National Review: The Taliban are methodically collecting as much information about the Afghan population as possible, looking for anyone who has, in their eyes, been tainted or corrupted by Western influences or values. Hiding Afghan allies of the U.S. are now wondering if it is worth it to try making the dangerous journey to sneak
Bloomberg: Taliban leaders would not hold power in Kabul today if not for Pakistani support. The haven that Taliban commanders, their families and their fighters received within Pakistan allowed the insurgents — devastated and scattered by the initial U.S. invasion in 2001 — to rebuild their ranks. For nearly two decades, elements within the Pakistani
Tolo News: Some Panjshir residents said “90 percent” of locals left their homes and fled to the mountains following the clashes between the Taliban and the Resistance Front forces in the past weeks, and they face serious issues. “An economic crisis has emerged, people are struggling with economic problems,” a resident said. “From 100 percent,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 17, 2021 The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the Taliban’s “mounting attacks” on press freedoms with at least 153 media organizations being forced to cease operations as the hard-line Islamist group solidifies its rule over the country. In a statement on September 17, the world’s largest organization of journalists also
By RFE/RL’s Tajik Service September 17, 2021 Leaders of the Russia- and China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have urged the world to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets and boost assistance to the war-torn nation as it teeters on the brink of crisis following the Taliban’s return to power last month. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart,
The Taliban are destroying the historic Greshk Fortress in Helmand and building a religious school in its place. This is the fort where Amir Timur wounded in his leg. pic.twitter.com/lqFUKLXiep — Bamiyan | بامیان (@BamiyanLove) September 16, 2021
By Farangis Najibullah Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 16, 2021 A championship runner in Kabul says the uniforms she and other Afghan sportswomen wore in domestic and international competitions fully covered their bodies and didn’t violate the Islamic hijab norms as the Taliban claims. The 24-year-old professional athlete, whose name is being withheld for her protection,
Patsy Widakuswara VOA News September 15, 2021 WHITE HOUSE — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered to Congress this week an unwavering defense of the Biden administration’s exit from Afghanistan, in which he outlined the administration’s priorities for the country going forward. Here are those priorities and the challenges in meeting them. Assisting Americans and
Michael Hughes AOPNEWS September 15, 2021 A group of American senators, led by intelligence panel vice chair Marco Rubio, introduced legislation on Wednesday directing the U.S. Secretary of State to designate the Taliban movement as a state sponsor of terrorism as well as an illegitimate regime. The move comes as the U.S. and international community
By Ron Synovitz Abubakar Siddique Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 15, 2021 It has been just a month since Taliban militants seized control of Kabul and declared Afghanistan as an “Islamic emirate” that will uphold the militant movement’s interpretation of “Islamic rules and Shari’a law.” But already, the new Taliban regime is struggling to deal with