Tag
Afghanistan

Al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan: Information Blackhole and Strategic (Mis)communication
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
U.S. and U.N. estimates about al-Qaida’s strength and position in Afghanistan differ. Sorting out the reality will require concrete efforts to end the information vacuum.

The Taliban’s New Canal Threatens Water Security in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
By Niginakhon Saida
As the Taliban rush to complete the Qosh Tepa canal, Central Asia’s water security is at risk.

The Taliban’s Unsustainable War on Drugs
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Afghanistan's opiate economy is unlikely to be disrupted by a one-off campaign of crop destruction in a handful of provinces.

Russian Roulette in Taliban-Held Afghanistan
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Frequent vacillations from hope to pessimism continue to characterize Russian policy toward Afghanistan.

Afghanistan-Iran Complete First Trial Run of Khaf-Herat Railway
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
The two countries, faced with sanctions and political isolation, are not completely isolated from global networks.

Australian General Says US Warned War Crime Allegations Could Prevent Work With Australia’s SAS
By Rod McGuirk
The warning came in the form of a letter from a defense attache “indicating that the release of the Brereton report and its findings may initiate Leahy Law considerations.”

Afghan Opposition Struggles Against Taliban Rule
By Ali Ahmad Safi
A more inclusive opposition front would reflect the aspirations and values of the Afghan people.

How Afghan Girls Are Overcoming Barriers Through Online Learning
By Laiq Zirack
Deprived of education for more than 600 days, Afghan girls seek refuge in online education even though access is scarce and difficult.

An Interview with Radio Azadi’s Qadir Habib and Malali Bashir
By Catherine Putz
In the wake of the Taliban takeover in 2021, RFE/RL’s Afghan Service faced considerable challenges. But they have risen above them to continue providing information to Afghans young and old.

The Prospect of US-Taliban Counterterrorism Cooperation: Is the Embrace Worth It?
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Suggested convergence on counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and the Taliban may be a double-edged sword.

Reluctant Critic China Urges Afghan Taliban to Change Stance on Women’s Roles
By Associated Press
Wang said China hopes the Taliban-appointed Afghan interim government will "take solid steps in the right direction.”

UN Summit in Qatar on Afghanistan Ends, Another Planned
By Lujain Jo
Absent from the meeting were the Taliban themselves, who took over Afghanistan in August 2021.