Taliban
The latest on the Taliban. Officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, it is a military organization and movement in the middle of a civil war in Afghanistan. Founded in 1994, it has at times controlled Afghanistan, once from 1996 to 2001 and then again in 2021. The United States entered Afghanistan in 2001 after the September 11 World Trade Center attack, eventually assisting in the restoring of democratic rule to the country. In 2021, as President Joe Biden announced a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, the Taliban began to restore rule, ultimately leading to toppling of the sitting government.
Iraq Militias, Seeing Taliban's Win, Plan to Force U.S. Out After Dec. 31
"The Iraqi resistance was earlier than the Afghans in forcing the United States to withdraw from Iraq in 2011, and today the Iraqi resistance is stronger and more numerous," the Hezbollah al-Nujaba Movement spokesperson told Newsweek.
Taliban Says U.S. Sanctions, Frozen Assets Harming Afghans Amid Poverty
"American sanctions have not only played havoc with trade and business, but also with humanitarian assistance," Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi wrote.
Exclusive: Russia Lays Out Path to Stabilize Afghanistan, Avoid Another 9/1
Senior Foreign Policy Writer Tom O'Connor conducted an exclusive interview in Moscow on Tuesday with Russian special representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov.
Agencies Urge U.S. to Do More to Evacuate People Fleeing Taliban Rule
Members of the AfghanEvac Coalition met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and urged him to increase U.S. efforts in the country.
Taliban Seeks U.S. Assent to World Recognition, As ISIS Strikes Within
"Gone are the days of war, threats, sanctions and pressure, and the world must normalize its relations with the Islamic Emirate," Taliban member Alhanafi Wardak told Newsweek.
Malala Yousafzai, Activist and Nobel Prize Laureate, Announces Marriage
"Today marks a precious day in my life," the 24-year-old wrote on Twitter. "Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life."
Trump Says China Might Control Bagram Air Base After Biden Afghanistan Exit
"We would have kept Bagram because it is next to China and it is one hour away from their nuclear facility, and we gave that up too," Trump claimed on Fox News.
Afghan Girls Fear Future, Give Up on Career Dreams After Taliban Takeover
According to UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Omar Abdi, girls can attend secondary school in only five of Afghanistan's provinces.
Every Female Senator Urges to Protect Women in Afghanistan
"We will advise, support, and enable those efforts through legislation and engagement with your Administration," the senators stated.
More Than 120K Photos of Afghan Allies Removed From Public Site
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby confirmed the images were taken down, saying it was "done out of an abundance of caution."
Afghanistan Wedding Ends With Alleged Taliban Gunning Down Guests for Music
The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islam states that music is not permitted under Sharia Law.
Taliban Demands Nations Handover Frozen Afghan Cash Assets Amid Food Crisis
"The money belongs to the Afghan nation. Just give us our own money," finance ministry spokesman Ahmad Wali Haqmal said.
NATO Official Says Afghanistan Mission Became Unrealistic by Rebuilding
"You have to ask, and we've been asking this a lot in the committee I chair, were these goals realistic that we had at the time?" John Manza said.
Ex-Afghan Parliament Member Says U.S. Should Be 'Accountable' for Taliban
"As a superpower, the United States has a major responsibility and should be held accountable," Fawzia Koofi said.
Putin Defends Joe Biden's Decision to Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan
The Russian president told a forum in Sochi that the U.S. should still take responsibility for its military withdrawal.
Russia Sending Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan As Nation Hosts Taliban
Members of the political delegation from the Afghan Taliban's movement attended talks in Moscow on Wednesday.
Taliban Gives Families of Suicide Bombers Who Attacked U.S. Soldiers $112
At a gathering with the families, the Taliban's acting interior minister commended the sacrifices made by "martyrs and fedayeen" in the suicide bombings.
Iran Warns of 'Divisive Schemes' as ISIS Wages Sectarian War in Afghanistan
Iran said it's "confident that our Muslim brothers and sisters in Afghanistan will foil the divisive schemes of their enemies through solidarity."
Stuart Scheller Calls for 'Fundamental Change' in Military Leadership
"This is me accepting accountability. But it deeply pains me that my senior leaders are incapable of being as courageous," Scheller told the judge.
Russia in No Hurry to Recognize Taliban as It Hosts Afghan Leaders
President Vladimir Putin said "the interim government formed by the Taliban regrettably doesn't reflect the entire spectrum of Afghan society."
One-Way Fare From Kabul to Islamabad Now $1500, Taliban Demanding Price Cut
Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said "the situation on the ground is not conducive for international flight operations."
Taliban to Visit Russia as Group Cozy Up to America's Adversaries
Russian foreign affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced the meeting would also involve representatives from India, Iran, China and Pakistan.
The Taliban Blames the U.S. for Afghanistan's Growing ISIS Problem
"There is no doubt that the malicious hand is behind the ISIS attack," Ahmad Yasir, protocol officer of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, told Newsweek.
Afghanistan Winter, ISIS-K Threaten to Collapse Taliban's False Peace
The new Taliban government is facing economic and security crises with winter approaching. One former official warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe."
Taliban Rule Out Cooperation With U.S. to Contain Islamic State
The Taliban's statement comes a day after ISIS-K claimed responsibility for an attack at a mosque in Afghanistan Friday that killed 46 Shiite Muslims.
Taliban 'Assures' Shiite Muslims It Will Protect Them After Mosque Bombing
ISIS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a mosque Friday that killed at least 46 Shiite Muslim worshippers and wounded dozens in Afghanistan.
After U.S. Withdrawal, Taliban Targets New Enemies: Women, Art, Education
"The Taliban will use any tools they have to whitewash and destroy any symbol of modernity, liberty or freedom of choice," mural artist Omaid Sharifi told Newsweek.
Half of Afghan Kids Under 5 Expected to Be Malnourished Amid Food Shortages
"There are millions of people who are going to starve, and there is winter coming, COVID raging and the whole social system collapsed," UNICEF's director said.
Taliban Accused of Killing 11 Afghan Military Members
Two of the victims were civilians, including a 17-year-old girl. Most of the Afghan soldiers killed had surrendered to the insurgents.
Afghanistan Sees Largest Airlift Since U.S. Exit Connected to Music School
"You cannot imagine how happy I am. Yesterday I was crying for hours," the National Institute of Music's director Ahmad Sarmast, said from his Melbourne home.
