Afghanistan

Russia says it's establishing 'full-fledged partnership' with Afghan Taliban

Russia sees a need to work with Kabul as it faces a major security threat from Islamist militant groups based in a string of countries from Afghanistan to the Middle East.

Taliban security personnel climb barefoot up a steep and sandy mountainside on a weekend at the Sayad area of Reg-e-Rawan in Kapisa province on April 24, 2026.
A member of Iranian militia forces (Basij) gestures during an anti-Israeli march in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2025; illustrative.

Iranian regime relying on foreign militias to bolster security efforts, suppress protests - report

Residents gather as heavy machinery clears the rubble of a damaged police post after a car bombing in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan May 10, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.

Fourteen Pakistani police officers killed in car bombing, ambush in Bannu

Muhammad Saad bin Riaz

Arrest of Pakistani journalist spurs dispute over Al-Qaida allegations


Afghan man jailed for threat to kill Reform UK leader Farage in TikTok video

Outside the court, Farage said he was pleased with Khan's sentence but concerned he would be released relatively soon, though Khan is liable to automatic deportation.

Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s Reform UK party, arrives to attend the sentencing of Fayaz Khan, who was earlier found guilty of making a threat in a TikTok video to kill Farage, at Southwark Crown Court in London, Britain, October 14, 2025.

Pakistan closes border with Afghanistan following exchanges of fire

Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border posts late Saturday, with the country's ministry of defense saying this was in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan earlier in the week.

A Pakistani border policeman stands guard at the zero point Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, in Nangarhar province on December 6, 2023.

The Taliban and Afghanistan's neighbors signal opposition to US retaking Bagram base

While not directly addressing the Bagram issue, the Taliban and allies made it clear that they would not tolerate foreign military forces in Afghanistan.

A Taliban military helicopter carries injured victims of a deadly magnitude-6 earthquake that struck Afghanistan, in Mazar Dara, Kunar province, Afghanistan, September 2, 2025.

The Taliban bans women’s books - and too many Afghans applaud - opinion

Thinking naively that Afghans living in Dubai would be either refugees or have wised up - I asked one what he thinks of the Taliban. His answer? "Wonderful."

THE BLUE Mosque in Kabul.

Taliban releases US citizen after visit by envoy, source says

Amir Amiri, who had been detained in Afghanistan since December 2024, was released through Qatari mediation and on his way to Doha.

 Taliban soldiers celebrate on the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street near the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2023.

From looms to laptops, Afghan women lose lifeline in Taliban internet ban

The ban was said to prevent immoral activities. Instead, it has cut off business and education opportunities.

Afghan women prepare dough to make traditional cookies inside a bakery in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 5, 2024.

Explosions in Pakistan kill 24, mainly civilians, near Afghan border, sources say

Local residents said that Pakistani fighter jets had bombed four houses. Two security officials, however, denied this, saying there had been explosions in a munitions dump in a militant hideout.

View of tents at the Omari refugee camp for the Afghan nationals, who were expelled from Pakistan, in Mohmand Dara, Torkham border, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 15, 2025.

Taliban rejects Trump demand to return Bagram Air Base

Taliban rejects Trump’s demand to return Bagram Air Base, citing Afghanistan’s sovereignty under the Doha Agreement. Trump warns “bad things” could follow if the US doesn’t regain control.

 A Taliban soldier enters a helicopter at Bagram Air Base in Parwan, Afghanistan, September 23, 2021. Picture taken September 23, 2021.

Trump says 'bad things' will happen if Afghanistan's Taliban does not return Bagram air base

"If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN," US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post.

US President Donald Trump signing an executive order in the Oval Office, Washington, September 19, 2025; illustrative.

Trump seeks to reclaim Taliban-conquered air base in Afghanistan

Trump has cited Bagram’s proximity to China as one of the main motivations behind this proposed move, stating that the location is “about an hour away from where China is developing nuclear weapons."

 A Taliban soldier enters a helicopter at Bagram Air Base in Parwan, Afghanistan, September 23, 2021. Picture taken September 23, 2021.