How Taliban 2.0’s Subnational Governance Is Managing Resistance in Northeastern Afghanistan

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Afghan Resistance Leaders: Zia (left) and Massoud (right)

The Diplomat: Taliban 2.0 have moved beyond traditional methods of administration and have been largely involved in managing anti-government forces rather than defeating them in numbers. This process began much earlier, around 2011, particularly in the northern provinces — the epicenter of anti-Taliban forces. 600 men from Panjshir have been incorporated into the Taliban’s defense and interior ministries, with another 1,500 to be recruited to protect Taliban interests in the province. Click here to read more (external link).

UN Says Uyghur Militants Move Freely in Afghanistan

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Khaama: A UN Security Council sanctions monitoring committee reported that members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Turkistan Islamic Party move freely across Afghanistan. According to the report, the groups finance their activities through involvement in poppy cultivation and mining operations, strengthening their presence in the region. The committee also cited reports that around 250 members joined Taliban police units in 2025, while fighters from Syria and neighboring countries were urged to relocate to Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).

Related

Pakistan May Act Against Militants in Afghanistan Before Ramadan, Minister Warns

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Khaama: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told ARY News that Pakistan may take action against militants operating from Afghanistan if security threats continue unchecked. He said some level of contact with Taliban authorities remains in place, but militant activity targeting Pakistan has not declined despite ongoing discussions. Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups based in Afghanistan, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of carrying out cross-border attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians. Click here to read more (external link).

Khalilzad questions whether Pakistan played a ‘double game’ in Afghanistan war

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Khalilzad

Ariana: Former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has questioned whether Pakistan pursued a “double game” during the war in Afghanistan, following recent remarks by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif about Islamabad’s role after the September 11 attacks. Speaking in Pakistan’s parliament, Asif said the country had effectively “rented itself to the United States” by aligning with Washington in the U.S.-led war on terror. Click here to read more (external link).

South Africa edge thriller against Afghanistan in double Super Over

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Amu: South Africa beat Afghanistan in a dramatic double Super Over after the teams were tied on 187 in their T20 World Cup Group D clash on Wednesday, boosting their position at the top of the standings.  Afghanistan next play the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 16, before taking on Canada on Feb. 19. Victory in those games would keep their qualification hopes alive, though net run rate could prove decisive. Click here to read more (external link).

Other Afghan Sports News

Afghanistan Remains Among World’s Most Corrupt Countries

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Afghanistan International: Afghanistan remains among the world’s most corrupt countries, according to Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which shows the country’s ranking worsening slightly in 2025 under Taliban rule. The report shows Afghanistan scored 16 out of 100, ranking 169th out of 182 countries. In 2024, the country scored 17 points, placing 165th out of 180 countries. Click here to read more (external link).

Pakistan defense minister makes rare admission on political motives behind Afghanistan wars

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Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Amu: Speaking during a session of Pakistan’s National Assembly on Monday, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan’s participation in wars linked to Afghanistan, beginning during the Cold War and continuing after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, was a strategic choice made to secure international support, particularly from the United States.  “We did not enter these wars to defend Islam or for jihad,” Asif told lawmakers. “We entered them for political legitimacy and to secure the support of a superpower.”  The defense minister said Pakistan failed to learn from the aftermath of the Soviet withdrawal and again aligned itself with Washington after the 9/11 attacks, remaining involved in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan for nearly two decades.  “For not one decade, but two decades, we rented ourselves out,” he said. “The only objective was to gain American support.” Click here to read more (external link).

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