The Taliban are set to release a US citizen from detention following warnings from the administration of President Donald Trump. A US delegation was seen in Kabul on Tuesday as part of efforts to secure the hostage’s release.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the delegation has close ties to the Taliban authorities and that high-level talks are ongoing.
After the release, three other US detainees are expected to remain in Taliban custody.
The Trump administration recently warned the Taliban that failure to free all Americans would result in serious consequences. The United States has said Trump will not rest until all US citizens are released from Taliban prisons.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it does not recognise any new appointment by the Taliban to Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin, following reports that the group has designated a new representative to lead the mission.
The ministry said it would not accept any legal changes or new appointments at the embassy.
Earlier, Afghanistan International, citing Taliban Foreign Ministry documents, reported that the Taliban had dismissed Abdul Baqi Popal, the acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy in Germany.
German broadcaster ARD also reported that the Taliban had appointed one of its diplomats to head the embassy in Berlin.
According to Deutsche Welle, a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that a diplomat from Afghanistan’s former government should continue to manage the embassy.
The spokesperson added that any diplomat must receive Germany’s approval to be recognised as ambassador or chargé d’affaires, and that no such process had taken place in this case.
A letter from the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry had instructed Popal to hand over his duties before the end of his official term to Nebras-ul-Haq Aziz, a diplomat appointed by the Taliban.
Popal is expected to remain at the embassy in a local staff capacity, according to reports.
Diplomatic sources in Berlin told Afghanistan International that Germany’s Foreign Ministry had not been formally notified of the appointment.
According to available information, the Taliban continue to rely on Popal for official dealings with the host country, while internally he is treated as a local employee.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said maintaining consular services at Afghan diplomatic missions remains a priority. Berlin wants services such as visa and passport issuance to continue regularly and for embassy staff to be able to issue documents recognised by the Taliban authorities.
Currently, within the formal structure of Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin, a chargé d’affaires appointed before 2021 is recognised by the German government as the official point of contact, although in practice a Taliban-designated individual is managing the embassy.
Popal was appointed acting head of mission several months ago, replacing Yama Yari. He previously served as chargé d’affaires in Berlin and is originally from Panjwayi district in Kandahar province. Under the former Afghan government, he served as deputy director for local governance.
Germany does not recognise the Taliban administration as the official government of Afghanistan.
A document obtained by Afghanistan International shows Taliban authorities ordered the health ministry to hire a former US adviser to help secure international aid.
The document describes Abdullah Israel Arian’s experience with foreigners as notable.
It states that his appointment as an adviser to the health ministry aims to offset a sharp decline in foreign aid and build trust with international organisations to ensure assistance reaches those in need.
The letter, dated November 24, 2024, instructs the public health ministry to appoint Arian as an adviser responsible for oversight and coordination with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It notes that he previously worked as a civilian adviser to US forces at Camp Eagle and includes photographs of him with American personnel.
Afghanistan International has obtained these images, which show Arian alongside US forces.
The document also emphasises that employing individuals with experience working with international organisations is necessary to advance operations and attract aid.
Taliban sources told Afghanistan International that the office of Hibatullah Akhundzada and the group’s general intelligence directorate were also informed of Arian’s appointment.
According to confirmed information, Arian has accompanied the public health minister, Jalal Jalali, in official meetings and visits. A Taliban official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said efforts to recruit advisers with international backgrounds have increased following the reduction of US aid.
Nearly five years into Taliban rule, reports indicate that many skilled professionals have either left the country or remain unemployed inside Afghanistan.
At the same time, there have been reports of arrests and killings of some former security personnel.
The Taliban have also reduced their administrative structure by about 20 percent following the decline in foreign assistance.
Pakistan’s president said recent military operations against militant groups have produced significant results and warned that those supporting terrorism would be “eliminated”.
Asif Ali Zardari made the remarks Monday in a statement marking Pakistan Day, saying the country faces security challenges both internally and along its borders.
Zardari said Pakistan’s message to what he described as illegal groups operating from Afghanistan was clear, adding that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other groups would not be allowed to use Afghan territory to carry out attacks against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s military operation, known as “Ghazab-il-Haq”, had so far achieved notable results and stressed that the country would act decisively to secure its borders and populated areas.
