Iran’s Possible Recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: a Strategic Outlook

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Special Eurasia: Tehran’s potential recognition of the Taliban is a strategic security hedge designed to stabilise its eastern frontier and prevent Afghanistan from being used as a platform for hostile intelligence or militant activity. Deepening trade interdependence, energy exports, and border free-trade zones are embedding Afghanistan structurally into Iran’s economy, transforming geopolitical risk into geo-economic leverage. Recognition could integrate Afghanistan into a Russia–Iran–Eurasia connectivity framework, linking Chabahar and the Caspian to the International North–South Transport Corridor and accelerating a regional, non-Western stabilisation model. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan has just legalised domestic violence

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Tyla: A new penal code has been published by Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, which will legalise acts of physical punishment against women. The alarming news comes in light of Hibatullah Akhundzada – the Supreme Leader of the Islamist extreme group – signing a 90-page criminal code which outlines different degrees of legal penalisation depending on whether or not the recipient is ‘free’, or a ‘slave’. Click here to read more (external link).

Promoting Violence and Indoctrinating Ideology: How Taliban Songs Draw Children into the Battlefield

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8am: Some families in Kabul say that their children’s attitudes toward the future have changed after listening to songs produced by the Taliban. They add that after hearing these songs, their children show greater curiosity about topics related to war and frequently use terms such as “suicide, jihad, and martyrdom” and other violent concepts in daily conversations and play. These families believe that repeated exposure and easy access to such content could influence children’s mindset and shape their worldview over time. They also told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that easy access to these songs via social media and mobile phones makes monitoring and controlling them difficult. According to the families, the absence of awareness programs and stricter oversight of violent content has increased their concerns about the intellectual and behavioral future of their children. These families also criticized companies like Meta and YouTube, saying that despite regulations requiring review and removal of violent content, these songs remain readily accessible to children. One of the Taliban songs playing on the phone of Nooragha’s child (pseudonym) goes: “Oh Ghazi! Blow up the barrel, blow up the barrel. The caravan is passing by; be ready to strike it.” Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Orders Gender Segregation In Hospital Operating Rooms

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Afghanistan International: Under the directive, all members of a surgical team must be either entirely male or entirely female, and mixed-gender teams are prohibited. The order states that a patient’s gender will not be considered when assigning surgical staff. The new order has raised concerns about the ability of Afghanistan’s healthcare system to provide adequate and standard medical services under the single-gender requirement for surgical teams. Health sector observers say the country lacks sufficient numbers of female medical specialists, which could make implementing the directive difficult. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan beat UAE for first T20 World Cup win

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Amu: Afghanistan secured their first victory of the T20 World Cup on Monday, defeating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets with four balls to spare at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium. The victory gives Afghanistan their first points of the tournament after losses in their opening two matches, keeping their hopes alive in the group stage. Click here to read more (external link).

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Islamabad mosque attack is the result of Pakistan’s policy of nurturing Daesh: Mujahid

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Zabihullah Mujahid

Ariana: Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, says the recent attack on a mosque in Islamabad was the consequence of Pakistan’s longstanding policy of “nurturing Daesh.” He argued that Pakistan’s instrumental use of Daesh for “covert and intelligence-driven objectives” harms not only the people of Pakistan but also has negative repercussions for the people of Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).

Fazl-ur-Rehman: U.S. Using Pakistan Against Russia and China in Afghanistan

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Fazlur Rehman

Tolo News: Leaders of two major religious parties in Pakistan have called for a review of the country’s policies toward Afghanistan and for improving ties between Kabul and Islamabad. Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F), said during a joint press conference with Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, that Russian and Chinese investment in Afghanistan is unacceptable to the United States. According to him, Washington is using Pakistan to counter this trend. Click here to read more (external link).

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37 Years Since Soviet Army Withdrawal from Afghanistan Marked Today

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Soviet Troops (file photo)

Khaama: Today, February 15, marks 37 years since the complete withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, concluding a decade-long conflict that profoundly affected the country and its people. The Soviet military invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 under orders from the Ministry of Defense, installing Babrak Karmal as head of state shortly after the incursion. Click here to read more (external link).