Latest Updates

KABUL – International airlines are increasingly diverting flights through Afghan airspace, now seen as one of the safest routes in the region following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel. This shift has caused a surge in flights passing over Afghanistan, benefiting the Taliban-controlled government financially. A record 191 flights crossed Afghan …

KABUL – In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has determined that Afghan women are a persecuted group under the Taliban regime, paving the way for enhanced asylum protections. This decision comes in the wake of Austria’s rejection of refugee status for two Afghan women, who sought …

KABUL – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government, in Moscow on Friday. The discussions, held ahead of the sixth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, addressed key issues of bilateral cooperation, with a strong focus on regional stability …

KABUL – Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, reaffirmed that Afghanistan continues to be a central focus of U.S. foreign policy. Speaking at a press conference, Miller stressed that despite the complexities of recent years, the U.S. remains actively engaged with Afghanistan. “Afghanistan remains an enduring priority,” Miller …

KABUL – The U.S. has reassigned its special representative for Afghanistan, leaving a critical diplomatic post vacant amid ongoing efforts to engage with the Taliban-ruled country. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday that Tom West, the envoy since 2021, will assume a new role as the acting head …

KABUL – Afghan journalists have reported a surge in abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and increasing censorship, since the Taliban’s return to power. Journalists covering attacks by militant groups or issues related to women’s rights are often detained, with some reporting being held in the same cells as Islamic State …

KABUL – The Taliban’s oppressive governance in Afghanistan has placed its unrecognized regime on the global stage as a pariah due to widespread human rights abuses. Despite this, the militant group has been pushing to promote foreign tourism in an effort to reshape its international image, attracting visitors to Afghanistan’s …

KABUL – Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan through the Torkham border has gradually resumed over recent days, with truck drivers navigating the challenging Shalman-Malagori route to transport goods to Peshawar or cross into Afghanistan. Bilateral trade was abruptly halted on August 21 when hundreds of Kukikhel tribesmen blocked the main …

New York – In a pivotal address at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, emphasized the urgent need for the international community to support Afghanistan, underscoring the escalating threat of terrorism. Prince Faisal stated that Afghanistan “cannot be left …

KABUL – A stark report released by the World Food Programme (WFP) reveals that one in three Afghan girls are unable to complete their primary education, primarily due to widespread poverty. The findings underscore the devastating impact of economic hardship on education in Afghanistan, particularly for young girls. The WFP …