Taliban Mark One Year Ruling Afghanistan |
Taliban fighters and commanders gathered (WaPo) in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, to celebrate one year of rule over the country. Since their takeover, a tanking economy has plunged nearly half the population (CNN) into acute hunger, and women have been effectively banned from secondary education. On Saturday, Taliban security forces broke up (NPR) a protest of women calling for increased political participation by firing live ammunition over the demonstrators’ heads.
Meanwhile, billions of dollars of Afghan central bank funds remain frozen by the United States. U.S. officials told CNN that they are still concerned about assets being diverted to fund terrorism. The Taliban have refused to acknowledge that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was in Kabul when a U.S. drone strike killed him earlier this month.
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“The United States and its partners should not throw up their hands and avoid engagement with the Taliban. Mistrust is more than warranted, but modest forms of cooperation in a few key areas could help stabilize Afghanistan, which remains important for regional and global security,” the International Crisis Group’s Ibraheem Bahiss and Graeme Smith write for Foreign Affairs. “[Policies including the freeze of Afghan assets] are putting women at risk here. In the name of feminist policies, we are seeing women die of hunger,” the International Rescue Committee’s Vicki Aken tells CNN. |
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China Conducts New Military Drills Around Taiwan as More U.S. Lawmakers Visit |
A five-person U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan’s capital (WaPo), Taipei, as part of a larger Asia trip. Their visit follows one by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.
Japan/North Korea/South Korea: In a speech, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol offered economic aid (Yonhap) to North Korea in exchange for steps toward denuclearization and said he will work to improve ties with Japan. |
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Modi Aims to Make India a Developed Country Within Twenty-Five Years |
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Middle East and North Africa |
Eight Wounded in Shooting in Jerusalem’s Old City |
Five Americans were among (CNN) those injured when a man opened fire at a bus stop near Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Police said the shooter, who Israeli media described as a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship, turned himself in (Times of Israel, AFP) after the attack.
Iran: The country’s foreign ministry blamed (Reuters) author Salman Rushdie and his supporters for Friday’s stabbing attack on Rushdie, whose writing has been called blasphemous by some Muslims. In 1989, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued an edict calling for his death. |
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Kenya to Announce Results of Presidential Vote |
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Regulator: Germany Needs to Cut Natural Gas Use By a Fifth to Avoid Winter Shortage |
While the country hit its first target for reduced gas use two weeks ago, its next two targets are much more ambitious (FT), the head of Germany’s natural gas regulator said.
United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Liz Truss had a twenty-two point lead (The Guardian) over former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in a poll of Conservative Party members’ choice for the party’s next leader, who will become prime minister. |
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Report: Facebook Failed to Detect Misinformation Ahead of Brazilian Election |
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Man Dies By Suicide After Ramming Car Into U.S. Capitol Barricade |
Police are investigating (NYT) the incident, which ended in the man dying via a self-inflicted gunshot wound yesterday. |
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Council on Foreign Relations |
58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 |
1777 F Street, NW — Washington, DC 20006 |
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