Afghanistan



Taliban Call for Stop to Afghan Brain Drain

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 30, 2023 WASHINGTON — The Taliban have called on Western countries to stop evacuating and resettling educated and skilled Afghans abroad, saying the practice hurts Afghanistan. Boasting about improved security in the war-ravaged cou
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Call for Stop to Afghan Brain Drain

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 30, 2023 WASHINGTON — The Taliban have called on Western countries to stop evacuating and resettling educated and skilled Afghans abroad, saying the practice hurts Afghanistan. Boasting about improved security in the war-ravaged country, Taliban leaders say all Afghans, including those who had worked for the previous Afghan government, are safeRead More...

Afghan Drug Trade; Cartels, Trafficking Route, and Government Complicity

Khaama: Several related economic activities are involved in Afghanistan drug trafficking. Cartels maintain a symbiotic relationship with the Taliban by giving farmers advances to plant ephedra and opium while providing the financial assistance necessary to ke
Afghan Online Press

Afghan Drug Trade; Cartels, Trafficking Route, and Government Complicity

Khaama: Several related economic activities are involved in Afghanistan drug trafficking. Cartels maintain a symbiotic relationship with the Taliban by giving farmers advances to plant ephedra and opium while providing the financial assistance necessary to keep the jihadist proto-state alive. These cartels use Pakistani sources to facilitate the acquisition of chemicals required to produce drugs.Read More...

Taliban Crack Down on Barbers: Trimming Beards Now a Criminal Offense

8am: Local sources in Nimruz province have reported that the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued a warning to barbers in Zaranj city, urging them to refrain from shaving their customers’ beards. According to
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Crack Down on Barbers: Trimming Beards Now a Criminal Offense

8am: Local sources in Nimruz province have reported that the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued a warning to barbers in Zaranj city, urging them to refrain from shaving their customers’ beards. According to the sources, the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of ViceRead More...

Ashraf Ghani’s Legacy for Afghanistan: A Bankrupt Government and a Desperate Nation

8am: Many who worked in the Afghan government between 2014 and 2021 expressed dissatisfaction with Ghani’s management style, characterizing him as a micro-manager. Ghani was known to become irate over minor matters, and he was often insulting to ministers a
Afghan Online Press

Ashraf Ghani’s Legacy for Afghanistan: A Bankrupt Government and a Desperate Nation

8am: Many who worked in the Afghan government between 2014 and 2021 expressed dissatisfaction with Ghani’s management style, characterizing him as a micro-manager. Ghani was known to become irate over minor matters, and he was often insulting to ministers and other high-ranking government officials. Additionally, he was an extremely authoritarian and dictatorial manager, wanting toRead More...

Afghan Singer Arrested For Putting Taliban Verses To Music

 An Afghan singer who was well-known for supporting the Taliban has fallen foul of the militants. Khosh Naseeb was arrested after putting Taliban verses to music.
Afghan Online Press

Afghan Singer Arrested For Putting Taliban Verses To Music

 An Afghan singer who was well-known for supporting the Taliban has fallen foul of the militants. Khosh Naseeb was arrested after putting Taliban verses to music.

Iran’s Share in Afghan Fuel Market Plummets

Financial Tribune: Iran’s share in Afghanistan’s gasoline and diesel market has reduced significantly over the last three months, the head of the Board of Directors at the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Exporters Association. “The neighboring st
Afghan Online Press

Iran’s Share in Afghan Fuel Market Plummets

Financial Tribune: Iran’s share in Afghanistan’s gasoline and diesel market has reduced significantly over the last three months, the head of the Board of Directors at the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Exporters Association. “The neighboring state is meeting its demand by purchasing fuel from other countries, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan,” Hamid Hosseini wasRead More...

