Trump’s Defense Nominee calls US Afghanistan exit ‘Painful Failure’
Hegseth
Khaama: Trump’s Defense Secretary Nominee Calls U.S. Exit from Afghanistan ‘Disastrous’ Amid Biden’s Defense of Withdrawal. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense, described the manner of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as “disastrous” just one day after President Joe Biden strongly defended his decision to end America’s involvement in the country. Hegseth, who has firsthand experience with the Afghanistan war, stated on Tuesday January 14 that the withdrawal was a “total failure,” citing the destruction of the military’s legacy, abandonment of allies, the deaths of U.S. soldiers, and the damage to America’s reputation. His harsh criticism of the “disastrous” exit came just a day after Biden highlighted the achievements of his administration, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, as a major accomplishment. Click here to read more (external link).
Retirees struggle as pension payments remain unpaid
Amu: Retirees voiced growing concerns over the Taliban’s failure to pay pensions, leaving many unable to afford basic necessities such as food or heating during a harsh winter. Rabia, a former teacher from Farah province, is among thousands of pensioners who have gone unpaid for more than three years. After dedicating nearly 35 years to the education sector, Rabia was forced to retire due to illness under the previous government. Now, she faces mounting financial hardship as the Taliban has not issued pension payments since taking control in 2021. Click here to read more (external link).
Explosion reported in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood
Amu: KABUL, Afghanistan — An explosion occurred near the Hanzala Mosque in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood moments ago, according to local sources. The National Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the explosion in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood, alleging that the attack killed two Taliban members, including a commander. In a statement, the group described the attack as “targeted and well-planned,” stating it was carried out near the entrance of the Taliban’s Military Prosecutor’s Office in the city’s 10th district. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban leader rejects Haqqanis’ push for key ministry appointment, sources say
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Amu: Internal divisions within the Taliban have resurfaced, as sources report that the Haqqani faction sought to appoint Ahmad Haqqani, the eldest son of Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, as the new minister of refugees. However, the Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, rejected the request by naming Abdul Kabir, the former deputy chief minister for political affairs, to lead the ministry. Six days after Akhundzada’s decision, there has been no official announcement of Abdul Kabir assuming his new role or any update regarding the now-vacant deputy prime minister position. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Removed My Teeth & Injected Fluids Into My Body, Claims Afghan-French Journalist
Taliban fighters (file photo)
Afghanistan International: Mortaza Behboudi, an Afghan-French journalist who was imprisoned by the Taliban for seven months, told France 2 that the Taliban “pulled out his teeth and tortured him with electric shocks and injected fluids into his body”. He said that he was tortured every day during the first three months of his imprisonment. In an interview with France 2, Behboudi said that he had not seen the sky for seven months in the Taliban’s intelligence prison. He said that the prisoners used to commit suicide in front of his eyes after being tortured by the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – January 14, 2025
Taliban Signed Cooperation Agreement With Al-Qaeda, Other Militants Before Coming To Power
Taliban militants (file photo)
Afghanistan International: Before returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban signed an agreement with the Pakistani Taliban, al-Qaeda and other foreign fighters. According to the agreement, the Taliban pledged to support foreign fighters in “jihad” and the establishment of a Sharia system in Pakistan after their victory. A source close to the Pakistani Taliban told Afghanistan International that Sirajuddin Haqqani signed the agreement with leaders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaeda commanders, Hafiz Gul Bahadur, leader of the Ittehadul Mujahideen Shura of North Waziristan, Maulvi Sadiq Noor Dawar and some other Taliban leaders in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan. Click here to read more (external link).
Joe Biden: China and Russia wanted the US stuck in Afghanistan
Khaama: U.S. President Joe Biden, in a speech reflecting on his foreign policy legacy, defended the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, stating it allowed his administration to focus on “more immediate challenges.” Biden emphasized that rival powers like Russia and China were pleased to see the U.S. entangled in Afghanistan and said, “Nothing made our adversaries happier than seeing us stuck there for another decade.” He reiterated that ending the war was the right decision and expressed confidence that history would validate his choice to withdraw U.S. forces. Click here to read more (external link).
Related
The Dire Situation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
8am: Over the past two years, the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has increasingly deteriorated, becoming more critical and catastrophic. Thousands of refugees are forcibly deported and subjected to violent and brutal treatment by the Pakistani police. Ignoring the plight of the distressed and those who have sought refuge out of necessity, the Pakistani police cruelly arrest Afghan women, children, and the elderly. They extort money from them and, when unable to pay bribes, the refugees are expelled in extremely dire and degrading conditions. Former military personnel, media, and civil activists have been arrested upon deportation by the Taliban, with some even facing execution. Click here to read more (external link).