Bottom Line Up Front:

The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) terrorist group has released a statement praising the recent attack in Moscow while scolding the Afghan Taliban for seeking relations with the United States, Russia, China, and other countries. The 30-page statement, titled "After Moscow's Attack: The Sorrow and Fear of Militias," criticizes the Taliban for aligning with "infidel" nations and questions their condemnation of the Moscow attack. IS-K, the regional affiliate of the larger Islamic State militant group, did not claim responsibility for the attack.

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IS-K Critical of the Taliban:

The recent statement by IS-K highlights the ongoing tensions between the group and the Afghan Taliban, who have been adversaries for years. IS-K is likewise the group that has been officially linked to the attack in a concert hall in Moscow, a high-profile terror event that will leave "lasting implications" on world security efforts, the United States Institute of Peace writes. 

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IS-K Says The Taliban Has Made 'Western Allies'

As IS-K accuses the Taliban of becoming allies with the United States, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Tajikistan:

"Taliban militias are now part of the infidel nation," the IS-K statement accuses and indicates IS-K's ideological opposition to any collaboration with these countries, which they perceive as enemies of their cause.

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Power Struggles Within the Taliban 

Afghanistan's political status in 2023 hinged on two main factors: the Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada's control over decision-making, and the threat of terrorism, particularly from the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISK), Brookings Institue analyzed. 

While the Taliban's authority was not expected to be significantly challenged by the weak National Resistance Front (NRF) or efforts to revive the Afghan Republic, concerns about defections within the Taliban and its ability to curb terrorism that could invite external intervention remain. 

Throughout 2023, the Taliban's governance became more authoritarian, with a notable regression to its 1990s-style rule, marked by exclusionary policies, suppression of opposition, and severe restrictions on individual rights, especially for women. The regime's decision-making grew increasingly centralized, ignoring both internal and external calls for moderation. 

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