Taliban Shut Down Girls’ Education in Jaghori District: A Step Backward in Progress

8am: Reliable sources from Jaghori have informed Hasht-e Subh that on Monday, May 29, the Taliban warned the officials of educational centers in this district that they are not allowed to admit girls until further notice. The closed centers include those tha
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Shut Down Girls’ Education in Jaghori District: A Step Backward in Progress

8am: Reliable sources from Jaghori have informed Hasht-e Subh that on Monday, May 29, the Taliban warned the officials of educational centers in this district that they are not allowed to admit girls until further notice. The closed centers include those that offer English language, computer, and academic subjects. Click here to read more (externalRead More...

Militant Groups in Afghanistan Looking To Topple Central Asian Governments

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine is capturing much of the world’s attention, but Central Asia is more concerned about what’s happening south of the border in Afghanistan. There are several militant groups in northe
Afghan Online Press

Militant Groups in Afghanistan Looking To Topple Central Asian Governments

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine is capturing much of the world’s attention, but Central Asia is more concerned about what’s happening south of the border in Afghanistan. There are several militant groups in northern Afghanistan who hope to topple the Tajik and Uzbek governments. Some of these groups are allies ofRead More...

Border Clashes Subside Between Iran, Afghanistan

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 28, 2023 ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and neighboring Iran said Sunday deadly clashes between their border security forces had subsided, with both sides engaging in talks to ease tensions. The skirmishes erupte
Afghan Online Press

Border Clashes Subside Between Iran, Afghanistan

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 28, 2023 ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and neighboring Iran said Sunday deadly clashes between their border security forces had subsided, with both sides engaging in talks to ease tensions. The skirmishes erupted in the Afghan border province of Nimroz Saturday, killing two Iranian security forces and a Taliban border guard,Read More...

Khalilzad Speaks for the Taliban

8am: The Doha peace agreement, which was the result of Zalmay Khalilzad’s efforts as the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, was signed between the United States and the Taliban. This agreement led to the withdrawal of U.S.
Afghan Online Press

Khalilzad Speaks for the Taliban

8am: The Doha peace agreement, which was the result of Zalmay Khalilzad’s efforts as the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, was signed between the United States and the Taliban. This agreement led to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the fall of the previous government, and the reinstatement of the Taliban. Recently,Read More...

Kabul Residents Say Armed Robberies Are Increasing

Tolo News: Some Kabul residents criticized the surge in armed robberies in parts of the capital by irresponsible armed individuals. They asked the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] to make an effort to ensure the security of the people. Click here to read more (exter
Afghan Online Press

Kabul Residents Say Armed Robberies Are Increasing

Tolo News: Some Kabul residents criticized the surge in armed robberies in parts of the capital by irresponsible armed individuals. They asked the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] to make an effort to ensure the security of the people. Click here to read more (external link).

Over 9,000 Afghans File Asylum Applications in the EU in a Month

Khaama: The European Census Bureau has said that asylum interests to the EU member states at the beginning of the current year has increased by 40 percent compared to last year. According to the European Census Bureau reports, more than 9,000 Afghan citizens
Afghan Online Press

Over 9,000 Afghans File Asylum Applications in the EU in a Month

Khaama: The European Census Bureau has said that asylum interests to the EU member states at the beginning of the current year has increased by 40 percent compared to last year. According to the European Census Bureau reports, more than 9,000 Afghan citizens have applied for asylum applications in the EU member state over theRead More...

Rights Groups Call for Probe of Taliban Restrictions on Women

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 26, 2023 A new legal assessment says the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan “amount to the crime against humanity of gender persecution” and should be investigated under international law, according t
Afghan Online Press

Rights Groups Call for Probe of Taliban Restrictions on Women

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 26, 2023 A new legal assessment says the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan “amount to the crime against humanity of gender persecution” and should be investigated under international law, according to two human rights groups. Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) released their jointRead More...

Isolated Taliban Find Active Diplomacy With China

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 25, 2023 WASHINGTON — Among a small number of ambassadors who remain in Kabul, Wang Yu, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, appears the busiest. This week, Wang met with three Taliban ministers, two of whom are particularly shunned b
Afghan Online Press

Isolated Taliban Find Active Diplomacy With China

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 25, 2023 WASHINGTON — Among a small number of ambassadors who remain in Kabul, Wang Yu, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, appears the busiest. This week, Wang met with three Taliban ministers, two of whom are particularly shunned by Western diplomats — Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister who has a $10 millionRead More...

