerged like Syria and Libya as another arena in the Russia-West rivalry, which might further undermine the war-torn country’s stability. NATO should reverse the negative trends in Afghanistan by increasing support to the Afghan security forces and reviving limited cooperation with Russia, for instance, on regional peace initiatives.