Iran is taking decisive steps to strengthen border security along its 1,000-kilometer frontier with Afghanistan. The move aims to block terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal migrants from crossing into Iranian territory. Hossein Mousavi, head of Iran’s Armed Forces, announced the plan during a ceremony honoring military engineers on March 1, 2025. He emphasized that enhanced border barriers—including walls, fences, and surveillance systems—will curb threats to national safety. Despite historically rocky ties, Iran’s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban regime since 2021 has included trade deals and diplomatic talks. But escalating terrorism risks and smuggling networks have forced Tehran to act. A $3 billion project,…
Author: Muhammad Idrees
A deadly confrontation erupted between Pakistani border forces and the Taliban at the Torkham border, resulting in the death of one civilian. Sources confirmed that two security personnel and another Pakistani civilian sustained injuries in the violent exchange. The clash broke out on Sunday evening, with local sources reporting heavy gunfire between both sides. A video circulating online shows intense firing, but the exact reason behind the Torkham border clash remains unclear. The confrontation followed a nine-day closure of the Torkham crossing. Pakistan had shut down the border after Taliban forces attempted to construct a checkpoint inside Pakistani territory. Foreign…
Afghanistan has been ranked as the most authoritarian nation in the world, according to the Democracy Index 2024 published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Out of 167 countries, Afghanistan stands at the bottom, receiving a democracy score of just 0.25 out of 10. The report highlights the extreme oppression under Taliban rule, making Afghanistan even more restrictive than North Korea and Myanmar. The EIU, a respected research organization with over 75 years of experience, analyzes political and economic trends worldwide. It provides assessments for governments, financial institutions, and corporations. The 2024 Democracy Index report paints a bleak picture of…
A recent investigative report by UK-based news outlet UnHerd has alleged that the BBC has been making payments to the Taliban for security services and broadcasting access in Afghanistan. The report suggests that these payments, made through BBC Media Action and other channels, could violate UK and US sanctions against the Taliban regime. UnHerd claims that the BBC’s financial dealings with the Taliban include payments to their security forces to protect broadcasting infrastructure. The British broadcaster has not yet responded to inquiries from Afghanistan International regarding these allegations. BBC’s Relationship with the Taliban The report, authored by Ali Hamedani and…
LONDON: A new report challenges India’s claims of economic prosperity, exposing the harsh truth of India’s economic disparity. The Indus Valley Annual Report 2025 highlights that while India has a population of 1.4 billion, nearly a billion people lack the financial strength to spend on non-essential goods and services. According to Blume Ventures, a venture capital firm, India’s true consumer market is much smaller than its population suggests. The report states that only 130-140 million individuals belong to the “consuming class,” comparable to Mexico’s consumer base. Another 300 million people are labeled as “emerging” or “aspirant” consumers. They remain cautious…
The Mustafa murder case in Karachi has brought to light the alarming reach and influence of Pakistan’s notorious drug mafia. This case has revealed the deep connections between influential figures, including politicians, businessmen, and even artists, who are allegedly involved in the drug trade. In a significant turn of events, the investigation has exposed the presence of an international drug network deeply embedded within Pakistan. This network has been using private courier companies for smuggling illegal substances across the country. Authorities are now investigating links to money laundering and cybercrime activities connected to the case. Sahir Hassan, the son of…
During his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a significant plan to reclaim military equipment left in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal. The assets, now in the hands of the Taliban, have sparked concern over national security and the proliferation of advanced military technology to extremist groups. Trump’s announcement underlines the growing frustration over this situation, which has raised questions about the future of these weapons and their use by terrorist organizations. U.S. Military Equipment Left Behind The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 led to the abandonment of billions of dollars’…
Anna Kelly, Deputy White House Press Secretary, has raised concerns over the worsening situation for Afghan women under Taliban rule. She described the group’s policies as “medieval laws” that severely restrict freedoms. Kelly blamed the crisis on what she called President Joe Biden’s “disastrous withdrawal” from Afghanistan. Speaking to The Washington Post, Kelly highlighted the impact of the U.S. foreign aid suspension on Afghan women’s education. She stated that Biden’s withdrawal allowed the Taliban to seize control, leading to strict law policies that have devastated educational opportunities. According to reports, several educational programs for Afghan women have been suspended due…
The Taliban have openly dismissed the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC), rejecting its jurisdiction over Afghanistan. On Thursday, the group declared that the country’s previous decision to join the Hague-based court was “unlawful.” They claimed the 2003 agreement by Afghanistan’s former government had no legal standing. This announcement comes after the ICC chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and his close associate. The court accuses them of crimes against humanity, specifically targeting Afghan women and girls. The Taliban seized power in August 2021 after the U.S.-led NATO withdrawal. Since then, they have imposed…
Russia has decided to keep the Taliban on its terrorist list despite earlier signs that the group might be removed. Concerns over security remain the main reason behind this decision. In December 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing temporary suspension of terrorist groups’ activities. This law lets Russian courts remove organizations like the Taliban from the terrorist list under certain conditions. However, Moscow has not taken any steps to remove the Taliban terrorist designation yet. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated that removing the Taliban from the list is a complex and time-consuming process. Russia’s cautious approach…