Expectations of Pakistan from the Taliban

8am: Pakistan is renowned for its founding and backing of the Taliban, having more sway over the group than other countries in the region and the West. This influence is derived from the leverage Pakistan has in its relationship with the Taliban. Many of the
Afghan Online Press

Expectations of Pakistan from the Taliban

8am: Pakistan is renowned for its founding and backing of the Taliban, having more sway over the group than other countries in the region and the West. This influence is derived from the leverage Pakistan has in its relationship with the Taliban. Many of the Taliban’s leaders and officials who were trained in Pakistan haveRead More...

Taliban Effort To Resurrect Afghan Air Force Runs Into Turbulence

By Abubakar Siddique Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 25, 2023 Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers are keen on showcasing their government’s military prowess by frequently displaying repaired helicopters and planes from the country
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Effort To Resurrect Afghan Air Force Runs Into Turbulence

By Abubakar Siddique Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 25, 2023 Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers are keen on showcasing their government’s military prowess by frequently displaying repaired helicopters and planes from the country’s inventory of aging aircraft. But the once ragtag militant group that relied on small arms, rocket launchers, roadside bombs, and suicide bombers toRead More...

Afghanistan Restarts Direct Flights to China After 3 Years

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 24, 2023 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban have announced the resumption of direct flights between Afghanistan and China after a gap of three years, saying it would help boost bilateral economic and political relations. The first weekly passeng
Afghan Online Press

Afghanistan Restarts Direct Flights to China After 3 Years

Ayaz Gul VOA News May 24, 2023 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban have announced the resumption of direct flights between Afghanistan and China after a gap of three years, saying it would help boost bilateral economic and political relations. The first weekly passenger flight of the national flag carrier Ariana Afghan Airlines left Kabul on Wednesday forRead More...

Taliban Guidelines for Women’s Work ‘Nearly Complete’

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 24, 2023 WASHINGTON — Months after banning Afghan women from work for the United Nations and other aid agencies, Taliban authorities have told aid workers that new guidelines allowing women to return to humanitarian work are almost
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Guidelines for Women’s Work ‘Nearly Complete’

Akmal Dawi VOA News May 24, 2023 WASHINGTON — Months after banning Afghan women from work for the United Nations and other aid agencies, Taliban authorities have told aid workers that new guidelines allowing women to return to humanitarian work are almost complete. “Taliban leaders in Kandahar said ‘guidelines’ that will allow women back to workRead More...

Bodies Of Migrants Who Died In Bulgaria Returned To Afghanistan, Taliban Says

By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi May 24, 2024 Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Foreign Ministry says the bodies of 18 Afghan migrants who died of suffocation while attempting to cross into Bulgaria have been transferred to Kabul. The bodies were returned
Afghan Online Press

Bodies Of Migrants Who Died In Bulgaria Returned To Afghanistan, Taliban Says

By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi May 24, 2024 Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Foreign Ministry says the bodies of 18 Afghan migrants who died of suffocation while attempting to cross into Bulgaria have been transferred to Kabul. The bodies were returned on the morning of May 24, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for the ministry, said on Twitter. TheRead More...

Taliban Continue Their War on Education – School Is in for the Taliban’s New Model Army

FP: Extremist curriculum is teaching children how to hate, not how to think. School in Afghanistan is mostly Kalashnikovs, suicide bombings, and the Quran. That’s the Taliban recipe for education. While Afghanistan’s ban of women and girls from public lif
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Continue Their War on Education – School Is in for the Taliban’s New Model Army

FP: Extremist curriculum is teaching children how to hate, not how to think. School in Afghanistan is mostly Kalashnikovs, suicide bombings, and the Quran. That’s the Taliban recipe for education. While Afghanistan’s ban of women and girls from public life, and especially the classroom, is a big part of the Taliban’s evisceration of freedom sinceRead More...

