Country
Afghanistan
A Year on, Billions in Afghan Assets Linger in Switzerland
By Catherine Cartier
More than a year after the Afghan Fund was created to disburse $3.5 billion in frozen assets for the benefit of the Afghan people, no disbursements have been made. Why?
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Taliban’s Economic Dreams
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
The specter of insecurity in Afghanistan has been replaced by a lack of governance and widespread incompetence. Investors from China or any other country can be expected to be deeply wary.
This Week in Asia: October 13, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
South Asian Countries Are Divided on Hamas Attacks
By Santosh Sharma Poudel
However, all of them expressed support for a two-state solution.
6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Western Afghanistan, Where Earlier Quake Killed Over 2,000
By Ebrahim Noroozi and Rahmin Faiez
Villagers are distraught over the loss of their homes and livestock, often their only possessions, and worry about the coming harsh winter months.
Afghanistan’s Herat Hit by Deadliest Earthquake in Two Decades
By Riazat Butt
Focused on Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians and wary of dealing with the Taliban regime, only a handful of countries have offered support.
Is India Preparing to Allow the Taliban Regime Diplomatic Representation in New Delhi?
By Sudha Ramachandran
Last week, Afghan diplomats aligned with the Ashraf Ghani government announced the ceasing of operations in the Afghan embassy in the Indian capital.
This Week in Asia: October 6, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
Pakistan Runs Out of Patience With Afghan Taliban
By Umair Jamal
It has introduced new measures to punish the Kabul regime for its continued sheltering of the TTP – including moving to repatriate Afghan refugees.
Russia Hosts Taliban for Talks on Regional Threats and Says It Will Keep Funding Afghanistan
By Associated Press
The talks in the Russian city of Kazan came as Moscow is trying to maintain its influence in Central Asia even as it wages war on Ukraine.
Myths and Realities of ‘Gender Apartheid’ in Afghanistan Under the Taliban
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Can U.N. efforts ever work to reverse the policies of the Taliban?
Taliban Send All-Male Team to Asian Games But Afghan Women Come From Outside
By David Rising
Two different teams are representing Afghanistan: the Taliban-approved team, and a team of diaspora athletes – including women – competing under the old flag.