Afghanistan
US says it supports Pakistan's right to defend itself amid renewed conflict with Afghanistan
The US considers the Afghan Taliban to be a terrorist group, and Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of harboring terrorists that it blames for plotting attacks in Pakistan.
Afghanistan gets hit by a third earthquake in days as the Hindu Kush shakes again
Pakistan conducts ground operation, strikes along Afghanistan border, kills 29 fighters
Earthquake in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region sends tremors into Pakistan
Russia warns ISIS-K recruiting Central Asian migrants for regional terror networks
Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said the group’s “Khorasan Branch” had stepped up efforts to recruit members from other extremist groups.
Powerful bomb explodes near train in Pakistan's Quetta, killing at least 24
The attack, which killed at least 24 people and injured more than 70, was the latest in a series of major strikes on infrastructure in the Pakistani province that borders Iran and Afghanistan.
Russia says it's establishing 'full-fledged partnership' with Afghan Taliban
Russia sees a need to work with Kabul as it faces a major security threat from Islamist militant groups based in a string of countries from Afghanistan to the Middle East.
Iranian regime relying on foreign militias to bolster security efforts, suppress protests - report
Iran’s government has not officially acknowledged the role of these foreign militias.
Fourteen Pakistani police officers killed in car bombing, ambush in Bannu
Three personnel have been found alive and transferred to the hospital, the officer added.
Arrest of Pakistani journalist spurs dispute over Al-Qaida allegations
Supporters of Muhammad Saad bin Riaz say the accusations do not match his work as a researcher and journalist focused on regional conflicts and information warfare.
Trump considering plan to send Afghan refugees who helped US to Congo - NYT
AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver criticized the move, describing it as giving the refugees a choice between "the world’s number one refugee crisis to the world’s number two refugee crisis.”
Taliban arrests senior co-founder Mullah Mutasim Agha Jan amid deepening internal rifts
Agha Jan, a close associate of the late Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, served as finance minister in the group’s first government prior to the 9/11 attacks.
Australian former soldier gets bail on Afghanistan war crime charges
Police arrested and charged Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, with five counts of war crimes last week over the murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 and 2012.
Afghan women’s rights advocates urge Melania Trump to support girls facing Taliban restrictions
Over 100 Afghan women’s rights defenders have written to Melania Trump, urging her to help restore education and freedom to Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule.
