Michael Hughes: The Taliban, an insurgent outfit that now acts as de facto authorities, have proven adept at tax collection, budget balancing and even external trade. However, their complete incapacity in the face of the recent earthquakes is a disturbing sign for the future of Afghanistan – a country prone to natural cataclysms – from
8am: The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has uncovered that the Taliban indirectly access U.S. educational assistance, generating tax revenues for the group. The report highlights the taxation of the income of employees of U.S.-funded educational programs and the tax revenue generated from the sale of American aid items by the Taliban.
Khaama: The United Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry issued a solid advisory to its citizens, strongly discouraging travel to Afghanistan due to elevated security concerns. In an official statement, the ministry cautioned that terrorists are highly likely to attempt attacks within Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).
Reuters: The Taliban administration wants to formally join Chinese President Xi Jinping’s huge ‘Belt and Road’ infrastructure initiative and will send a technical team to China for talks, Afghanistan’s acting commerce minister [Nooruddin Azizi] said on Thursday. Click here to read more (external link).
Khaama: On Thursday morning, residents of Afghanistan’s western Herat province were abruptly shaken awake as yet another earthquake, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, struck, further amplifying their apprehensions and highlighting the ongoing seismic challenges faced by the region. The epicentre of this recent seismic event was pinpointed in the Qara Bagh area, situated approximately
Lisa Schlein VOA News October 18, 2023 GENEVA — U.N. aid officials said Tuesday that they are racing against time to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of earthquake survivors in western Afghanistan, north of the city of Herat, before winter sets in and people whose houses have been destroyed are exposed to freezing
Roshan Noorzai VOA News October 18, 2023 WASHINGTON — This week, China’s Belt and Road forum in Beijing was not only a chance for Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold meetings with world leaders, it also was a rare opportunity for the Taliban, which has yet to be recognized by any country. The Taliban’s attendance at
Tolo News: A US senator has criticized the process of sending money to Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate. The Senator says that he has suggested legislation preventing US money flowing into Afghanistan. “I have introduced legislation to stop all funds from going to Taliban controlled Afghanistan. And will do so again this week!” reads the
Ayaz Gul VOA News October 15, 2023 ISLAMABAD — A pair of strong earthquakes shook western Afghanistan on Sunday, disrupting the power supply to Herat province, which was already reeling from a week of devastating quakes. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.3 and 5.5 quakes struck 20 minutes apart early morning, with their epicenters
The Conversation: Over 1,000 people are thought to have been killed in the latest earthquake to hit Afghanistan. Humanitarian aid agencies are scrambling to help the affected villages. But the realities of Taliban rule are starting to have an impact on the ground, as relations between the authorities and NGOs fray. Taliban policies and governance