The U.S. Congress’s independent watchdog on Afghanistan concluded in its latest report (Bloomberg) that Afghanistan “remains poor, aid-dependent, and conflict-affected” despite the United States spending at least $837 billion on the country over two decades. The report added that the pandemic hampers Afghanistan’s prospects for economic growth.

The grim accounting comes as the United States prepares to complete a full withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan at the end of August. The $837 billion in U.S. spending on fighting and reconstruction does not include billions more spent on intelligence, veterans’ benefits, and financial aid. The report described the Taliban’s recent military gains as an “existential crisis” (VOA) for the Afghan government. Meanwhile, the Taliban has increased its regional diplomacy, meeting yesterday (Al Jazeera) with China’s foreign minister.

Qin Gang, a Chinese diplomat known for censuring criticism of China, arrived in Washington (SCMP) to take up his post as ambassador to the United States. He said he would strive for peaceful coexistence between the countries.
 
Malaysia: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s allies urged him to resign (Straits Times) after a rare rebuke from the country’s king, who said he did not consent to Muhyiddin’s lifting of pandemic-related emergency ordinances. The comment struck a blow to an already scandal-stricken coalition (AFP). 

Days of heavy flooding in southern Bangladesh have destroyed an estimated 2,500 shelters (AP) at Rohingya refugee camps and killed at least six people, the UN refugee agency said. More than five thousand refugees have been temporarily relocated.

The United States imposed new sanctions (AP) on Syrian prisons, government officials, militant groups, and militia leaders in response to reported human rights abuses. They are the Joe Biden administration’s first sanctions on Syria and deviate from the previous administration’s preference for sanctioning businesses, financial groups, and associates of President Bashar al-Assad’s family.
 
Iran: In a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei suggested that deep differences remain (Al-Monitor) in nuclear negotiations with the United States, especially over Washington’s goal of requiring Iran to negotiate on missiles and regional issues in the future. 
 
This Backgrounder unpacks the Iran nuclear deal.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the deployment (AFP) of nearly 1,500 troops to Mozambique to fight jihadi insurgents. The deployment is part of the Southern African Development Community’s three-month mission in the country.
 
Nigeria: A former trader for commodities giant Glencore who said he was part of a bribery scheme in Nigeria sent $300,000 in company funds (Bloomberg) to someone who had requested the money to benefit a senior official in elections, according to U.S. court filings. 

European Union countries have together administered (NYT) more COVID-19 vaccine doses per one hundred people than the United States. The progress reflects a stalling of vaccinations in the United States and that vaccine deliveries to EU countries have picked up after monthslong delays.
 
This In Brief explains the importance of vaccination coverage.
 
Armenia: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed that Russian troops be stationed on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which each accused the other (Al Jazeera) of breaking a Russia-backed cease-fire agreement implemented yesterday.

The rate of methane leaks in Mexican oil and gas operations is twice as high (Reuters) as that of leaks in the United States, according to an Environmental Defense Fund report due to be released this week. A lead researcher called the findings “alarming and worrying,” as methane is a driver of climate change.
 
This In Brief looks at how cutting methane emissions can help in the fight against climate change.
 
Cuba: Courts have begun mass trials (CNN) for people arrested for participating in anti-government protests earlier this month. A watchdog group said more than seven hundred Cubans have been detained since the protests began.

The Senate voted 67-32 to advance a bipartisan, $1 trillion infrastructure deal (NYT) that would enact the largest infusion of government investment in public works in more than a decade. It still must clear final votes in both houses of Congress.