Afghanistan

FIFA has decided to allow Afghan players to represent their country in international women’s competitions, despite the Taliban's failure to recognise them. At the same time, Afghan men are expelled from Europe under controversial agreements, while the country is still in the grips of a serious humanitarian crisis. Al-Qaeda backs the Taliban against the Pakistani government.

New Beijing-mediated talks took place today in Xinjiang to halt fighting along the Pakistan-Afghan border. Meanwhile, Islamabad is positioning itself as a mediator in the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, after presenting a tentative ceasefire initiative, with Chinese backing.

The temporary suspension of hostilities until 23 March was agreed by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who are pushing for negotiations on the conflict that began on 26 February. The heavy toll of the bombings on the Afghan capital. The Taliban speak of violations. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, statements by the US intelligence chief regarding “potential threats” from Pakistani missiles are causing controversy.

According to Kabul, a drug rehab facility in the Afghan capital is also hit in the latest Pakistani airstrikes, with hundreds killed, while Islamabad denies targeting civilians. The escalation is part of Pakistan's "open war" against the Taliban, accused of supporting terrorist groups. India slammed the attack, while China continues to call for restraint.

Pakistani rockets continue to strike Taliban political and military targets in Afghanistan, with the UN reporting at least 66,000 people displaced and dozens of civilians killed. Pakistan also faces anger from its own Shia community following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Renewed fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban is further exacerbating the precarious situation of families registered as refugees by the UNHCR but without a clear pathway to permanent resettlement. Often living incognito for security reasons, they fear repatriation to Afghanistan, under a government that persecutes them. One woman pleads: "I want my children to be able to grow up without fear.”

The Afghan response to Pakistan’s bombings has escalated the never-ending conflict. Pakistan promises "decisive" action against the bases of "anti-Pakistan terrorists" in Afghanistan. Caught between the two, China calls for moderation. Meanwhile, 21 million Afghans already living in poverty risk paying the price of this never-ending conflict.

The award was also given to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for their peace process and to the Palestinian NGO Taawon for its humanitarian work. In his message, Pope Leo XIV said that fraternity is “not a distant ideal, but an urgent necessity.” Yaftali’s work for girls’ education, which has been severely restricted under the Taliban after they returned to power in 2021, was recognised. Her appeal is for the world not to forget Afghan women.

During a meeting today with UN officials and foreign representatives, Afghan authorities stated that the decline in opium use is due to the ban on poppy cultivation imposed in 2023. However, a UN report highlights an increase in the use of methamphetamine and sedative drugs, especially among young men facing economic hardship.

Seven people were killed in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) in the commercial district of Shahr-e-Naw. The attack, which is part of a broader anti-Chinese jihadist campaign, reignites fears for the security of investments in Afghanistan. Beijing continues to maintain a diplomatic and economic presence, while internal divisions within the Taliban leadership complicate the political and security situation.

After focusing on the opportunities opened up by the US withdrawal, China now has to contend with the new winds of war between Kabul and Islamabad, which are also affecting the thousands of Chinese working on one of the most important routes of the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, the Taliban are recruiting contingents from the Uighur diaspora.

The country wants to diversify its trade routes with the region, reducing its dependence on Pakistan. This trend has strengthened after recent hostilities with its neighbour. In the last month, Afghan traders have lost 200 million dollars. The trade balance with the five Central Asian countries has reached 1.7 billion.