LAST 24 HOURS
THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) REOPENS IN KABUL – The organization has moved into new offices at the Kabul airport after its old offices were destroyed in the wake of the Taliban takeover in 2021. IOM appears to have the support of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, who said the chief role it would play involved the repatriation of Afghans to the IEA. The reopening is seen as a positive step for those interested in immigrating abroad but it is too early to tell how much latitude IOM will be granted to carry out its traditional functions. There are also concerns that the Taliban’s Ministry of the Interior has either direct or indirect access to the office and may be monitoring screening operations.
US POLITICAL CIRCUS DRAGS ON OVER AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL – Both major political parties in the US are engaged in a ‘thrust and parry’ over the Afghanistan situation. Clearly, Republican leaders feel they will gain an advantage in upcoming elections by keeping the issue on voter’s plates while Democrats are eager to ‘put the issue behind them’. The latest salvo launched by the Republican House Foreign Affairs Chairman, Representative Michael McCaul sent a strongly worded note to the Department of State which basically accused the Department of obstructing oversight efforts. Many US political analysts have opined that the Afghanistan issue will play a central role in Republican efforts to oust President Biden. The politicization of the Afghanistan withdrawal is not unique to American politics. It is being used as a political football in other countries around the world as well. The American circus is just the loudest.
TALIBAN CENSORS ACTIVE ON TWITTER – The Zan Times has conducted an impressive investigation into how the Taliban are attempting to silence critics on Twitter. They zeroed in on an anonymous Twitter account (Fake News @Newsf2197Fake) and went back through hundreds of tweets to figure out how the account was being used to cast doubt on legitimate news reports that were critical of the regime. The account often uses a large red X to highlight those stories that are detrimental to the Taliban’s political messaging. Several of the senior Taliban leaders were discovered to have retweeted/amplified @Newsf2197Fake’s tweets. Zan Times went back to check the validity of some of the articles that had received the red X treatment and found them to be factual.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NEW PROPOSED IRANIAN HIJAB LAW BEING TESTED IN SELECT AREAS – The Iranian regime has been scrambling to enforce the newest Hijab laws that levy significantly heavier fines and could result in bans on attending universities or applying for work. The program has been half-heartedly enforced since the news laws were passed. Now, the regime may make it compulsory for businesses to enforce the code by passing a new law that would extend the fines to the businesses that women frequent. Sources in Tehran said that pilot programs are being tested in two unidentified neighborhoods in Tehran as well as two other cities. It was not clear if the trial program would involve fines or, is simply being tested for its functionality. At-risk Afghans residing in Iran should be aware these tests are being carried out. The source said the new law would likely take effect prior to the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death (16 September). The source said that few in the regime believed it would have much of an effect on Iranian women who have chosen to ignore the law.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iranian authorities moved 5 US citizens who were being held in Evin Prison to house arrest as a precursor to a prisoner exchange deal that would give Tehran access to frozen funds and a return of Iranians behind held in the US.
3 Israeli citizens accused of spying for Iran were declared ‘not guilty’ yesterday in Jerusalem. However, the presiding judge found that 1 of the accused was guilty of maintaining contact with a foreign operative.
Even while Iran and the US negotiate a controversial prisoner exchange, a pro-government news outlet claims a dual Iranian/US citizen was arrested on espionage charges on Monday.
PAKISTAN
Karachi police are investigating the torture-murder of a 22-year-old who was set upon by employees of a car rental agency in Nagan Chowrangi. A violent video of the incident had been shared o social media.
Former Prime Minister Khan was allowed to visit with his wife in Attock Prison. It is the first visit he has had by a family member since his conviction.
Leaders of the PTI party have demanded that the former Prime Minister be moved from Attock Prison to the jail in Adiala over concerns for his health.
SPOTLIGHT REFUGEES
Two years on, what has happened to Afghan evacuees?
By The New Humanitarian
Two years after the Taliban’s return to power, hundreds of thousands of Afghans promised resettlement are either struggling in legal limbo in new host countries or trapped abroad awaiting processing by Western nations that vowed to rescue their Afghan allies.
AFGHAN NEWS
IOM Resumes Operation at Kabul Airport
By TOLO News
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) said the resumption of the organization's operations in the nation is…
Amid Taliban Repression, Afghan Media Are a Beacon of Hope
By Barry Salaam - United States Institute of Peace
Since regaining power two years ago, the Taliban have largely discarded Afghanistan’s democratic institutions but have taken a somewhat accommodating, albeit contradictory, approach…
Kabul: Students turn to tailoring amid extended school, universities closures
By AMU TV
In a scenario mirrored across various provinces, a collective of former university students has embarked on a collaborative venture, inaugurating a center specializing in the design and creation of…
REGIONAL NEWS
Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan bolsters TTP: Zardari
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Zardari discussed what he characterized as a need for more progress on the…
Taliban say Pakistani nationals involved in Daesh attacks in Afghanistan
By Yeni Safak
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Kabul-based interim administration, said on Wednesday: "18 Pakistani members of Daesh, who were carrying out explosions and…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Iranian diplomat accuses US of continuously fomenting instability in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
A senior Iranian diplomat has accused the United States is deliberately fostering instability in Afghanistan to create crises for…
Afghanistan migrant jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of murder
By AMU TV
A migrant from Afghanistan has been sentenced to 24 years in prison in the UK after being found guilty of stabbing a fellow Afghanistan asylum seeker…
THE DAILY WTF
Ex-UK PM says Taliban’s treatment of women ‘crime against humanity’
By Al Arabiya
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown on Thursday called for the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan to be declared a…
“Spot on” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 83.97 AFN (as of 11 AUG 2023)