Russia Signals Willingness To Cooperate With Taliban In Fight Against ISIS-K

Released on Friday, 2 May, the annual RSF index gave Afghanistan a press freedom score of 17.88, just ahead of Iran, which ranked 176th with a score of 16.22. At the bottom of the list were Syria, China, North Korea, and Eritrea. In contrast, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands topped the index, recognised for their strong protection of journalistic freedoms.

Afghanistan’s position marks a slight improvement from 2024, when it ranked 178th with a score of 19.9. However, RSF continues to classify the country as facing a “very serious” situation for press freedom, placing it among the five worst nations globally for media rights.

The report attributes Afghanistan’s dire ranking to the Taliban’s growing repression of independent media and the widespread economic collapse of media outlets. According to RSF, financial instability has emerged as one of the gravest threats to press freedom worldwide, with three-quarters of global media organisations now facing severe economic difficulties.

“The conditions for practising journalism have deteriorated in half of the countries assessed,” RSF said, warning that without urgent support and reform, many media outlets face collapse. The organisation called for concrete action to safeguard press freedom, ensure access to reliable information, and support the survival of independent journalism.

Afghanistan has also been described as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. In 2024, it plummeted from 152nd to 178th in the rankings, with escalating crackdowns on media by the Taliban.

According to the Afghan Journalists Center, the Taliban closed 22 media outlets over the past year. The group also documented 172 cases of press freedom violations, including arrests, detentions, and intimidation of journalists.

In addition to media closures, the Taliban have imposed increasingly restrictive laws under the “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” framework. This includes bans on broadcasting or publishing images of “living beings” a directive that has further crippled visual journalism and creative content.

Sources aware of the development speaking to Afghanistan International have confirmed that UN officials in Kabul are engaged in talks about Afghanistan’s political future, including the possible accreditation of Suhail Shaheen, currently the Taliban’s envoy in Qatar, as the official group’s ambassador to the United Nations.

According to a source in Kabul, these discussions are part of a broader political roadmap being drafted by the UN for Afghanistan’s re-engagement with the international community.

As part of the proposed framework, three key conditions have been set by the international community and three by the Taliban. The UN is reportedly insisting on the formation of an inclusive government, the dismantling of terrorist networks operating within Afghanistan, and the protection of human rights including the reopening of schools, universities, and workplaces for women.

In return, the Taliban are demanding international recognition of their government, the lifting of economic sanctions, and the unfreezing of Afghanistan’s overseas financial reserves.

Sources say the UN has proposed a phased, step-by-step process for engagement on these six conditions. Should the Taliban establish a broader and more inclusive governing structure in Kabul, the UN seat may be formally handed over to Suhail Shaheen.

The Taliban leadership in both Kabul and Kandahar have, according to the sources, not opposed the plan in principle. Some Afghan political parties and prominent figures have also reportedly welcomed the gradual approach, viewing it as a way to promote human rights, end international isolation, and establish a more representative government.

Diplomatic sources indicate that a six-month timeline has been proposed to begin implementing and monitoring the plan’s key elements.

One diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, confirmed that progress has been made and that all discussions are taking place under the supervision of the Taliban leadership in Kandahar. However, the diplomat warned that hardline factions within the Taliban, as well as certain political groups, remain resistant to power-sharing arrangements.

The Taliban spokespersons did not respond to a request for comment from Afghanistan International.

Suhail Shaheen was nominated by the Taliban as their UN ambassador shortly after their return to power in 2021. However, the UN has not yet formally recognised him in this capacity.

Speaking at the White House on Thursday during the National Day of Prayer, Trump asserted that Bagram once the largest US military base in Afghanistan is located just an hour away from Chinese nuclear weapons facilities.

“We were going to keep Bagram, the big air force base, which is one hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “That’s what they do, they make their nuclear missiles one hour away from Bagram. And I said, you can’t give up Bagram.”