Taliban Mulls Guidelines For Letting Female NGO Staff Resume Work

AP: Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said on May 23 that key Taliban officials told him in meetings that they are close to finalizing guidelines that will allow Afghan women to resume working for nongovernmental organizatio
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Mulls Guidelines For Letting Female NGO Staff Resume Work

AP: Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said on May 23 that key Taliban officials told him in meetings that they are close to finalizing guidelines that will allow Afghan women to resume working for nongovernmental organizations. But they were unable to give a timeline or details when pressed. The Taliban lastRead More...

India builds soft power in Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan

Nikkei Asia: The move not only reinforces India’s position as a key provider of essential aid to Afghanistan but also highlights New Delhi’s efforts to craft positive relations, even though it does not formally recognize the Taliban regime that se
Afghan Online Press

India builds soft power in Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan

Nikkei Asia: The move not only reinforces India’s position as a key provider of essential aid to Afghanistan but also highlights New Delhi’s efforts to craft positive relations, even though it does not formally recognize the Taliban regime that seized power in August 2021. India reestablished its diplomatic presence in mid-2022 by deploying a “technicalRead More...

Is Tension Growing Between the Taliban and Iran?

8am: Over the course of Ghani‘s six–year administration, tensions between Iran and Afghanistan were high, particularly concerning the Helmand River and Iran‘s water rights. Ghani used the water issue for propaganda purposes, publicly stating that Afghan
Afghan Online Press

Is Tension Growing Between the Taliban and Iran?

8am: Over the course of Ghani‘s six–year administration, tensions between Iran and Afghanistan were high, particularly concerning the Helmand River and Iran‘s water rights. Ghani used the water issue for propaganda purposes, publicly stating that Afghanistan would not give away its water for free and that it was a matter of honor. This tone wasRead More...

‘We Want Iranian Officials to Align Water Demands with Treaty’: Muttaqi

Tolo News: The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, referring to recent tensions over water between Kabul and Tehran, said that the recent droughts should not be ignored, and Kabul expects the Iranian officials to make their demands based o
Afghan Online Press

‘We Want Iranian Officials to Align Water Demands with Treaty’: Muttaqi

Tolo News: The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, referring to recent tensions over water between Kabul and Tehran, said that the recent droughts should not be ignored, and Kabul expects the Iranian officials to make their demands based on the treaty. Addressing a ceremony on the 7th anniversary of the death ofRead More...

Health ministry reports 12,000 deaths a year in Afghanistan from TB

Ariana: Marking World Tuberculosis Day on Monday in Kabul, the Ministry of Public Health said that up to 12,000 people die from the disease in the country every year. Mohammad Hassan Ghiasi, the deputy minister, said last year, 76,000 cases of tuberculosis we
Afghan Online Press

Health ministry reports 12,000 deaths a year in Afghanistan from TB

Ariana: Marking World Tuberculosis Day on Monday in Kabul, the Ministry of Public Health said that up to 12,000 people die from the disease in the country every year. Mohammad Hassan Ghiasi, the deputy minister, said last year, 76,000 cases of tuberculosis were registered in the country, out of which 52,000 people recovered. According toRead More...

Taliban Imposes Controversial Ban on Machinery for Wheat Harvest in Khost Province, Affecting Farmers’ Productivity

8am: Several farmers in Khost reported on Sunday, May 21, that the Taliban has informed them in the province’s center and districts that they are not allowed to use machinery for wheat harvesting. According to the farmers, this action by the Taliban has res
Afghan Online Press

Taliban Imposes Controversial Ban on Machinery for Wheat Harvest in Khost Province, Affecting Farmers’ Productivity

8am: Several farmers in Khost reported on Sunday, May 21, that the Taliban has informed them in the province’s center and districts that they are not allowed to use machinery for wheat harvesting. According to the farmers, this action by the Taliban has resulted in a prolonged process of wheat collection from the fields. ClickRead More...

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