LAST 24 HOURS
PUTIN ANNOUNCES PRIORITY FOR AFGHANISTAN POLICY – At the CSTO meeting in Armenia on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spelled out Russia’s top priority for its engagement with the Taliban. The formation of a truly inclusive government is at the top of Russia’s list. In the past, the Taliban have falsely claimed their government is inclusive and have also flatly stated the government question is an internal decision.
WOMEN PROTESTORS DEMONSTRATE IN KABUL – A small protest led by women was held in Kabul yesterday. The protest was ostensibly held to recognize the upcoming gender violence day of recognition but many of the placards carried also called for the release of several high-profile women’s rights activists who have been arrested by the Taliban. No violence was reported as of yet.
US SECRETARY OF STATE REAFFIRMS QATAR’S ROLE IN THE EVACUATION PROGRAM – In a press briefing, Secretary Blinken praised Qatar’s role in dealing with the Afghanistan crisis. He rightly claimed that Qatar has/is aiding the US with facilitating the relocation of more US priority evacuees than any other country. Qatar used the moment to call on the US to release frozen funds for development purposes as well as humanitarian relief.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE ARRESTS OF FEMALE ACTIVISTS – After yesterday’s protest march, sources within the Ministry of the Interior said that GDI agents had shadowed the protestors and video footage was being scoured to determine the identities of those involved in the march. It is possible that some arrests could be forthcoming.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran launched several attacks on Kurdish regions in Iraq. Iraq responds by deploying more forces to the border.
The regime reportedly arrested Voria Ghafouri, a former member of Iran’s national football team and a critic of the government.
The UN Human Rights Council announced intentions to investigate the Iranian regime over the security response to the protests.
PAKISTAN
General Asim Munir has been chosen as Pakistan’s new military chief.
13 Afghan Refugees were arrested in the Orangi Town area of Karachi for failure to provide legal documents and suspected criminal histories.
The Minister for States and Frontiers announced a drive to register Afghans will be kicked off soon.
TAJIKISTAN
The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, used yesterday’s meeting of the CSTO member states to call for a renewed emphasis on the security of Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.
Russian authorities arrested a Tajik national under suspicion of terrorism. Shamsiddin Burhonzoda, 27, was arrested and interrogated by FSB agents and reputedly confessed to being involved with a terrorist organization.
SPOTLIGHT HEALTH
Afghanistan: Child pneumonia, malnutrition spikes as families face impossible choice: eat or heat
By ICRC
At 33 ICRC-supported hospitals across the country, child malnutrition cases are already 90 percent higher in 2022 compared to all of 2021, rising from 33,000 cases to over 63,000 so far this year. Meanwhile, at an ICRC-supported children’s hospital in Kabul, the number of children under 5 being treated for pneumonia has risen 55 percent in 2022 versus the same period last year.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghan Women Take To Kabul Streets
By AFP
A group of female protesters marched in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on November 24 to mark the upcoming International Day for the…
The Afghan Woman Leader Who Stayed Under Taliban Rule
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
August 15, 2021 was a normal workday for Nilab Mobarez, secretary-general of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), a national humanitarian…
Afghanistan repairs 70 military planes, helicopters damaged by US
By Sayed Khodaiberdi Sidat & Bilal Guler - Anadolu Agency
The Afghan Air Force has repaired 70 damaged military planes and helicopters given to the previous government of President Ashraf Ghani by the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan to Begin Registration of Afghan Refugees
By Imran Danish - TOLO News
The Minister for States and Frontier Regions of Pakistan, Talha Mahmood, announced a registration drive for unregistered Afghan refugees in…
Putin says risk of Afghan militants infiltrating region a concern
By Ariana News
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan in Armenia on Wednesday the situation in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Germany to give 90 million euros in aid to people of Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Germany’s Chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan has announced that his country will help the people of Afghanistan with 90 million euros…
What is Canada’s Migration Strategy for Afghans?
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The federal government of Canada revealed an ambitious goal earlier this month to welcome 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025…
THE DAILY WTF
Asylum crisis in Belgium: A symptom of failing European migration policies?
By Valerie Gauriat - EuroNews
Coming from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, hundreds of people come knocking each morning at the door of the refugee office in Brussels, to seek asylum…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.24 AFN (as of 25 NOV 2022)