Afghanistan

Russia and the Afghan Taliban have signed a deal on repairing Soviet-era and Russian-made weapons, a seemingly small move in a larger game involving the US, Pakistan and Moscow's efforts to curb Western influence. 

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have closed down three local radio stations in the latest move in an ongoing crackdown that has seen the country's media landscape decimated since the militant group seized power for a second time in 2021.

The European Commission has invited officials from Afghanistan's Taliban to discuss the returns of certain migrants. It's controversial on humanitarian grounds, and because Brussels doesn't recognize Taliban authority.

[…] The comment was issued by the foreign ministry in Kabul amid talks aimed at halting cross-border fighting between the two neighbours, which were launched last week following an invitation by China.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have confirmed they are holding talks in China aimed at ending the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

[…] Unanimously adopting resolution 2818 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2818(2026)), the 15-member organ reiterated its full support to the work of UNAMA and requested that the Secretary-General appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to head the Mission.

Crises in the region on both Afghanistan’s longest borders are undermining the country’s stability, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Monday as concerns over Middle East crisis grow amid clashes with Pakistan and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Pakistan’s Defense Ministry said on Friday that the country now considers itself in an “open war” with Afghanistan after the two countries carried out cross-border strikes Thursday night. 

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers said they are preparing "an appropriate and calculated response" to Pakistani air strikes that killed at least 18 people in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan said it had launched strikes on seven militant sites inside Afghanistan in a "retributive response" to recent suicide attacks it said were carried out by Afghan-based extremists.

[…] The next renewal of UNAMA’s mandate in March 2026 offers an opportunity to reimagine the mission’s approach. Deteriorating circumstances in Afghanistan and significant budget constraints will impact UNAMA’s capabilities and priorities in the coming year.