Southern Afghanistan’s capital and Loy Kandahar hub
A girl in Afghanistan, who posed as a boy to attend school under Taliban rule, has grown up to become a journalist and now studies at Cambridge. She fled Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban’s return and now runs a news agency highlighting women’s oppression.
The CIA has released 71 presidential daily briefs from 1998–2001, detailing Osama bin Laden’s movements, financing and networks. The documents include warnings that bin Laden may strike the US and pursue weapons, but do not reveal new details on the attacks themselves.
The United Nations and Western officials say al Qaeda has reestablished training camps and bases in Afghanistan over the past three years, with operations in at least eight provinces. Islamic State-Khorasan also appears to be rebuilding in the north, while the Taliban’s environment is allowing more regional activity. Washington maintains that intelligence and drone capabilities remain intact.
Pakistan has intensified cross-border strikes into Afghanistan, with official claims of targeting militant sites while Afghan authorities report civilian casualties. The exchanges come amid a broader regional push for mediation, with tensions mounting after a series of border clashes and drone and air attacks.