The remarks come as a temporary ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan, brokered over Eid al-Fitr with mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, is due to expire.
Statements by Pakistani officials suggest that with the end of the ceasefire, the likelihood of renewed strikes inside Afghanistan may increase.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire even during the Eid period, with reports of Pakistani artillery shelling in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan.
A Chinese researcher said the Taliban are unwilling to fully meet Beijing’s demands regarding the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, highlighting ongoing security concerns in Afghanistan.
Liu Zongyi, director of the Centre of South Asian Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, made the remarks in an interview with Guancha after a recent visit to Afghanistan.
Liu said the East Turkestan Islamic Movement had pledged allegiance to the Taliban and maintained ties with the group. He said the Taliban were reluctant to act against the group due to factors including shared history, religious beliefs, tribal traditions and social ties.
He described security concerns, particularly those related to the group, as one of the most sensitive issues in China’s engagement with the Taliban.
Liu said Taliban officials claim the group is under their control but have not fully addressed China’s concerns.
He warned that several militant organisations remain active in Afghanistan, including the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army.
Liu said his visit to Kabul was at the invitation of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. During his four-day stay, he held multiple meetings with Taliban Foreign Ministry officials and others.
Taliban seek Chinese investment
Liu said Taliban officials repeatedly expressed hope for increased Chinese investment in Afghanistan.
He said the Taliban aim to use economic cooperation as a basis for normalising relations with China, Central Asia and other countries and regions.
He added that Taliban officials expressed willingness to establish normal diplomatic relations with any country willing to engage with them and said past grievances would not be pursued.
Drug cultivation continues
Liu said drug cultivation in Afghanistan continues despite Taliban claims to have curbed it.
He said Afghanistan’s economy currently relies mainly on agriculture, livestock and international aid.
While US and Western aid has declined significantly, support from the World Bank and the United Nations continues, with substantial funds reportedly reaching Kabul each month to sustain basic livelihoods.
Liu said Afghanistan’s economy has shown steady improvement since the Taliban returned to power but has not yet reached the levels seen before 2021.
Investment challenges
He said challenges including lack of funding, limited technology, international isolation and weak governance capacity continue to hinder Afghanistan’s economic stability.
Liu added that many countries remain reluctant to invest in Afghanistan, citing ongoing US financial sanctions as a key reason.
He said this makes foreign investment difficult and limits the ability to transfer profits, even when investment occurs.
He also said security concerns and the presence of militant groups remain major obstacles to improving the investment climate.
China’s limited financial support
Liu also recounted comments made by a Taliban Foreign Ministry official, who compared Chinese aid unfavourably with that provided by the United States and the European Union.
He said the Chinese side responded that Afghanistan’s current challenges were not caused by China and that its assistance is based on humanitarian considerations.
Liu did not name the official but said the remarks were not repeated after the response.
The report also cited Chinese observers familiar with the region as saying Afghan negotiators are highly skilled in persuasion and bargaining.
It added that despite nearly two decades of US involvement and about $2 trillion in spending, Afghanistan saw limited infrastructure development, including a lack of adequate roads.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia warned that militant groups operating from Afghanistan pose a growing threat not only to the region but also to Russia.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said groups such as the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan have found safe haven in the country and their activities threaten not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but also Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia.
In an interview with Izvestia, Tirmizi said Afghanistan has seen little but war for decades. He noted that the conflict has persisted throughout his lifetime and warned that terrorism and instability affect not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but also neighbouring countries and Russia.
He said economic, educational and cultural cooperation should be expanded, arguing that terrorism is not a viable path.
The ambassador said that after even limited retaliatory actions by Pakistan, militant groups tend to pause their activities temporarily before resuming attacks.
He added that Pakistan has now formally signalled that it has reached its limit.
Speaking about the prospects for a permanent ceasefire following a temporary truce with the Taliban, Tirmizi said all safe havens used by militant groups, including the Islamic State group and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, must be eliminated and Afghanistan must not be allowed to become a training ground for militants.
He also said Pakistan recognises Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but would take military action if the lives of its citizens were threatened.