LAST 24 HOURS
QUESTIONS RAISED OVER HALTED US EVACUATION FLIGHTS – A recent article in the Voice of America cites anonymous sources within the Department of State who provided several explanations for the stoppage of evacuation flights since mid-June. Many Afghans who have approved SIV cases expressed concerns over the pause and have been left in limbo as to when flights will resume. No official reason was given for the action and officials failed to provide any indication of if/when flights would resume.
MUHARRAM CEREMONIES INVITE TALIBAN CRACKDOWN – Shiite Muslims who chose to take part in religious observances for Muharram were filmed being dispersed violently by Taliban security personnel. The Afghan Shiite Ulema Council and many prominent Shiite leaders have called on the Taliban to allow the mourning period to continue. The Taliban continue to maintain they have imposed restrictions over security concerns. Some senior religious leaders in the Shiite community have called on followers to defy the Taliban.
TALIBAN PRESS REGISTRATION PROGRAM VIEWED WITH SUSPICION – A program to register all journalists in Afghanistan commenced yesterday in Kabul. However, journalists say they do not trust the program and the virtual lack of credibility on the part of the Taliban have many international journalism organizations warning their Afghan colleagues not to participate. The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture says the program is meant to support journalists and continues to claim it was a program that began under the former regime. To obtain a Press Identity card, one must provide photos, names, affiliations, and contact information to the Taliban. Obviously, the rather harsh treatment many members of the Afghan press have dealt with over the past two years has caused many to question the true motivations behind the program.
US/TALIBAN MEETINGS SCHEDULED IN QATAR – US envoys will meet with the Taliban in Doha to discuss several topics of interest. The US team will then travel to Kazakhstan for meetings with the Central Asian States on Afghanistan. The majority of the meeting is expected to focus on human rights but will also include discussions about trade, security, and economic stabilization. The meeting in Kazakhstan will involve the C5+1 group of nations that was formed with President Obama at the UN in 2015. The members include Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
ISIS-K ISSUES THREAT TO TALIBAN – ISIS-K released a message on several of its many social media platforms that scoffed at claims the terrorist group had been neutralized in Afghanistan and warned of impending attacks. Historically, ISIS-K launches an operation within 2-5 days of posting such messages. There has been no information received about any specific targets or dates for any potential attack. However, with the ongoing Muharram observance taking place, ISIS-K could well target Shiite Mosques or neighborhoods. Alternatively, they may attempt to strike at senior Taliban leadership owing to the many insults the Taliban have thrown at them over the past two months.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The young Iranian woman who famously removed her hijab for a chess match has accepted citizenship in Spain.
While the Iranian regime has been busy touting new trade deals, it has quietly been borrowing about $12 billion over the last three months to keep paying the bills. An investigation by Aftab News uncovered four ‘banks’ that appear to be providing the funds.
The US House of Representatives approves a bill that permanently sanctions Iran’s missile and drone programs.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s resolution concerning Islamaphobic hate speech was adopted by the United Nations.
The government condemned recent remarks made by an Indian Army General who threatened to cross the LoC in Kashmir.
The fight over who will act as the caretaker Prime Minister has heated up recently with many of the parties weighing in on who should make the list for consideration. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Interior announced the Assembly would be dissolved on the night of 9 August.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER/EDUCATION
Why the Taliban can’t ignore girls’ education in the Muslim world
By The Christian Science Monitor
With little fanfare, a Taliban delegation from Afghanistan quietly visited the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, in July. The trip was yet another attempt by the rulers in Kabul to gain any sort of foreign recognition of their harsh regime nearly two years after taking power. One place the Afghan delegation certainly did not visit was the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre outside the capital, Jakarta.
AFGHAN NEWS
Nine killed, seven injured due to flash floods in Parwan province
By ANI
At least nine people were killed, and seven others were left injured because of flash floods in Parwan province of Afghanistan…
Islamic Emirate Says It Does Not Interfere With Aid Operations
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The deputy minister of economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, said that the ministry keeps an eye on how foreign aid is distributed to ensure transparency…
Muharram mourners continue to face restrictions in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
Video tapes circulating on social networks depict the Taliban using force to prevent religious ceremonies of Muharram mourners, further highlighting…
REGIONAL NEWS
Why are tensions rising between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
By Amir Latif Arain - Anadolu Agency
A fresh spate of brazen attacks on Pakistani security forces, which Islamabad blames on groups operating out of Afghanistan, has stoked renewed tensions…
US Special Envoys For Afghanistan to Visit Regional Countries
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
“While in Astana, they will meet with colleagues from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for a C5+1 Special…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan women's team in exile wants FIFA recognition
By Joey Lynch - ESPN
Khalida Popal and a handful of members of the Afghanistan Women's Team (AWT) she helped found 16 years ago arrived at Federation Square just in time to watch the…
If Seeking Recognition Abroad, Kabul Must Take Action in Afghanistan: Patel
By Fatima Adib - TOLO News
“As it relates to the United States and Taliban, we have been incredibly clear, quite regularly condemning the clear backsliding that we are seeing in…
THE DAILY WTF
Modern Education is Not Obligatory: Shaheed Wror
By TOLO News
“The education that we say is obligatory at every stage for both men and women is religious education, not other education,”
“There are no words.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.63 AFN (as of 27 JUL 2023)