Satellite images suggest that by the end of this year, Pakistan could surpass Afghanistan in drug production, with profits going to various terrorist groups in its southwestern province. Here, poppy fields grow as attacks multiply. Separatist groups and Pakistan’s military have been joined recently by the Islamic State with the local population caught in the crossfire.

The official death toll from the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen to 800, with over 2,800 injured, while rescue workers struggle to reach remote areas affected by the disaster. The emergency comes on top of the nearly two million refugees forced to return from Pakistan and Iran in recent months. In addition to the lack of infrastructure, the shortage of female doctors, a consequence of the bans imposed by the Taliban after their return to power, is further complicating assistance.

Islamabad has resumed forced repatriations, setting 1 September as the deadline for the departure of 1.4 million Afghans. The decision was taken despite the humanitarian disaster in their homeland, where, according to a recent US State Department report, the Taliban are imposing an ‘institutionalised system of repression’.

The state-owned China Metallurgical Group Corporation has announced the start of work at the Mes Aynak mine, one of the largest copper deposits in the world. But the area is still mined, infrastructure is lacking, and security risks remain high. The Kabul regime is seeking legitimacy by focusing on Chinese investment, and Beijing is proceeding, but with caution.

Since the beginning of July, all refugees who fled the Taliban regime in 2021 have been receiving text messages ordering them to leave Tajikistan within 15 days. Those living in the country legally and many former collaborators of the pro-Western government in Kabul are also targeted. There are reports of men, women and children being loaded onto small buses. This crackdown comes on top of others already in place against Afghan exiles in Pakistan and Iran.

Although it has not yet achieved full political recognition from Moscow, Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with the Taliban for an important railway line. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are also promoting agreements with Beijing's blessing. The only exception remains Tajikistan, where the issue of discrimination against the Tajik minority in Afghanistan still weighs heavily.