Radio Free Afghanistan March 18, 2021 Representatives of the Afghan government, the Taliban, and several major countries have gathered in Moscow to push for a reduction in violence to advance the peace process in Afghanistan. “We hope that today’s conversation will help create conditions for achieving progressive inter-Afghan negotiations,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
Radio Free Afghanistan March 18, 2021 KABUL — Afghan officials say at least three people were killed and 11 wounded when a roadside bomb hit a vehicle carrying government employees in Kabul on March 18, as representatives of the Afghan government, the Taliban, and key countries gather in Moscow to push for a reduction in
RFE/RL Gandhara March 17, 2021 U.S. President Joe Biden has warned that a deadline set out in a deal made by his predecessor, Donald Trump, with the Taliban to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 1 “could happen, but it is tough.” He made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with ABC News
Ariana: The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out operations against Taliban insurgents in a number of districts in Kandahar province on Tuesday night, leaving at least 30 militants dead, security sources have confirmed. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 16, 2021 A further cut in international aid could cause the government in Afghanistan to collapse and return the country to chaos similar to the 1990s, a U.S. government watchdog has warned. The warning on March 16 by John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, comes amid efforts
Tolo News: A 16-member delegation of the Afghan government led by Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, will attend the Moscow meeting that will be held on Thursday, the reconciliation council confirmed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said it appreciates efforts made by Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and regional
Michael Hughes: The Afghan state will completely collapse if international donors pull funding due to concerns over corruption, which seems to be growing by the day. Predatory Afghan officials – often in league with warlords and transnational criminal organizations – are emptying government coffers as everyone seems to have their attention turned to whether or
Ariana: As US President Joe Biden’s administration wrestles with whether to extend troop presence in Afghanistan or withdraw by May 1 as per the deal with the Taliban, officials have said there are in fact more American troops on the ground than the reported 2,500. According to the New York Times, officials, both American and
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 13, 2021 The Afghan government has said it will take part in two separate peace conferences sponsored by the United States and Russia in the coming weeks. Russia has invited several regional players for the March 18 conference in Moscow. Separately, a U.S.-backed conference will be held in Turkey next
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 12, 2021 Russia says the Taliban should be included in any interim Afghan government as Moscow prepares to host a conference next week that is meant to move forward the peace process in the conflict-wracked country. The statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova came on March 12, hours