
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.
Afghanistan Can't Catch a Break
Could U.S. aid indirectly lessen the burden on Taliban officials? Most likely. But punishing the Afghan people for the sins of their rulers was never going to be a better alternative.
Harry—Stripped of His Military Titles—Will Soon Mark a Major Milestone
Prince Harry is approaching the 10-year anniversary of a life-changing tour of Afghanistan in which he served as co-pilot gunner on an Apache helicopter.
Biden Afghanistan Withdrawal Likely Strengthened al-Qaeda, Pentagon Admits
The Taliban will "likely loosen its restrictions on Al-Qaeda" within the next year or two, a new report warned.
Taliban Official Admits Daughters Go to School As Afghan Teens Are Banned
The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan raised concerns about the rights of women and girls, who had made advances since the end of the group's first rule.
Taliban Announces Countrywide TikTok Ban Due to 'Immoral' Effects on Youth
The South Korean multiplayer battle video game PUBG, which is short for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, was also banned.
Iran's Worst Fears in Afghanistan Are Coming True as ISIS Tests Red Line
"Unfortunately, some extremist forces are embarking on racial and ethnic disparities in Afghanistan for their own narrow political objectives," Iran's U.N. mission told Newsweek.
Afghanistan Is Now Someone Else's Problem
Today, with U.S. forces no longer carrying Afghanistan on their shoulders, the responsibility is now thrusted onto Kabul's own neighbors, who have far more at stake in Afghanistan's stability than the U.S. ever did.
Group Wants More Terror Victims, Not Just From 9/11, to Get Taliban Money
More than 500 veterans and members of military families are calling on Congress to broadly compensate victims of terrorism with confiscated Taliban funds.
Iran Condemns Afghan Mosque Attack After US, China, Russia, Pakistan Talks
Iran's embassy in Kabul "condemns the use of terrorist methods that threaten the security of the Afghan people" at a time when major powers are still grappling with the country's crisis.
Afghans Worldwide Plead for Support As Taliban Terrorizes Their Relatives
"You cannot evacuate 40 million people from a country, you can only evacuate a couple of thousands. And then what will happen to the rest?"
Biden Administration Secures Release of Naval Reservist Held by Taliban
Safi Rauf has been in Taliban captivity since this past December.
Taliban Increases Brutality as World Focus Turns to Ukraine
"The world right now is more focused on Russian aggressions in Ukraine than on Taliban brutalities in Afghanistan," the Wilson Center told Newsweek.
Taliban Clamps Down, Stops Airing Some Media Reports, Foreign TV Shows
The United Nations called the banning of two BBC broadcasts "another repressive step against the people of Afghanistan."
Afghan Girls Crushed as Taliban Rescind Decision to Reopen Schools
Afghanistan reversed its decision to allow girls to return to secondary schools the day they were supposed to reopen.
Taliban to Allow Afghan Girls to Return to School, With Some Conditions
Female students are required to be taught separately from males and can be instructed only by women teachers.
U.S. Diplomat Apologizes to 12,000 Afghans Stranded After Taliban Takeover
"I told them that I was really sorry it was taking so long and I was as frustrated as they were, frankly," the official said.
The Grande Armée of Kabul
Whatever the purpose for Afghanistan's "grand army," it will face a set of challenges that insurgent commanders did not deal with while fighting an insurgency.
Taliban Tightens Its Grip on Afghanistan with Arrests, Targeted Killings
"Human Rights Watch is increasingly concerned that revenge killings condoned by senior Taliban leaders are now becoming the basis for a deliberate policy to seek out and execute targeted former government's security officials and others."
Taliban Call for Russia-Ukraine Peace, Say They Fear for Civilians
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan called for solving the crisis in Ukraine through "dialogue and peaceful means."
US Makes Enemy of Taliban, Angers Afghans in Seizing Billions for 9/11 Fund
The Taliban's Al-Hanafi Wardak told Newsweek the group will "be forced to reconsider its foreign policy towards the United States" if Washington doesn't back down.
9/11 Families Worry Only a Fraction Will See The $3.5B In Afghan Funds
Biden unfroze $7 billion Afghan assets, half of which could go to families of 9/11 victims. However, the families are divided on where the money should go.
Taliban Says It Released Detained UN Journalist Andrew North, Others
Since August 2021, at least 50 journalists and media workers have been detained or arrested in Afghanistan.
New Zealand Offers Pregnant Reporter in Afghanistan Voucher to Return Home
After previously being offered refuge from the Taliban, pregnant reporter Charlotte Bellis has now been allowed to return home to New Zealand.
Taliban 'Welcomes' Pregnant Reporter Denied Reentry to New Zealand, COVID
"When the Taliban offers you—a pregnant, unmarried woman—safe haven, you know your situation is messed up," said Charlotte Bellis.
Who Is Mark Frerichs? Biden Demands Taliban 'Immediately Release' Hostage
On Sunday the president said Frerichs must be freed before the Taliban "can expect any consideration of its aspirations for legitimacy."
Taliban Asks to 'Not Punish' Afghans, For Aid During Diplomatic Talks
The Taliban will likely request nearly $10 billion be unfrozen as nearly 23 million Afghans are facing starvation.
Biden 'Makes No Apologies' for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Regrets Taliban Rule
""There is no way to get out of Afghanistan after 20 years easily. Not possible, no matter when you did it," Biden said.
Taliban Takeover Led to More Than 500.000 Afghans Losing their Jobs
Many people lost their jobs or are not receiving wages. It estimated that 700,000 to 900,000 jobs could be lost by June.
Training Holes Doomed $8.5B Afghan Air Force Against Taliban: Report
Without proper training, the Afghan air force was unable to get the needed qualified personnel, and without contractors, they were unable to maintain aircrafts.
College Paper Asking to Explain Why Taliban Aren't Terrorists Goes Viral
In a statement to Newsweek, the university said it did not align with "such violent groups whose values are so disparate from ours."