Taliban’s Second Rule More Repressive Than Its First, Says Former US Envoy To Afghanistan

Sheehy, a Montana senator and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, is spearheading the effort to ensure that the Taliban does not benefit from U.S. humanitarian assistance. If enacted, the No Taxpayer Funding for Terrorists Act would impose strict oversight measures to prevent American taxpayer funds from reaching terrorist organisations.

In a statement, Sheehy expressed his commitment to stopping U.S. funds from being misused. “After years of fighting terrorists, I am honoured to lead the effort to prevent them from using American taxpayer dollars,” he said. “For those of us who lost friends in these wars, it is infuriating to see our money ending up in the hands of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Taliban.”

Sheehy, alongside Senators Tommy Tuberville and Bill Hagerty, formally introduced the bill in the Senate, stressing the urgency of ensuring that taxpayer funds do not support terrorist groups. He further highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that the U.S. national debt had reached $36 trillion and was continuing to rise, making it even more critical to eliminate unnecessary expenditures.

The Senate bill mirrors legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in January by Congressman Tim Burchett. That legislation mandates the U.S. government to report on the management of cash assistance programmes in Afghanistan and outline the safeguards in place to prevent funds from reaching the Taliban.

If passed, the bill will require the U.S. Department of State to establish a formal policy opposing any form of aid to the Taliban. Additionally, it mandates the compilation of a report identifying countries that have provided financial assistance to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since 2021. The legislation also calls on the U.S. government to collaborate with international partners to prevent financial support from reaching terrorist organisations.

Members of Congress are working to advance the bill and send it to President Donald Trump for final approval. Trump has previously cut multiple U.S. foreign aid programmes, particularly those related to Afghanistan.

On Monday, the organisation published its findings on security developments in Afghanistan over the past month. According to the report, the number of incidents attributed to anti-Taliban groups declined significantly compared to December, dropping by 17 cases. In its previous report, the organisation had documented 39 security incidents in December, primarily linked to opposition groups such as the National Resistance Front and the Afghanistan Freedom Front.

The latest report detailed that ISIS conducted three attacks in January—two in Baghlan province and one in Takhar province. Additionally, at least three attacks in Kabul, Takhar, and Herat were classified as “unknown,” with no confirmed perpetrators.

The report also noted that security incidents were concentrated in Herat, Kabul, Baghlan, Kunduz, Parwan, Takhar, Kapisa, and Khost.

Furthermore, Afghanistan Security Watch reported over 500 various incidents occurring within Taliban-controlled executive institutions across the country. However, the organisation did not disclose further details regarding the nature of these incidents.

Speaking at the 12th Herat Security Dialogue in Madrid on Monday, Spanta stressed the need for both peaceful and resistant approaches, stating, “At times, people have no choice but armed resistance.”

He emphasised that the proposed assembly should include all segments of Afghan society—women, men, and various political and social movements that share a vision of a free, independent, and united Afghanistan.

Spanta urged the formation of a strong and inclusive political coalition, arguing that such an alliance could pave the way for a transitional government that enjoys both domestic and international support.

He highlighted that while the pursuit of peace is essential, resistance becomes unavoidable when conflicts are imposed on the people.

“A united front can work towards building an Afghanistan free from terrorism, extremism, discrimination, illiteracy, and hostility to progress. It is time for concrete steps to be taken in this direction,” he asserted.

Addressing the rise of multiple political factions following the Taliban’s return to power, Spanta pointed out that their disunity and lack of a cohesive national agenda have hindered meaningful progress.

He also noted that the international community and regional powers have yet to adopt a unified policy on Afghanistan. Geopolitical rivalries and ideological differences, he said, have resulted in conflicting approaches towards the country, further complicating the path to peace.

“Global and regional power struggles have made securing Afghanistan’s future even more challenging,” Spanta remarked.

The Herat Security Dialogue is an annual conference that gathers representatives from various nations to discuss Afghanistan’s security and political challenges. Last year, the event was held in Tajikistan.

This year’s conference, titled “Afghanistan: Reviving Hope; Synergetic Efforts,” commenced on Monday and will continue for two days, bringing together key political figures, analysts, and policymakers focused on Afghanistan’s future.

In a video message released on Monday by media outlets affiliated with Hezb-e Islami, Hekmatyar did not specify any particular individuals or groups but noted that “attacks occur daily in different parts of the country, and people are fleeing their homeland.”

The Hezb-e Islami leader criticised the Taliban administration’s failure to facilitate the return of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries.

“Instead of bringing back a significant portion of the eight million refugees over the past three years and providing them with resettlement opportunities, we continue to witness a mass exodus,” he said.

Hekmatyar pointed out that despite deportations from multiple countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Türkiye, Arab states, Western nations, and even the United States, the number of Afghan refugees remains high.

He expressed hope that “those committed to Islam and the well-being of the nation and homeland” would find practical solutions to the country’s numerous challenges.

He also stressed the importance of preventing Afghanistan from slipping back into war, whether through internal conflict or hostilities with foreign nations.

Hekmatyar underscored the need for a “legitimate government with clearly defined responsibilities,” warning that the absence of such governance has left Afghanistan vulnerable.

“Unfortunately, at present, there is no national agreement or constitution, and this gap must be addressed,” he said.

The veteran politician warned that the country is “not moving in the right direction,” and that citizens are increasingly anxious about their future.

“We are facing serious threats, both from the United States and from armed groups operating outside the country against the regime,” he stated.

Hekmatyar further highlighted that Afghanistan is experiencing “significant gaps” in governance and called for the establishment of a “dignified council” to address these shortcomings.

Speaking at the 12th Herat Security Dialogue in Madrid on Monday, he also criticised regional countries, particularly Pakistan, for failing to be true allies of Afghanistan.

In an interview with Afghanistan International, Dawar emphasised that the world must acknowledge that the Taliban’s rule does not reflect the will of the Afghan people. He highlighted the importance of forums like the Herat Security Dialogue, noting that such gatherings provide a platform for exchanging perspectives and fostering opportunities to find practical solutions to Afghanistan’s ongoing crises.

Dawar stressed that Afghanistan is facing significant challenges and urged the international community to reassess its approach to the country. When asked about external support for conferences like the Herat Security Dialogue, he stated that, in his opinion, no country in the region has been a true friend of Afghanistan. He added that the destruction of Afghanistan has been facilitated by multiple actors, including the United States, Iran, and neighbouring Pakistan, which he described as a “great tragedy.”

Despite these adversities, Dawar expressed confidence that Afghans will persevere, as they have throughout history, and that the current situation will eventually change.

Dawar has previously participated in Herat Security Dialogue sessions and has been a vocal critic of the Taliban. He has consistently argued that the Taliban do not represent the Afghan people, referring to them as a “project of Rawalpindi” and asserting that their identity is rooted in terrorism.