LAST 24 HOURS
JAPAN DISCUSSES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN – Japan’s Ambassador, Takashi Okada, signaled that his country was in talks with many in the international community to take the lead on the economic development front with the de facto regime in Kabul. It is not clear which states may sign onto any compact Japan proposes but the international community seems to prefer using models that put a nation-state on point for specific areas of concern when dealing with the Taliban.
WINTER PREPARATIONS – As the days grow colder, most humanitarian-focused agencies have been putting the finishing touches on their plans to keep people alive over the coming winter. The Taliban announced that their plans to provide support for citizens are complete but few believe they have prepared much of anything and will instead rely on habitual international responding agencies to provide support across the country. A source in the Ministry of Transportation says the Taliban has only established limited stockpiles in Kabul and Kandahar while other Provinces have been left to fend for themselves.
LIMITED TALIBAN SECURITY OPERATIONS MOUNTED IN TAKHAR AND PARTS OF PANJSHIR – Presumably, in response to a successful Resistance attack in the Province that killed several Taliban fighters and wounded many more, Taliban patrols have been doubled in certain areas and local eyewitnesses report that additional vehicles and personnel have been seen at many of the checkpoints in the towns and cities. Helicopters were filmed to be operating in Panjshir for a short amount of time but the poor visibility soon saw them return to their bases. It is not clear who the Taliban are hunting but it seems to involve several hundred fighters across the two Provinces.
MINISTRY OF REFUGEES SENDS ENVOY TO IRAN – In response to a large volume of complaints, the Taliban has dispatched the Deputy Ministery for Refugees and Repatriation to Iran yesterday. His mission will be to speak with Afghan refugees in Iran about their experiences and then liaise with his Iranian counterparts about the reportedly poor conditions for Afghans sheltering there.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HEAVY RAIN/SNOW IN FORECAST – Western Afghanistan will see a storm system move into the region that is expected to drop up to 8 centimeters of rain and significant snowfall at higher elevations. Flood warnings have been issued and travel in these Provinces is discouraged.
CENTRAL BANK AUCTION – DAB intends to auction $14 million dollars tomorrow to stabilize the national currency.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran’s currency hit a historic low yesterday and continues the downward trajectory of the past 15 months. Yesterday the Rial closed at 370,000 to $1.00.
The regime summoned German and British envoys to appear before the Foreign Minister to receive complaints by the regime about supposed support for the protests rocking the country. Both envoys have been summoned multiple times over the past few months.
PAKISTAN
Some defections have been reported among the rank and file in Imran Khan’s political party. Apparently, many are unsatisfied with his leadership and prefer to see a new leader take the helm. A noted analyst assesses the defections may grow over time but will not be able to force a change of leadership.
Some believe that if the assemblies are dissolved, an invitation to Nawaz Sharif, a former Prime Minster may be issued.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
World Continues to Fail Afghanistan as Another Freezing Winter Sets in
By Rajeev Agarwal - The Diplomat
Afghanistan has been in the news for all the wrong reasons ever since the Taliban overran Kabul on August 15, 2021. The Taliban formed a government that still remains unrecognized by the international community. Attacks continue on people, schools, and establishments unabated and there seems to be no immediate hope for peace and progress.
AFGHAN NEWS
Female Journalists in Farah Ask to Resume Their Work
By TOLO News
In a gathering in the province of Farah, female journalists asked Islamic Emirate officials to let them resume their…
4.2 million children out of school in Afghanistan: UNICEF
By Ariana News
“In Afghanistan in 2022, UNICEF reached 300,000 children, 55% of whom were girls, through our community based education classes,” UNICEF…
UNAMA: De Facto Leaders Have 'Immense Responsibility' to 'Every' Afghan
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
Roza Otunbayeva, the UN's special representative for Afghanistan, on Human Rights Day urged the Islamic Emirate to stop restricting Afghans' basic rights, especially…
REGIONAL NEWS
Four Dai'sh terrorists killed in operation near Afghan border
By The Express Tribune
Four wanted terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces near…
India willing to engage with Taliban to tackle humanitarian crisis: Ex-Afghan Intelligence Chief
By ANI
India is willing to engage with the Taliban, unlike other countries, to restore normalcy and to tackle the humanitarian…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UNSC Approves Exempting Humanitarian Aid From all UN Sanctions
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
“Momentous news: UNSC adopts a resolution exempting all our humanitarian work across all its sanctions regimes,” said Jan Egeland, the…
A Full-Fledged War is a Real Possibility, NATO Says
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
“It was important to avoid a conflict that involves more countries in Europe and becomes a full-fledged war in Europe,” Stoltenberg…
THE DAILY WTF
Related Aid Bodies Made All Necessary Preparation Ahead of Winter: Mujahid
By Bakhtar News Agency
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says that all agencies of the country has already made necessary preparations to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.43 AFN (as of 11 DEC 2022)