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Can Russia help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan?

Russia has close ties with the Taliban and is courting Islamabad, but analysts say its influence over the two neighbors is far from certain.

On air: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:51 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: Pavel Kazachkov · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · World

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 11:51 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Al Jazeera's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Russia — Photo: Pavel Kazachkov · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Al Jazeera: “Can Russia help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan?”
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:51 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Al JazeeraCan Russia help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan?

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Islamabad and Kabul this morning, the question is whether Russia can calm the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and analysts say its leverage is uncertain.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo Russia is the neighbor who gets called when two other neighbors stop speaking.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMoscow has close ties with the Taliban and is courting Islamabad at the same time.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt wants to be trusted by both, which is a lot to ask of anyone.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFriends with both. That's a dangerous seat at a dinner.

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