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Afghanistan

Latest news and updates on Afghanistan, China relations and the Taliban's return to power after the 20-year war with the US and allies.

Capital

Kabul

Head of state

Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada

Head of government

Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Taliban vehicles are seen parked during the funeral ceremony of Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the minister for refugees and repatriation who was killed in a terrorist attack, in Sarana, Paktia province, on December 12. Photo: AFP

War and conflict

Opinion | Taliban’s promise of security through strength in Afghanistan rings hollow

While the Taliban claims to have improved security in Afghanistan, terror attacks have only continued since the group seized power.

2 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Opinion | How Syria’s new chapter changes the game for the entire region

15 Dec 2024 - 9:20AMvideocam

Islamic militancy

Isis says behind suicide blast that killed Afghan minister

12 Dec 2024 - 10:17AM

Middle East

Afghanistan’s refugees minister killed by suicide blast

Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani was killed in an explosion at the ministry’s offices in the capital Kabul.

11 Dec 2024 - 10:24PMvideocam

Afghanistan’s Minister for Refugees Khalil Haqqani (middle) at a refugee camp near the Afghanistan-Pakistan Torkham border in 2023. Photo: AFP

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Why China’s outreach to Central Asia will only grow

Amid increasing investments and a greater emphasis on security, China’s presence in Central Asia differs from its outreach to other regions.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:44PMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan strikes 7-day ceasefire deal between warring sectarian groups

Deal comes after days of bitter sectarian gunfights in the country’s northwest Kurram district that have killed dozens.

25 Nov 2024 - 10:55AM

Australia

‘War is messed up’: why young Australians don’t want to join the military

Observers blame a ‘culture of self-loathing’ for destroying the self-esteem of Australia’s youth and undermining faith in its institutions.

24 Nov 2024 - 10:00AM

Australian soldiers conduct joint manoeuvres with Indonesian marines during an amphibious landing exercise on November 13. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Pakistan sectarian violence kills 32, injures 47

Retaliating for the killing of Shiite Muslims on Thursday, Shiite Muslims on Friday attacked businesses and homes owned by Sunni Muslims.

24 Nov 2024 - 4:01PM

American cinema

Jennifer Lawrence-produced film shows women’s torment in Afghanistan

Apple TV+ documentary Bread & Roses, co-produced by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, was shot entirely on smartphones.

19 Nov 2024 - 4:45PMvideocam

Taliban

Taliban seeks international aid for Afghanistan’s reconstruction

Emphasising destruction caused by decades of conflict, Taliban called for technical help and economic development initiatives.

18 Nov 2024 - 1:09AMvideocam

A Taliban security guard stands guard with with a whip in front of Afghan men waiting outside a bank to withdraw money. Photo: dpa

India

India seeks to boost ties with Afghanistan – is it a move to sideline Pakistan?

Officials from both sides recently met to discuss issues, including enhancing trade via an Afghan port run by an Indian company.

14 Nov 2024 - 3:13PMvideocam

The embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

Recap | ‘Witch flies’ above China on broomstick, Taliban tourism boom and more latest videos

From social media sensations to latest news stories and the downright quirky, check out some of the latest videos from the South China Morning Post.

12 Nov 2024 - 2:49PMvideocam

How the Taliban is attracting Chinese tourists

9 Nov 2024 - 10:00AM

Diplomacy

Opinion | As Chinese citizens in Pakistan face terror threats, Beijing can do more to help

As terror attacks persist, Pakistan and China must work together with other countries in the region on a holistic solution to the violence.

6 Nov 2024 - 5:37PMvideocam

Chinese and Pakistani engineers conduct an inspection at the New Gwadar International Airport in Gwadar, Pakistan, on September 14. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Opinion | How the Middle East quagmire muddies Biden’s legacy

The Biden administration’s repeated missteps have dealt a big blow to US standing in the region and given Beijing an opportunity to exercise its global influence.

31 Oct 2024 - 7:16AMvideocam

Taliban

Afghan Taliban vow to implement media ban on images of living things

The law, which will be gradually enforced, is aimed at persuading people that images of living things are against Islamic law.

14 Oct 2024 - 5:37PMvideocam

US presidential election 2024

FBI arrests Afghan man for plotting US election day attack

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, and alleged co-conspirator were arrested after meeting FBI assets to buy weapons.

9 Oct 2024 - 11:06AM

Belt and Road Initiative

China calls on Pakistan to ‘severely punish’ attackers after 2 Chinese killed

Baloch Liberation Army finds targeting Chinese interests ‘a useful tool’ in its separatist campaign, says academic.

7 Oct 2024 - 8:12PMvideocam

A Pakistan Airport Security Force member stands guard near the wreckage of vehicles after an explosion near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on October 6, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | Will suing the Taliban protect Afghan women? Maybe with China’s help

Taking legal action over gender discrimination in Afghanistan may have limited impact, but Beijing has influence it can use to bring change.

1 Oct 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Opinion | Gaza polio case a wake-up call for the world

Creating conditions where routine health interventions cannot be delivered, as is the case in Gaza, risks disastrous consequences.

28 Sep 2024 - 12:26PM

Pakistan

Is Pakistan’s bid to kick-start Gwadar port putting ‘cart before the horse’?

A lack of business activities and poor infrastructure mean the goal of making Gwadar into a shipping hub is unfeasible, analysts say.

23 Sep 2024 - 4:49PMvideocam

Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan. Photo: Xinhua

US presidential election 2024

Republicans accuse Biden team of lying about 2021 Afghanistan pull-out

House Republican report cites US Vice-President Kamala Harris as she seeks the presidency against Donald Trump.

9 Sep 2024 - 12:03PM

US Marines at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. File photo: US Marine Corps via Reuters

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The local premier league season has kicked off short of fans, sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, good facilities and exciting players.

7 Sep 2024 - 6:30AM

Germany

Germany’s far-right AfD wins first regional election, exit polls show

AfD took former East German state Thuringia, was neck-and-neck with conservative CDU for first place in Saxony, which also held election.

2 Sep 2024 - 6:18AM

Central Asia

Taliban committed to engagement, UN calls morality law is ‘gender apartheid’

A Taliban government spokesman has said Afghan authorities are committed to engagement with the international community despite law backlash.

1 Sep 2024 - 6:54PM

An Afghan woman wearing a burqa in Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2024. Photo: AFP

US presidential election 2024

Harris says Trump ‘disrespected sacred ground’ at US military cemetery

The US Army says a cemetery employee was pushed after asking Trump’s team to stop filming in a burial section where photography is banned.

1 Sep 2024 - 9:38AM

Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump places his hands over his heart after placing a wreath in honour of Sergeant. Nicole Gee at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday. Photo: AP

Germany

Germany deports 28 Afghan nationals, the first since 2021 Taliban takeover

Germany does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban, requiring the government to work through other channels. It is unlikely that Friday’s actions will lead to a wider thawing of relations between Germany and the Taliban.

30 Aug 2024 - 7:51PM

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Refugee team’s first Paralympic medallist dedicates win to ‘women of Afghanistan’

Zakia Khudadadi, competing in her second Games, also dedicated her taekwondo bronze to ‘all the refugees of the world’.

30 Aug 2024 - 7:24PM

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