NOTE: The Afghan Digest is changing hands on 21 January 2024. A search was initiated several months ago to find a suitable partner to assume the responsibilities associated with publishing the Afghan Digest. We are happy to report that such a group was found. We are confident the new team will elevate the offerings in the Digest and make it indispensable for those organizations and institutions who rely on it for additional analysis and open-source intelligence. However, the new publishers will need to adjust the frequency of publication as they take over the responsibilities of continuing this work. We ask our readers to remain patient and continue to read the Digest as this adjustment period takes place. It has been a difficult two years for those of us who founded and published the Afghan Digest. The undertaking was much greater than any of us anticipated. However, we are proud of our work and the dedication it took to launch a crisis-communications publication that focused on one of the darkest periods in contemporary history. From all of us at the Afghan Digest, thank you!
JMH
LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN SUPREME LEADER ISSUES VOICE RECORDING, BANS PUBLIC CRITICISM OF DECREES – Hibatullah Akhundzada released an audio message banning criticism of Taliban decrees and stressed unity for the regime. Akhundzada specifically forbade any objections to the Emirate and warned people (and leaders) against publicly discussing any disagreements with policy objectives. He criticized democracy and said that Western support for a democratic system in Afghanistan conflicted with Sharia law.
RUSSIA OPEN TO FURTHER INTERACTION WITH RESISTANCE – The Russian Foreign Minister made several remarks on Thursday that were indicative of continuing consultations with members of the National Resistance Front. Minister Lavrov said that the Resistance’s existence in the North is a reality and that bridges should be built with them. He then reiterated Russia’s stance that an inclusive government must be formed in the country.
THE PASSPORT SITUATION CONTINUES TO FESTER – The Taliban do not appear to be enjoying the scrutiny it is receiving from the much-ballyhooed reopening of its passport offices. The long lines and violence were embarrassing but recent accusations of blatant corruption and even alleged deaths of people who reportedly perished in the cold weather while waiting for a chance to get an interview are spreading across the internet. Video emerged in the past twenty-four hours of Passport Directorate officials throwing out applications from the Kabul office and women digging through the paperwork to find their documents. Additional rumors have claimed that the Taliban have beaten some of the applicants.
TALIBAN’S MESSAGE ON TTP REPORTEDLY FALLS FLAT IN ISLAMABAD – Early reports coming out of the Red Zone in Islamabad say that the Taliban’s Supreme Leader’s reassurances regarding the TTP have done little to assuage security concerns. Sources told several journalists that Islamabad has all but given up on Kabul’s ‘empty promises’ to promote peace.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The UK arrested and convicted an Iranian national accused of laundering over 1 million pounds for human trafficking networks.
Microsoft’s ‘threat intelligence’ team said it had identified hackers sponsored by Iran who masqueraded as journalists to target Israel/Hamas War Experts. The hackers attempted to deliver ‘spy-ware’ that has been previously used by Iran to grant access to personal/organizational computers.
The Greek owners of an oil tanker recently seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman confirmed that a Greek national who was serving aboard the vessel has been released. The other crew members (18 Filipinos) are thought to remain in Iranian custody.
PAKISTAN
Several hopefuls in the upcoming elections chimed in on the recent strikes in Iran. All of the front runners voiced support for the actions taken against Iran and most agreed the strikes were proportional and legal.
The PTI party announced it was shuffling some of its candidates for the upcoming elections as it revised its list of candidates for the third time.
Pakistan’s State Bank announced that it currently holds a little over $8 billion in its foreign exchange reserve account. Adding commercial bank foreign exchange reserves to the sum, Pakistan currently holds approximately $13 billion.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Only China Can Stop a War Between Iran and Pakistan
By Syed Fazl-E-Haider - The Daily Beast
Thursday’s retaliatory airstrike launched by Pakistan against Iran, which sparks fears of a broader conflict, almost certainly could not have happened without the consent of China. And only China can effectively defuse tensions between the two neighboring states.
AFGHAN NEWS
Herat Officials Call US Media Report on Sale of Girls 'Baseless'
By TOLO News
Before this, the Washington Post reported that almost 120 Afghan girls aged 6 to 10 had been sold into marriage and…
Four killed in Volleyball game clash in Eastern Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Officials in Afghanistan’s Laghman Province, under Taliban administration, have reported that four people were killed during a dispute between…
Passport Delays Plague Kabul Residents
By Nawid Samadi - TOLO News
They said that the distribution of passports based on in-person applications is challenging for the public but is easier for those who…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran-Pakistan Conflict Raises Alarm in Region
By Zabihullah Sarir - TOLO News
Pakistan used killer drones and rockets to strike separatist Baloch militants inside Iran on Thursday, Pakistani authorities said, two days after Tehran said it had…
Calls Mount From Businesspeople to Open Torkham Crossing
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
ACCI said that with the closure of the Torkham crossing for commercial vehicles, a loss of $100,000 dollars has been sustained by…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US State Department criticizes IEA over treatment of women
By Ariana News
State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller, said on Wednesday: “We’ve seen them take a number of really deplorable actions when it…
'Very very happy': Saskatoon welcomes flight carrying 314 Afghan nationals
By Hayatullah Amanat - CTV News
“Today, 314 Afghan nationals arrived in Saskatoon on a charter flight from…
THE DAILY WTF
Women’s Rights fully secured in Afghanistan: Taliban leader
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
In an audio recording attributed to the leader of the Taliban, which was released on Wednesday, January 17, during a religious scholars’ meeting in…
“Easily a top 5 candidate for the Historical Idiot Award.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 72.98 AFN (as of 19 JAN 2024)