LAST 24 HOURS
CHINA READY TO INTERCEDE IN THE REFUGEE CRISIS BETWEEN ISLAMABAD AND KABUL – China’s Ambassador to Kabul met with the Taliban Foreign Minister on Sunday to discuss resolving the disputes between Pakistan and Afghanistan that have led to the refugee crisis. China reputedly offered to help the situation and expressed a desire to see the issue resolved. China’s intervention could produce results as Pakistan’s special trade and development relations with Beijing are considered of primary importance to the economy. While specifics about China’s offer were not released, it is believed that they intend to provide some financial support to aid with the resettlement of those refugees who have thus far, been returned to Afghanistan and potentially host a dialogue between the two neighbors that could offer a solution.
SOURCES SAY TTP AND JAMAAT AL-AHRAR COORDINATING AGAINST PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT – A source in Rawalpindi confirmed that the two terror groups have established a communication channel and are sharing information about potential targets among Pakistani Police and Military forces in the country. Face-to-face meetings are said to have taken place recently and security analysts in Islamabad and at Army headquarters are concerned about an upcoming series of attacks that may have been coordinated between the two groups. A source in Kabul said that the coordination came about after the Taliban in Kabul ‘dressed down’ some TTP Commanders over the problems created with Pakistan. Apparently, Kabul has grown weary of supporting the TTP and is losing faith that the group commands enough fighters in Pakistan to pose a serious threat to Islamabad. For their part, the TTP in Afghanistan has long harbored suspicions that the Taliban are working secretly with Pakistan to betray them.
ISIS-K FOCUSING RECRUITMENT EFFORTS ON TAJIK AND UZBEK POPULATIONS – ISIS-K released a new video that highlights the role of both Tajik and Uzbek minority groups in their ranks and encourages others in Afghanistan to join them in their struggle to unseat the Taliban. While the Taliban say they have seriously degraded the capabilities of the terrorist organization, it continues to launch successful attacks against political, ethnic, and religious targets. A source in Tajikistan said that the group recently received an influx of cash from an unidentified source that should aid with procuring weapons and explosives for a new campaign. Unsubstantiated rumors are beginning to appear in low-profile websites that allude to a Winter Campaign that will focus on unidentified diplomatic targets in Kabul as well as Chinese commercial interests in the country. Clearly, the Taliban have successfully reduced ISIS-K’s abilities to act in the country but many suspect the lull has allowed the terror group to recruit and train new members.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN DEPORTATION OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE - NO CHANGE TO THREAT LEVEL
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi began a hunger strike on Monday after she was denied medical treatment for her participation in the Hijab protests. The suspension of government programs for those involved in protests are being applied across Iranian society. Often, without any official trial or charges being filed.
The Iranian President is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for a meeting with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation focused on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The leaders of both Iran and India spoke yesterday about issues of mutual importance and also about the conflict in Gaza.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s stock exchange surged to near-record highs on strong economic growth data and analysis of government outlays that appear favorable after the deportation operation.
PTI party officials announced it intended to stand in ‘all elections’ during the February election dates and has promised to put forward candidates in every major district. The party also said that it would stand behind former PM Imran Khan, even if he were to ‘lead the country from jail’.
A counter-terrorism operation in Khyber resulted in the deaths of 3 militants and 4 Pakistani soldiers yesterday.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
America’s Withdrawal From Afghanistan Did Not Spur Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
By Peter Schroeder - Foreign Affairs
In August 2023, the United States marked the two-year anniversary of its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. After nearly 20 years of fighting in the country, Washington bumbled its way through a disorderly exit. U.S. officials were caught off guard by the rapid collapse of the Afghan security forces and seemed unprepared to evacuate American citizens or Afghan partners. U.S. President Joe Biden’s handling of the pullout gave his administration a black eye that never fully healed. When the scale of the calamity became apparent at the end of August 2021, Biden’s approval ratings fell from 54 to 46 percent, and they still have not recovered.
AFGHAN NEWS
Refugees Call for Shelter in Warm Areas as Winter Approaches
By TOLO News
The Afghan refugees who have been deported by Pakistan and are currently based in temporary camps in Nangarhar, complained about their…
Affected families in Herat complain about lack of healthcare facilities
By Ariana News
Families in the earthquake-affected areas in western Herat province have complained about the lack of facilities and medicine in…
Growing food insecurity in Afghanistan: Report
By ANI
Afghanistan has emerged as one of eight countries whose citizens suffer from food insecurity...
REGIONAL NEWS
Thousands protest at Pak-Afghan border against decision to restrict border crossings
By Harshit Sabarwal - WION
Thousands of people on Monday (Nov 6) protested at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan against the Pakistani government's decision to restrict border crossings for those not…
Pakistan’s Draconian Policy of Deporting Millions of Afghan Refugees
By Zafar Musyani - Reset Dialogues
On October 3, Pakistan’s caretaker federal interior minister, Sarfaraz Bugti, announced that the country’s Apex Committee, comprising civilian and military leaders, had…
Number of Deported Refugees from Iran Has Doubled: Official
By TOLO News
Officials at Herat’s Islam Qala crossing said that the number of refugees being deported from Iran has recently doubled—over 20,000 Afghans returned within…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Biden Could Be Preparing to Upgrade Ties With the Taliban
By Annie Pforzheimer - World Politics Reveiw
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has quietly begun to soften Washington’s stance on the Taliban as a sponsor of…
THE DAILY WTF
Fall Semester Exams Held While Excluded Girls Look On
By TOLO News
As the final exams of the fall semester are held in government universities, some female students said that they are currently in…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.45 AFN (as of 6 NOV 2023)