LAST 24 HOURS
FORMER SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AND SON SANCTIONED BY US – Mir Rahman Rahmani and his son, Ajmal Rahmani both members of the parliament under the previous regime were sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury over charges of corrupt dealings. The two were said to have profited from the misappropriation of millions of dollars in contracts funded by the US government. In addition, the US State Department has blocked both men and their immediate families from entry into the US.
US BEGINS SENDING AFGHAN EVACUEES TO GERMANY AGAIN – Afghans who are hoping to resettle in the US are once again being routed through Germany where they will undergo the necessary screening and processing procedures. The US used its bases in Germany in late 2021 to house Afghans who had been airlifted out of the country. US officials said they hoped to be able to process families in 30 days or less using the facilities.
UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR AFGHANISTAN SAYS TALIBAN DEALING WITH A DIVIDE – Richard Bennett, the UN’s man on point for human rights in Afghanistan told listeners at the Doha Forum that the Taliban agree on many things but the case of women’s education has caused an internal split. He pointed to the dismissal of Abdul Baqi Haqqani, the former Minister of Higher Education as proof positive of the rift. The former Minister appeared to publicly favor allowing women and girls to attain their educational goals but this was apparently in conflict with the Deobandist principles of those in Kandahar.
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF HASNA SADAT – A document purported to have been sent by the chief investigator in the death of the former journalist, Hasna Sadat, is circulating on social media. In the document, the Commander of the 10th Police District, Mawlawi Abdul Rahim calls into question the 2 Taliban officials who visited Sadat’s apartment. He expresses concern that the visit took place at night and that there appeared to be no legal writ or warrant for them to search Sadat’s home. Ultimately, he considered the death to be ‘completely suspicious’ and that there may have been a motive involved. He also suggests that the incident has raised doubts in the community about the regime. He ends the document with a request for instructions on how to proceed. This document has yet to be verified but echoes similar views held by sources in Kabul familiar with the case.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Tehran says it has shelved nuclear talks and does not see a need to continue the process. The Foreign Ministry says other parties have not met their obligations to the plan of action and this has freed Iran from its obligations.
Switzerland has received a complaint that charges the Iranian President with crimes against humanity. The complaint was filed by three alleged victims of the regime and the timing may preclude President Raisi’s attendance at a summit in Geneva on Wednesday.
The regime in Tehran says it has uncovered a $3.5 billion embezzlement scheme that has implicated several high-level officials in the regime.
PAKISTAN
The Asian Development Bank announced a $155.5 million dollar finance package for enhancing women’s access to business loans.
The Indian Supreme Court ruled in support of a 2019 executive decision by the Prime Minister to strip Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status. The move effectively places Indian-administered Kashmir under direct rule. A strong response from Pakistan is expected.
Acting PM Kakar urged terrorists operating in Pakistan to ‘surrender unconditionally’ in order to receive mercy from the State.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Tajikistan and the Taliban: A Lone Voice in Central Asia
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza - The Diplomat
On September 2, 2023, on the orders of President Emomali Rahmon, border markets in Khorog, Darvaz, Vanj, and Ishkashim districts of Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region opened for business with Afghanistan. Movement across the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border had been officially suspended since August 2021 and the markets were closed. The sudden decision to re-open them has been seen as a sign of a potential normalization of relations between the two countries. However, more than three months since, little seems to have actually changed and bilateral ties continue to remain frosty.
AFGHAN NEWS
Sanctions on Officials 'Unjust': Deputy Minister
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue (MoVV) condemned the imposing of sanctions on officials of the Islamic Emirate, calling them…
Work on Sheberghan-Mazar-e-Sharif pipeline underway
By Ariana News
Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, the head of Afghan Gas Company in Jawzjan, said that the construction of this pipeline will cost more than…
Commerce Minister Warns Against Low-Quality Goods and Price Manipulation
By Bakhtar News Agency
The Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, met with major suppliers of raw materials and other stakeholders today to discuss the market situation and the…
WHO reports 2,513 acute respiratory deaths in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The World Health Organization, a leading global health authority, recently released a concerning report about the state of respiratory health in…
REGIONAL NEWS
By CSTO
On 7 December 2023, the 38th meeting of the Working Group on Afghanistan under the CSTO Ministerial Council was held with the participation of the CSTO Deputy…
IEA’s refugees minister meets Turkish Chargé d’Affaires, discusses migrants problems
By Ariana News
At the meeting Khalilur Rahman Haqqani said that a joint committee should be established to deal with the situation of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US provides $77 million aid to support Afghan refugees in Pakistan
By Ariana News
The Special Representative of the United States for Afghanistan Thomas West has announced a $77 million contribution to the…
Granting education to women not the only critirea to secure Taliban recognition: US special envoy
By ANI
The US representative for women and human rights in Afghanistan, Rina Amiri underscored that granting education to women and girls in Afghanistan should not be considered…
THE DAILY WTF
While Ukrainians Welcomed, Poland's Afghans Say They Face Hardship And Exclusion
By Neil Bowdler - RFE
As many as 1,500 Afghans were airlifted to Poland after the Taliban retook Kabul in August 2021, and many say they face…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.22 AFN (as of 12 DEC 2023)