Afghanistan

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027, as speakers warned that the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life continues to undermine Afghanistan’s prospects for peace, stability and recovery.

The European Union is preparing to host the Taliban in Brussels for the first time for "technical talks" on the repatriation of Afghans despite sharp criticism from rights groups and signs Afghanistan's rulers are cracking down further on women.

A Taliban crackdown on women’s dress code in Afghanistan has escalated into a rare mass street protest in the western province of Herat, with at least two people, including one boy, killed by security forces.

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.