LAST 24 HOURS
MORE AID WORKERS REPORTEDLY ARRESTED – Several aid agencies have reported that some of their personnel have been arrested by the Taliban in the past three weeks. Most are thought to be Afghan nationals employed by international aid agencies but some may be foreign nationals who had deployed to the country to assist in aid efforts. At this point, it is not clear how many are being held but sources in Kabul say that negotiations between the Taliban and leaders of some of the aid agencies have been ongoing for at least a week. Perhaps lending credence to the report, the Taliban’s chief spokesman told TOLO News reporters yesterday that international aid workers are subject to local laws and would be arrested for violating the laws of the country.
RECENT ARREST OF PROMINENT WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST IGNITES ANOTHER FIRESTORM – The Taliban continue to outrage venerable international institutions and the recent arrest of Parisa Azada on 14 November has garnered additional condemnation. The internationally known women’s rights activist was picked up by GDI agents in the Dasht-e-Barchi district and failed to provide information regarding the charges she faced. Family and friends say they have not had contact with Azada and her whereabouts are currently unknown. Her arrest was one of many that have occurred over the past sixty days. Amnesty International and other international organizations used the opportunity provided by Azada’s detainment to call on the Taliban to halt the continued pattern of arbitrary arrests of human rights activists and members of civil society. Amnesty also called for the establishment of an international accountability system that could be used to track issues of human rights abuses and hold those responsible accountable for such actions.
IRAN DEPORTATIONS RIVAL PAKISTAN NUMBERS – While Pakistan has taken most of the international ire over the recent spate of deportations of Afghan refugees, Iran has quietly proceeded with their own ‘stealth’ deportation program. According to the Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency, Iran has deported nearly half a million Afghans in 2023 alone. Sources at border crossing points with Iran say that deportations have doubled over the past two months and at-risk Afghans in Iran have cited numerous arrests and an uptick in the instances of police stopping and questioning Afghans who are sheltering in various cities across the country. Turkey has also announced it would begin accelerating its deportation program and uses an agreement with Iran to expel Afghans without legal documentation back to Afghanistan. It is not clear how many of those deported from Iran may have been transferred from Turkey.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran’s primary stock exchange lost nearly 10,000 points on Saturday as the economic realities of the country’s situation begin to undercut the regime’s propaganda.
The ‘morality police’ have begun making good on promises to punish businesses that fail to enforce the hijab laws. Reporting from mainly urban areas suggests that restaurants/cafes and bookstores have been closed for these supposed violations.
The regime sent a letter to travel agencies in Iran, warning them to not offer tours and trips that feature popular concerts by foreign-based Iranian musical acts. The letter states that failure to comply would trigger a review of the company’s business license.
PAKISTAN
The IMF has revised the projected loan needs for Pakistan and dropped the total amount to $25 billion. The new total represents a decrease of $3.4 billion. Pakistan’s economic forecast numbers were discarded and an annual growth projection of 2% was put in place.
A new report that alleges Pakistan has supplied 155mm artillery shells to Israel is stirring up debate and conspiracy theories. The report cites a recent British Air Force plane visit as evidence for the claim. Many doubt the report’s authenticity.
The former Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif was cleared along with others of involvement in a corrupt housing scheme by a Lahore court.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Islamism at 50 in Politics, Power and War
By Robin Wright & Garrett Nada - The Wilson Center
After a half century, Islamism has become the single most disruptive force—both politically and militarily—in the Middle East. It evolved from cells of political activists in the 1970s into mass movements and, for the first time, as a governing force in the late 20th century. Both Sunni and Shiites turned to their faith amid the failure of monarchies and autocracies to deliver political freedoms, economic benefits, stability, or security since the wave of independence from colonial powers began in the mid-20th century. “Islam is the solution” became a common refrain echoed by multiple movements. Islamist political parties competed in democratic elections in North Africa, the Levant, and the Gulf. Meanwhile, diverse militant movements—from Morocco to Egypt, from Lebanon across to the Gulf—turned to hostage-taking and suicide bombs against diplomatic, military, and civilian targets to enhance their impact.
AFGHAN NEWS
Mujahid: Employees of Intl Institutions Should Comply With Local Law
By TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that employees of international institutions who work in different sectors in…
World Student Day spotlights Afghan students’ struggles and challenges
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
World Student Day is observed annually on November 17th, marking a day of historical importance while shedding light on the issues affecting students…
Taliban warns of worsening winter conditions for Afghan migrants expelled from Pakistan
By AMU TV
As winter approaches, the acting commerce minister for the Taliban expressed concern about the severe conditions faced by thousands of Afghan citizens being…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan's Deportation Of Afghans 'Couldn't Have Happened At A Worse Time,' UNHCR Says
By RFE
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan says the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Afghans from Pakistan threatens to deepen the…
Report Reveals Aspects Of Illegal Afghan Immigration To Iran
By Iran International
Afghan refugees are trafficked to Iran in a very coordinated manner and officials, from border police to authorities issuing legal documents might be involved, a…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN may hold ‘important’ meeting on Afghanistan next month
By Javed Ahmad Kakar - Pajhwok Afghan News
The United Nations may convene an ‘important’ meeting regarding Afghanistan in Qatar next…
By Holly Bancroft - The Independent
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is scrambling to evacuate 3,000 people with links to the British armed forces who have been languishing in hotels in Pakistan – where some have waited…
THE DAILY WTF
Acting Minister Calls for Specialization in Education
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
The Acting Minister of Higher Education said that specialization is the basic principle in a…
‘No shit’ signed…women of the world. - TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.19 AFN (as of 19 NOV 2023)