DefinePK

Abstract

After two decades, the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, facing severe political isolation and economic collapse due to lack of international recognition. In this context, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) presents a potential regional platform for security cooperation, economic engagement, and political legitimacy. This article examines how the Taliban’s security cooperation with the SCO—particularly in counterterrorism and narcotics control—creates openings for political recognition and economic participation. By applying Barry Buzan’s security complex theory and the concept of third-generation regionalism, the study demonstrates that Afghanistan’s instability is deeply embedded in the Central Asian security complex, compelling SCO members to engage pragmatically with the Taliban. Findings suggest that while security cooperation generates opportunities for functional alignment and regional interdependence, it does not automatically lead to political convergence or economic integration. Instead, the Taliban’s participation in SCO-led security frameworks creates a conditional pathway toward limited legitimacy and selective economic cooperation.