Lavrov
Khaama: Russia emphasizes the need for an inclusive political structure in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of ethnic representation in governance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in China, called for “national unity” in Afghanistan and the involvement of various ethnic and political groups in the country’s power structure. Lavrov emphasized that nearly all members of the organization have strengthened their bilateral relations with the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Crises Group: The Islamic State-Khorasan Province based in Afghanistan seems to be losing steam, staging fewer deadly attacks. But it remains dangerous. More robust law enforcement cooperation will be vital to keep containing this group and any other ISIS branch that may seek to replace it. 
8am: Some journalists working in media outlets controlled by the Taliban have complained about discriminatory treatment toward the Persian language. They state that some media managers, driven by a desire to curry favor with the Taliban and linguistic biases, have used the group’s name to justify efforts to eliminate Persian words. These journalists highlight instances such as the removal of university signboards written in Persian and the prohibition of Persian terms in educational and academic institutions, emphasizing that such actions have created opportunities for misuse by individuals outside the Taliban’s official structure. Zahra (pseudonym), a journalist who worked at a local media outlet, said: “After the Taliban took control, the use of certain words deemed sensitive by the group was banned. There was constant emphasis on avoiding these words and using Pashto equivalents instead.” 
Khaama: Amid the looming threat of deportation for thousands of Afghan refugees in the United States, Amnesty International has issued a strong warning, stating that no one should be forced to return to dangerous conditions. In a post on X on Tuesday, July 15, Amnesty highlighted that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 12,000 Afghan refugees in the U.S. has officially ended, placing them at imminent risk of arrest and removal. The organization condemned the U.S. government’s move, calling it a betrayal of the promises made to Afghan refugees, many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover seeking safety and stability. 
Ariana: The United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, has expressed deep concern over the country’s low literacy rates, stating that Afghanistan ranks among the nations with the highest levels of illiteracy globally. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Kabul Book Festival on Monday, Otunbayeva revealed that only 50% of Afghan men and approximately 20% of Afghan women are literate.