Amarillo Gazette

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul have introduced the Countering Chinese and Russian Support for the Taliban Act. The bill aims to address the expanding relationship between the Taliban and China and Russia, which poses a significant threat to national security.

The legislation calls for a report to be delivered to Congress, detailing the nefarious relationship between the Taliban and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as well as Russia. The report would shed light on the growing influence of these bad actors on the Taliban, particularly in the aftermath of the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Rep. Jackson emphasized the consequences of the botched withdrawal, stating, "The costs of President Biden's botched Afghanistan withdrawal weakened America's hand against our foremost adversaries, China and Russia." He further highlighted how China and Russia saw the withdrawal as an opportunity to expand their geopolitical influence in the region.

Acknowledging the threat posed by the Taliban's association with China and Russia, Rep. Jackson stressed the importance of mitigating and restraining the geopolitical influence of these adversaries. He noted that their actions not only pose national security threats to American interests but also endanger the stability of the Middle East, with Iran stoking the flames of war.

Rep. Jackson expressed his pride in introducing this legislation alongside Chairman McCaul, stating, "I am proud to introduce this legislation with the support of Chairman Michael McCaul to protect our national security interests and keep Americans and our service members safe from our enemies who are emboldened under the current administration."

Chairman McCaul echoed Rep. Jackson's concerns about the dangerous state of the world and the need to address the intentions of adversaries who aim to undermine US interests. He stated, "The world has not been this dangerous since World War II, and the administration can no longer underestimate our adversaries' intentions to undercut US interests at every turn."

The Countering Chinese and Russian Support for the Taliban Act seeks to examine the malign relationship between the Taliban, the CCP, and Russia, with the aim of safeguarding national security. By shedding light on the extent of Chinese and Russian support for the Taliban, the legislation aims to protect American interests and ensure the safety of US service members.

This legislation comes at a critical time when the United States needs to reassess its approach to global threats and take proactive measures to counter the influence of these adversaries. The bill underscores the importance of vigilance and strategic action in safeguarding national security interests.