Michael Hughes: Islamabad appears to be laying the groundwork for regional partnerships to strangle Afghanistan from all sides as tensions escalate with the Taliban over cross-border attacks resulting in decade-high deaths of Pakistani troops. However, although Pakistan has found a willing ally in Tajikistan, it will be harder to secure cooperation from other actors in
8am: Ashraf Ghani was just another passport holder who had spent most of his life in the West and was married to a Christian woman from Lebanon. Despite spending his childhood in Kabul, he was alien to Afghanistan and its people. His obvious mistakes in performing namaz (Prayer) and reciting Farsi poems became subjects of
8am: Many still wonder whether Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada exists. Some say no, others say yes. At times, bizarre and laughable rumors circulate, too absurd to mention. For instance, some suggest that Hamid Karzai is Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. This perception stems from Karzai’s past Taliban-friendly policies and stances, which led people to draw such conclusions. Yet,
Michael Hughes: The terrorists now ruling post-Assad Syria have publicly vowed to abandon their extremist ways in a bid to secure funding and legitimacy from the international community – in addition to the easing of sanctions. The statements sound eerily similar to those that emanated from Taliban 2.0 as the radical movement recaptured Kabul. Which
Arab News: While Daesh immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, the situation may not be so straightforward. In the past, Daesh has been known to claim responsibility for attacks it had no part in to boost its image. A more plausible explanation is that this was an inside job, reflecting the fractured nature of the
The Diplomat: The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marks a turning point not only for Syria but also for Islamist movements worldwide. For the Taliban, this moment is bittersweet. While the collapse of a rival regime offers a symbolic victory, the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) poses a direct ideological and strategic challenge.
Michael Hughes: Nearly 23 million vulnerable Afghans, most of them children, will likely suffer more than usual this winter because the Taliban have intensified restrictions that hinder UN aid delivery. “In 2025, 22.9 million people [in Afghanistan] will require humanitarian assistance, including 12.4 million children,” UNICEF said in a statement released on December 5. “The
Michael Hughes: The Taliban stroked President Donald Trump’s ego with a love letter that directly led to the administration’s decision to accelerate negotiations, strike the Doha deal, and withdraw forces from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year conflict. However, the Trump 2.0 administration is dangerous because the man does not need to get re-elected. Trump does not
By Muhammad Murad via The Diplomat: In Trump, Afghanistan sees a familiar face – the man who threw them into this chaos. The de facto rulers of Afghanistan, however, see a different picture. Taliban leaders see a man who gave in to their demands and agreed to negotiate with them directly without considering the erstwhile
“The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.” – Jean Jacques Rousseau Michael Hughes: At some point, based on the laws of human nature, Afghans will no doubt say “enough.” The violations of universal social norms, incompetence, and instability make for a perfect