Khaama: Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister under the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan, continues to draw international attention as signs of evolving U.S. policy emerge. Sources close to the Haqqani network have told Afghan outlet Tolo News that the reward designations on key figures of the group have been lifted by the U.S. government. According
Ariana: Establishing an inclusive government, respecting human rights, especially the rights of women and minorities, and combating terrorist groups and drugs have always been considered important preconditions for the international community to recognize the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read more (external link). Related New School Year Begins: Taliban Ring the School Bell in the
Amu: Three prominent opponents of the Taliban—Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, Atta Mohammad Noor, and Latif Pedram—have called for a “new narrative” to shape Afghanistan’s future, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive political structure. Speaking in a virtual discussion hosted by Noor’s faction of the Jamiat-e-Islami party, Qanooni, a senior figure in the National Resistance Council
Afghanistan International: Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, has gone into hiding over fears of assassination, according to Ahmad Zia Saraj, former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS). Saraj told Afghanistan International that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada suspects Haqqani and several officials of plotting a coup. He believes foreign countries may have backed
Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is reportedly planning to convene a Loya Jirga in an effort to transition his administration from an interim government to a recognised ruling body. However, political opponents, Afghan political figures inside Afghanistan, women, and human rights activists are expected to be excluded from the gathering. The assembly is expected
Long War Journal: “The fifth round of the Vienna Process brought together over 90 participants, making it the largest gathering on Afghanistan since 2021,” Ali Nazary, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front, an alliance of former Northern Alliance members and additional anti-Taliban fighters, told FDD’s Long War Journal. Click here to read
Amu: Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, has not returned to Afghanistan more than 40 days after traveling to the United Arab Emirates, sources told Amu TV. Haqqani, who left for the UAE on Jan. 22, remains outside the country as reports of growing tensions within the Taliban leadership continue to emerge. Click here to
Afghanistan International: During his visit to Iran, Afghan jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf urged the Taliban to establish a Shurā-ye Ḥall wa ‘Aqd, a council composed of “those who are qualified to unbind and to bind”—also described as “the people who loosen and bind”—instead of holding elections. This council, a concept in Sunni Islamic
8am: Several political movements in various countries have initiated discussions on Afghanistan’s future political system over the past three years. Most recently, the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan held a meeting in Vienna, where it introduced its proposed constitution for the post-Taliban political system. The Assembly stated that its proposed constitution consists of 12 chapters and
Michael Hughes: Trump 2.0 and Taliban 2.0 were likely destined to clash, but who knew the unlikely bedfellows would kill their marriage within weeks of the Dealmaker-In-Chief reentering the Oval Office. We knew Trump would go after the $7 billion in military aid the U.S. left behind in Afghanistan, but less foreseeable was the radical