Michael Hughes: The rulers in Kabul from an “official” perspective have a level of plausible deniability with respect to the recent attack on a military barracks in northwest Pakistan. That is, as of now, there is no direct evidence the current de facto Afghan government was involved in the attack’s planning, resourcing, and/or execution. The
8am: Ashraf Ghani destroyed the institutions, which ultimately at the end of his rule, most of the ministries and directorates had been stripped of their authority, with the competing parallel departments neutralizing each other’s influence. During Ashraf Ghani’s era, the army experienced extreme management instability and most generals and military officials did not feel job
Michael Hughes: New Delhi’s policy towards Kabul since the Taliban takeover would probably impress the likes of one of the most famous realist practitioners in modern history – Henry Kissinger, who passed away at the age of 100 this week. Hindu nationalist India’s nuanced approach to the radical Sunni regime is in one sense somewhat
WarontheRocks: Contradicting Biden’s assessment, the Taliban’s 2021 ascension reinvigorated al-Qaeda’s Afghan operations. Al-Qaeda commanders are back in Afghanistan, swiftly reactivating the group’s presence. Training camps are now operational in five provinces, including Zabul and Nuristan, areas that Osama bin Laden once earmarked as crucial for al-Qaeda. In Nuristan, these camps are actively training suicide bombers,
Michael Hughes: The U.S. State Department shrugged its collective shoulders, so to speak, and seemed to say “not my problem” when pressed on the Taliban siphoning large portions of American humanitarian aid. Instead of taking any responsibility, the U.S. suggested international aid organizations should be blamed for getting ripped off by the radical movement. On
8am: The political movements that try to challenge the Taliban should not be established only in foreign countries aiming at exploiting the people again with the support of foreigners and a shift in their foreign policy. Such currents, even if they come to work with the support of foreigners, will still go through the same
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
Michael Hughes: Islamabad introduced trade restrictions targeting a frail Afghan economy because – apparently – threatening to send 1.7 refugees to Afghanistan wasn’t enough of a message to send the Taliban in one week. On the surface they appear more disruptive than anything, but the measures could be the opening salvo of a one-sided trade
Hujjatullah Zia via Al Jazeera: Climate change is bringing about more devastation, forcing more Afghans to flee. Deportations from neighbouring countries will not stop them. Click here to read more (external link).
Michael Hughes: The caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, in his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York City said Islamabad aims to take action against terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan, while in the same address accused India of “state terrorism.” The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the Taliban government and