"However, experts warn against taking this approach as an example: "The Taliban are always very willing to accept advance payments, but if they offer something in return, things get very complicated," Hans-Jakob Schindler from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) in The Hague told Deutsche Welle. And German Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig also suspects in an interview with the broadcaster that "a kind of salami tactic" would appeal to the Taliban."

"Hans-Jakob Schindler, a Middle East expert at Counter Extremism Project (CEP), believes Russia's Foreign Ministry might be expecting something in return for delisting the Taliban as a terrorist group. But that might be easier said than done."

"Hans-Jakob Schindler, an expert on the Middle East at the international organization "Counter Extremism Project" (CEP), says that although he is not familiar with the internal decision-making processes of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it can be assumed that Russia expects some form of quid pro quo for the offer to remove the Taliban from its terrorist list."

“... What does that mean? Although he does not know the internal decision-making processes in the Russian Foreign Ministry, says Hans-Jakob Schindler from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) in The Hague. However, it can be assumed that Russia expects "something in return" for the offer to remove the Taliban from the terror list. However, that could cause problems: "The Taliban are always very willing to accept advance payments, but if there is something in return, things get very complicated with them." The German Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig sees the Kremlin's initiative as "a kind of salami tactic: very small steps towards official recognition - which the Taliban certainly likes." The next step after being removed from the terror list could be the recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate state power in Afghanistan, experts believe.”

"Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Berlin- and New York-based Counter Extremism Project, says drugs are 'just one of the standard income streams for terrorism financing'"

"When the US signed the Doha agreement with the Taliban in 2020, accelerating its withdrawal from Afghanistan, it contained measures specifically aimed at preventing al-Qaeda from gaining another foothold there.

But a new report circulating among Western diplomats, outlines how al-Qaeda is being allowed to rake in tens of millions of dollars a week - all under the watch of Taliban leaders.

Guest: Dr Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director of the Berlin- and New York-based Counter Extremism Project and an expert on terrorism"

"The lack of international attention on Afghanistan’s renewed terror threat is laying the groundwork for what Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director of the Berlin- and New York-based Counter Extremism Project, called a “back to the future” repeat of the atrocities committed by al Qaeda, with Taliban collusion, in the United States in September 2001."

"Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director of the Berlin- and New York-based Counter Extremism Project, doesn’t believe the ban is genuine, let alone long-term. He regards it as an attempt to maximize profits while lulling the international community into recognizing the Taliban. Or it’s a diversification play."