Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate is demonstrating the limitations of the Taliban’s counter-terrorism capacity as it targets the group’s senior leaders. Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate, ISIS-K, is ramping up its attacks on the Taliban in Afghanistan, undermining the group’s pledge to end suicide bombings in the country. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a string […]

The UAE has called on United Nations organizations to stop using the term ‘Islamic State’ when referring to Daesh, during the UN Security Council in New York, arguing that the extremists should not be associated with the religion. UAE Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires, Mohamed Abushahab said in his address that organizations should not “permit Daesh and […]

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Kabul, Khawaja Awadov, said in a meeting with the chief director of Afghanistan’s Railway Authority, Mullah Bakhtur Rahman Sharaf, that 28 educational scholarships will be given to the employees of this authority. Detailed discussions were held on cooperation related to the railway sector and the Turkmen ambassador assured the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) of their […]

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Thursday talks with the United States over the frozen assets are ongoing and that he is hopeful the White House will release the country’s foreign reserves in the near future. He said both Washington and Kabul remained in contact with each other over the issue and over issues relating to the banking and […]

How Hubris and Paranoia Threaten China’s Future Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping was riding high. He had consolidated power within the Chinese Communist Party. He had elevated himself to the same official status as the CCP’s iconic leader, Mao Zedong, and done away with presidential term limits, freeing him to lead China for the rest of his life. […]

Pakistan’s Taliban accused the military Tuesday of breaking a fragile ceasefire, after the army said five soldiers and at least four militants died in a gun battle in the country’s northwest. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) declared an indefinite ceasefire in June to facilitate peace talks being brokered by neighbouring Afghanistan, but there have been regular clashes since then despite both sides […]

Taliban Need to Protect, Assist Hazara, Other At-Risk Communities The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Islamic State’s (ISIS) affiliate in Afghanistan, has repeatedly attacked Hazaras and other religious minorities at their mosques, schools, and workplaces, Human Rights Watch said today. The Taliban authorities have done little to protect these communities from suicide bombings and other unlawful attacks or […]