Introduction. After 20 years since the fall of its regime, the Taliban has once again come to power in Afghanistan. In the presented article, the author tries to understand whether the Taliban’s approach to governing the country has changed and what challenges the world community will have to face in connection with the formation of a terrorist organization as a political force.

Materials and methods. Along with general scientific methods, the author applies an institutional approach and a cross-temporal method that allows to follow the transformation of the policy adapted by the Taliban that functioned as a state power institute in the period 1996—2001 and August—December 2021. The empirical basis of the study comprises a large amount of monographs and scientific articles provided by Russian and foreign researchers, speeches by political leaders and representatives of the expert community, statements of terrorist organizations leaders.

Results of the study. The author explains similar historical context of coming Taliban to power in Afghanistan. The article reveals a transformation of the role and place of the movement in the domestic political process of the country.

Discussion. There is continuity in the Taliban 2.0 approach to the principles of building a management system. The key difference lies in the changed self-positioning of the movement in the international arena in order to obtain not only economic assistance, but also to achieve official recognition as a legitimate political force.

Conclusion. Taliban’s coming to power for the second time is a consequence of the internal political situation that has developed in Afghanistan, after 2014. International community considers this organization as a guarantor of internal stability in the country. Nevertheless, in order to be officially recognized Taliban has to answer a number of big internal challenges.

Key words: Taliban, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Russia, terrorist threat.
10.56429/2414-4894-2021-38-4-37-51