LAST 24 HOURS
BADAKHSHAN GOVERNOR ADMONISHED IN KANDAHAR – Sources in Kandahar say that the recently recalled Governor had been reprimanded by the supreme leader for causing trouble with his cabinet officials. Apparently, the biggest complaint was the public nature of the disagreements and the potential effects they could have on economic relations with China. It was not clear if the Governor was going to be fired and replaced. A source in Kabul said that China remains concerned about the presence of ETIM terrorists on its border and has continued to call for a ‘solution’ to the problem from the Taliban.
TALIBAN RAISE QUESTIONS OVER PAKISTAN’S CLAIM THAT BANNU BOMBER HAILED FROM AFGHANISTAN – Several Taliban officials continue to cast doubt on Pakistan’s assertion that the suicide bomber who struck a military convoy in Bannu recently had come from Afghanistan. Pakistan had provided evidence in the form of a paper birth certificate it attributed to the bomber. Many observers (TAD included) have suggested that Islamabad must provide more public evidence of the problems they are facing if international and regional States are to be convinced of Taliban complicity in cross-border threats. It is logical for the Taliban to refute these claims but continuing to share valid proof will only make Pakistan’s case stronger.
INDIA APPEARS READY TO ALLOW THE AFGHAN DIPLOMATIC POSTS IN THE COUNTRY TO REOPEN – The Deputy of the Foreign Minister for the Taliban, Abbas Stanekzai said that the Taliban have firm control of the diplomatic posts in India and are planning to reopen them all within days. The former diplomatic leaders had famously posted a statement claiming the Embassy in New Delhi was being shuttered for good. A source in Kabul said the announcement raised a furor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and there was concern that it would damage the Taliban’s already fragile reputation in the international community. India has largely refrained from commenting on the dispute and has yet to confirm if it plans to accept any letters of accreditation from the Taliban at the posts.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of the Interior defended the use of surveillance for targeting women who violate the hated hijab mandates. The Minister compared the practice to the use of traffic control cameras.
The US sanctioned 20 additional entities in an effort to reduce the potential for illicit financing of Iran’s terror and military ambitions.
President Raisi sought to quell concerns over unfair election practices in the upcoming March elections. Much of his dialogue was taken from several previous speeches and political analysts say the elections are likely to be the worst attended in decades.
PAKISTAN
Former PM Nawaz Sharif was cleared in the corruption case that many believe caused him to seek exile in the UK. Political observers opined that it was the final hurdle he needed to overcome in order to stand in the upcoming elections.
The High Court of Islamabad said it had verified that 22 of the 50 missing Baloch students that were taken by unidentified men who have been held for several months. The court said that efforts were underway to recover the remaining 28 students.
Saudi Arabia said it would keep its $3 billion dollar deposit with the Central Bank for another year. The funds are needed to buoy Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The Taliban’s Plan to Rebuild and Legitimize al-Qaeda
By Sajjan M. Gohel & Victoria Jones - Geopolitical Monitor
In addition to plunging the Middle East back into turmoil, the Israel-Gaza crisis has resulted in entities around the world seeking to exploit the palpable tensions, and has even led some young Americans to re-evaluate al-Qaeda’s past comments on Palestine. At the same time, the global jihadist group itself is showing concerning signs of revival, having found refuge in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
AFGHAN NEWS
The Devastating M6.3 Afghanistan Earthquake: An Impossible Recovery?
By Alixia Brule - McGill University
“This is a crisis on top of a crisis”, stressed Arshad Malik, director for Save the Children in…
The Transformative Advantages Of Peace In Afghanistan
By Anwar Iqbal - EurAsia Review
The transformative advantages of peace in Afghanistan envision a paradigm shift in the nation’s trajectory, transcending the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghans Face Abuses in Pakistan, US Announces Hotline
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
Pakistani police are facing accusations of unlawfully detaining, beating, extorting and sexually harassing Afghan refugees as part of a…
Our Envoy Not Summoned by Pakistan Foreign Ministry: Mujahid
By TOLO News
In response to reports of some Pakistani media, the Islamic Emirate said that the Islamic Emirate's Chargé d'Affaires in Pakistan was not summoned, but only received a…
Taliban expresses doubts over Pakistan’s accusation in Bannu attack
By Bais Hayat - AMU TV
The Taliban’s charge d’affaires for Afghanistan’s embassy in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, expressed skepticism regarding Pakistan’s…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Family in Kabul urges release of Guantanamo detainee
By AMU TV
The family of Mohammad Rahim, a detainee at Guantanamo Bay since 2008, is appealing for his release, contesting allegations of his ties to…
UN special coordinator’s report on Afghanistan discussed at Security Council meeting
By Milad Sayar - AMU TV
An independent assessment by UN Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioglu that was presented to the United Nations Security Council was deliberated…
THE DAILY WTF
Nadim: We Are Not Ready to Accept Orders Against Islamic Laws
By Tolo News
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Kabul Medical University students, Nadim added that the Islamic Emirate will never accept the demands of the world that are…
“So…the rest of the Islamic world is wrong and only the Taliban are right and virtuous? The arrogance is cloying.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.86 AFN (as of 30 NOV 2023)