Taliban Ill-Prepared for Afghan Governance Balancing Act

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Michael Hughes: Former U.S. diplomat Carter Malkasian in his recent book on the war in Afghanistan says Ashraf Ghani as president had felt “centralized reform” was the strategy to defeat the Taliban and raise the country into modernity. Malkasian also points out what turns out to be quite a prescient passage in Ghani’s own book, Fixing Failed States (2009).

“In the twentieth century, illegitimate networks will not be conquered except through hierarchical organizations that have legitimacy. Solutions to our current problems of insecurity, poverty, and lack of growth all converge on the need for a state-building project,” Ghani’s book states as quoted by Malkasian in The American War in Afghanistan: A History (2021).

Of course, Ghani’s state-building vision was never realized – in fact hundreds of millions of dollars were wasted on failed reconstruction projects under – and as a result of – his corruption-plagued regime. In addition, Ghani, despite his deep concern with the poverty-stricken conditions of his country, decided to flee and may have stolen millions on his way out right before the Taliban captured Kabul.

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Iranian Top Envoy Meets Taliban Officials

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8am: According to the embassy, Qomi will meet with Taliban officials to discuss regional issues, refugees, humanitarian aid, the formation of an inclusive government and other economic issues. Click here to read more (external link).

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Afghan FM confirms Kabul ‘mediating’ talks between Pakistan, TTP

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Muttaqi

Al Jazeera: The Taliban is acting as a mediator between the Pakistani government and the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister has said. In an interview to the BBC’s Urdu service on Sunday, Amir Khan Muttaqi said the Afghan Taliban had stepped in at the “request” of both parties. Click here to read more (external link).

High school girls will go to next grade should schools stay shut this year

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Ariana: The closure of high schools for girls has raised serious concerns among Afghans. “We can’t accept the upgrade as a principle. We hope that Taliban (IEA) will allow girls to continue their education and higher education as girls do in the other countries,” said Shukria Barakzai, an activist. Click here to read more (external link).

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Afghan Currency Hits Two-Decade Low, Foretelling Higher Food, Fuel Prices

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Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
November 15, 2021

Afghanistan’s national currency has reached its lowest level in the past two decades against the U.S. dollar as the war-ravaged country’s economy struggles to stay afloat following the Taliban takeover.

The November 14 exchange rate on the foreign-exchange market Sarai Shahzada was quoted at 95 afghanis for one dollar.

Two days earlier, the rate was 91.5 afghanis to one U.S. dollar.

The new Afghan currency was first printed in Germany in 2002 at a rate of 43 afghanis to one dollar.

Before the Taliban takeover in mid-August, the previous government in Kabul supported the value of the national currency by regularly injecting dollars into the market.

Since the takeover, many Western countries, including the United States, have frozen Afghan funds in their banks and have stopped providing financial support that had been offered to the previous government.

With the fall in the currency’s value against the dollar, fuel and food prices are sure to rise in the country as costs to import products increase.

Based on reporting by dpa and MSN

Copyright (c) 2021. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

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People gather to support NRF all over the world

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