Afghanistan International: Eric Ciotti, leader of France’s right-wing party The Republicans and a member of the National Assembly, met with Ahmad Massoud, head of Afghanistan’s National Resistance Front, during the latter’s visit to Paris this week. Ciotti affirmed that Massoud can count on his and his party’s continued support. Massoud travelled to France to attend
8am: While Türkiye, like other regional powers, maintains relatively cordial ties with the Taliban, it has also pursued a distinctive and multifaceted approach, most notably by openly hosting opposition factions. In this regard, Türkiye stands alone as the only country where a large number of anti-Taliban figures have found refuge and operate freely. These actors
Afghanistan International: Dozens of protesters were reportedly detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan’s northern Faryab province following a demonstration against the group’s police command in Dawlat Abad district, sources told Afghanistan International. At least four independent sources confirmed that protesters chanted “Long live Dostum”, a reference to Abdul Rashid Dostum, the former vice president and
Khaama: Shawn VanDiver, president of the refugee advocacy group AfghanEvac, has sharply criticized former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad for endorsing an Eid message by Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund. While Khalilzad remains a vocal commentator on Afghan affairs, his perceived closeness to the Taliban continues to raise alarms among Afghan diaspora communities and human
Afghanistan International: Fawzia Koofi, a former member of Afghanistan’s parliament, has rejected the Taliban’s recent invitation for former officials to return to the country, saying it is not an effort at reconciliation but a calculated move to silence dissenting voices. In a report published in May 2024, UNAMA stated that despite the Taliban’s announcement of
Tolo News: The Deputy Secretary of Uzbekistan’s National Security Council has disclosed that Uzbekistan had established relations with the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] before it returned to power in Afghanistan. Abdulaziz Kamilov described his country’s approach as reasonable and timely, adding that many countries that once criticized Uzbekistan for these relations have now changed their views.
Afghanistan International: Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s ambassador in Qatar has claimed that Iran and India no longer regard the group as a proxy of Pakistan. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Shaheen stated that both New Delhi and Tehran have come to recognise that this perception was inaccurate. He asserted that regional powers have
Afghanistan International: China has announced that Pakistan and the Taliban have agreed to elevate their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadors. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed the development, stating that Beijing supports the strengthening of ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although neither Pakistan nor China has formally recognised the Taliban government, both countries
Afghanistan International: Sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that Salahuddin Rabbani, Afghanistan’s former Foreign Minister and leader of a faction of the Jamiat-e Islami party, arrived in Tehran on Monday, 19 May. Rabbani is scheduled to meet with officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during his visit, sources said. Significantly, Rabbani’s arrival coincides with
Amu: According to sources, the move, which has not been publicly announced by the Taliban administration, sidelines the Taliban-run Ministry of Finance and centralizes decision-making in the leader’s stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Sources familiar with internal operations said Akhundzada has established a financial office in Kandahar through which he oversees national budgetary and revenue matters.