8am: Khalilzad is one of the most recognizable figures in Afghanistan’s political landscape over the past four decades, from the Cold War to the disastrous U.S. exit from Afghanistan. However, to better understand and clarify his actions and career, it is necessary to delve into his life so that readers can gain a clearer picture
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Farangis Najibullah Khursand Khurramov September 22, 2024 Central Asian countries are taking steps to broaden relations with their southern neighbor, the Taliban-led Afghanistan, despite the hard-line group’s increasingly restrictive policies, particularly toward women. Kyrgyzstan removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations earlier this month, Turkmenistan resumed work with Afghanistan
Khaama: A former Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, addressing the Taliban, said, “Do you want us to harbour your opponents in Pakistan and organize attacks against Afghanistan from here?” In an interview with Radio Mashaal, Durrani emphasized that the Taliban must act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and hand them over to Islamabad. Click here
By Ayaz Gul VOA News September 20, 2024 Islamabad — Pakistan and Iran have sharply criticized diplomats from the de facto Taliban government in neighboring Afghanistan for showing “disrespect” to their national anthems in breach of diplomatic norms. The controversy arose earlier this week after the Taliban consul general, Mohibullah Shakir, and his colleague remained seated during
8am: The Vienna Summit, now recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives as the sole political opposition to the Taliban, presents a valuable opportunity for political and military opponents of the Taliban, both inside and outside Afghanistan, to unite and coordinate their efforts to form a clear alternative for a post-Taliban future. The presence of
Michael Hughes: In his farewell address as NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg suggested the weakness of the Afghan central government was decisive in the coalition failing to win the war against the Taliban, and undermined the alliance’s mission, which was justified in pursuit of countering international terrorism. “After 20 years we were still not winning
Tolo News: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that diplomats representing the Islamic Emirate began their work at the Afghan Embassy in Oman this past Sunday. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the reopening of the Islamic Emirate’s embassy in Oman is expected to play
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi September 16, 2024 Veteran Afghan warlord and former politician Abdul Rashid Dostum has urged groups that oppose the fundamentalist Taliban to unite to form a government-in-exile for Afghanistan to challenge that extremist group’s unrecognized leadership. Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek and longtime kingmaker who along with his private army has been accused of past rights
Al Jazeera: While Akhundzada appears in control, signs of growing internal divisions have surfaced. In February 2023, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani implicitly criticised him, saying, “Monopolising power and hurting the reputation of the entire system are not to our benefit. … The situation cannot be tolerated.” Click here to read more (external link).
By Abubakar Siddique and Faiza Ibrahimi Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 13, 2024 After the Taliban’s de facto government cut ties with a number of diplomatic missions operated abroad by diplomats loyal to the ousted Afghan republic, the British and Norwegian authorities have opted to shut down Afghan embassies on their soil. Both Oslo and