8am: Support for the Taliban on social media, especially from individuals who are dissatisfied with living under Taliban control, is a glaring hypocrisy. If someone believes that this group deserves support, they should first choose to experience life under its rule themselves. If they are unwilling to subject themselves and their own families to Taliban
Michael Hughes: As tensions between the Taliban government in Kabul and its longtime benefactors in Pakistan continue to boil, India is quietly enhancing its reputation inside Afghanistan through various humanitarian efforts, especially through food aid, although the assistance is no solution to long-term structural and governance challenges. Click here to read more.
8am: In early September 2021, General Faiz Hameed, the former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), made a surprise visit to Kabul in order to resolve the dispute concerning the formation of the Taliban cabinet. When asked about the future of Afghanistan, Hameed smiled and said, “Everything will be alright.” Pakistani strategists believed that the
8am: Following the recent border conflict between the Taliban and Iranian border guards, Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF), tweeted a stanza of Rumi’s famous poems, indicating that he had warned Iran not to go to the Taliban as he himself was the true acquaintance of Iran. This tweet provoked a
8am: Recent fluctuations in the relations between the Iranian government and the Taliban have sparked discussions among Afghans, as well as among politicians, analysts, and media activists. Speculations about the future of Iran’s relationship with the Taliban have emerged. Some argue that Iran made a mistake in defending the Taliban and is now seeking to
8am: The Doha peace agreement, which was the result of Zalmay Khalilzad’s efforts as the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, was signed between the United States and the Taliban. This agreement led to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the fall of the previous government, and the reinstatement of the Taliban. Recently,
8am: Pakistan is renowned for its founding and backing of the Taliban, having more sway over the group than other countries in the region and the West. This influence is derived from the leverage Pakistan has in its relationship with the Taliban. Many of the Taliban’s leaders and officials who were trained in Pakistan have
8am: The question here is whether the current conflict over Hirmand water is serious? And do the threats from Iranian officials and lower-ranking Taliban fighters signal the seriousness of the conflict? – The answer to the two questions above is “no.” Engaging in a military conflict is not beneficial for either Iran or the Taliban.
8am: Over the course of Ghani‘s six–year administration, tensions between Iran and Afghanistan were high, particularly concerning the Helmand River and Iran‘s water rights. Ghani used the water issue for propaganda purposes, publicly stating that Afghanistan would not give away its water for free and that it was a matter of honor. This tone was
Michael Hughes: Afghan-born Western cowboy Zalmay Khalilzad cannot refrain from meddling in Central and South Asian affairs, with his crosshairs now focused on Islamabad, amid former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s struggle against the country’s military. In a new interview with Dawn, he went so far as to suggest the country’s problems could ignite a war