He described the decision to abandon the base during the 2021 withdrawal as “crazy,” emphasising Bagram’s size and strategic value.

Trump also referenced the deadly 26 August 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate, which killed 13 American service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians, while injuring dozens more. “We lost 13 soldiers, and 42 were horribly injured. Nobody ever talks about them,” he said.

Trump has previously stated that his administration planned to retain Bagram not for Afghanistan’s sake, but because of its geographical proximity to China.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has reiterated that Afghanistan is an independent nation and does not permit any foreign military presence on its soil. “Bagram Air Base is under the control of the Islamic Emirate, not China,” Mujahid said in an earlier statement refuting similar claims.

According to the council, a high-level delegation led by senior opposition figures, including Mohammad Mohaqiq, recently travelled to Tehran to engage with Iranian officials. During meetings with representatives from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior, the delegation urged authorities to reconsider the expulsion of Afghans deemed at risk.

Hussain Yasa, spokesperson for the council, told Afghanistan International Radio that deported Afghan security forces have reportedly been subjected to torture by the Taliban upon their return.

In a statement released on Thursday, the council expressed deep concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees, many of whom are former government officials, police officers, judges, and political activists. The Council called on Iran to continue offering refuge and to halt any forced returns that could endanger lives.

The council statement said it submitted a formal proposal outlining measures to protect vulnerable individuals. Iranian officials reportedly pledged to review the plan and assured the delegation that steps would be taken to assess refugee status and improve conditions for Afghan nationals residing in Iran.

Over the past year, Iran has prioritised the deportation of undocumented Afghan migrants, with tens of thousands expelled to date. Despite publicly opposing forced returns, the Taliban claims it is working to support reintegration efforts and has appealed to international organisations for assistance.

Yasa confirmed that the delegation held meetings with both the Foreign and Interior Ministries of Iran. He said Iranian officials promised to take the Council’s concerns seriously and to explore ways of addressing the challenges facing Afghan refugees.

The recent visit by senior members of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan including Mohammad Mohaqiq, Haji Almas Zahid, Abdullah Qarluq, Mahboob Siddiqi, and Habib-ur-Rahman Sayyaf was aimed solely at addressing the worsening refugee crisis.

Yasa clarified that the delegation did not engage in discussions regarding Iran’s broader foreign policy, saying: “The Islamic Republic’s policy toward the Taliban is an internal matter for Iran.”

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Muttaqi said that the current Taliban government represents the entire nation.

Muttaqi claimed that under Taliban rule, citizens are able to live freely without discrimination based on political beliefs, ethnicity, or regional affiliation. He maintained that there are no threats to individuals who wish to live peacefully under the current system.

Commenting on the Taliban’s relationship with the United States, Muttaqi said that several key provisions of the 2020 Doha Agreement particularly the release of Taliban prisoners have not been fully implemented. He noted delays and inconsistencies in prisoner releases and criticised the continued presence of Taliban leaders on international sanctions lists, despite agreements to lift them.

While acknowledging the recent removal of US bounties on some Taliban officials, he insisted that full delisting has yet to occur. He described a recent visit by a US delegation to Kabul as potentially marking the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations and expressed hope for gradual improvement.

He stated that Taliban has a balanced foreign policy and seeks mutual progress in economic, political, and diplomatic fields.

Taliban Maintains Neutrality in India–Pakistan Tensions

Muttaqi also addressed the group’s position on India–Pakistan relations, stating that the Taliban does not interfere in the bilateral tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He stated that Taliban doesn’t take side with one nation against another, and added that the group seeks positive diplomatic ties with both countries.

No Domestic Opposition

On internal security and political opposition, Muttaqi asserted that no organised opposition groups currently exist within Afghanistan and added that those who oppose the the Taliban live abroad Afghanistan and act individually, not as part of any political movement.

He further stated that there are no significant threats to Taliban authority from within and extended an invitation to exiled Afghans, including former political opponents, to return and engage with the Taliban without facing retribution.