Afghanistan

The economy is crippled by severed trade routes and threatened aid. The conflict with Pakistan has halted critical Central Asian trade routes, while the US warns that Taliban policies threaten international aid. A new air route via Afghanistan offers a minor logistical development.

• 1US race to counter Iranian drones echoes response to roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan
• 1US warns Taliban policies threaten Afghanistan aid
• 1National carrier takes new route via Afghanistan, Azerbaijan for European destinations
• 1Belarus opens 'gateway' to Afghanistan, sees effects
• 1Alibaba Plans $1.5M Grants for African Startups in 2026

The Taliban's diplomatic isolation is intensifying as China mediates the Pakistan conflict. The US designated Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detention, and the Taliban installed a new diplomat in Germany without notification. China is the primary external actor, repeatedly urging dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcoming the temporary ceasefire.

• 3Pakistan and Afghanistan declare temporary ceasefire amid escalating conflict
• 3China directly mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan – Foreign Ministry
• 3China urges Afghanistan, Pakistan to resolve tensions via talks, not force
• 2Taliban install new diplomat without telling Germany: Report
• 2Chinese envoy urges jointly helping Afghanistan achieve lasting stability, development, prosperity

Security is defined by a cycle of deadly cross-border airstrikes with Pakistan, temporarily paused for Ramadan. Pakistan conducted airstrikes on a Kabul hospital that the Taliban says killed hundreds. A temporary multi-day ceasefire for Ramadan and Eid was announced, and the Taliban released an American detainee.

• 41Taliban says Pakistan airstrike killed 400 at Kabul hospital
• 9Afghanistan fires at Pakistani military aircraft over Kabul
• 8Pakistan conducts airstrikes in Afghanistan, causing civilian casualties
• 6Taliban releases American detainee after year in Afghanistan
• 6Taliban drone strikes hit Pakistani military bases in major escalation

Society is under severe strain from the Taliban's systematic oppression of women and a natural disaster. Taliban edicts force women to give birth outside hospitals and the regime carried out over 1,100 floggings and public executions in the past year. Concurrently, floods and landslides have killed dozens, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

• 2Floods and landslides kill dozens in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• 2‘No matter what’, UN Women vows to stay in Afghanistan, amid deepening rights crisis - Welcome to the United Nations
• 2Humanitarian crisis ‘worsening’ in Afghanistan as war erupts in the Middle East
• 1Taliban forces Afghan women to give birth outside hospitals
• 1Clerics from Pakistan, Afghanistan appeal to authorities to extend pause in fighting till Eidul Azha