Afghanistan

• Afghanistan has reportedly fired drones into Pakistan, escalating a recurring cycle of cross-border strikes between the two nations. • Research analyst Ricardo Alvarez notes that this pattern of instability and mutual aggression has solidified over several years, leaving diplomatic ties in tatters. • The situation highlights the ongoing security volatility in South and Central Asia, where armed rebellions and border disputes continue to destabilize the region.

• Taliban forces from Afghanistan launched airstrikes on Wednesday targeting ISIS positions along the border in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. • The attacks resulted in several injuries, marking a significant escalation in cross-border military activity. • These strikes follow a pattern of retaliatory violence, occurring just days after Pakistan conducted its own airstrikes within Afghan territory.

• The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has identified Afghanistan as one of the world's most neglected humanitarian crises of the year. • Funding for aid programs has fallen sharply despite a simultaneous increase in the needs of the Afghan population. • This funding gap threatens the delivery of essential services and life-saving assistance to millions of vulnerable people.

• The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan launched airstrikes against ISIS militant facilities in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. • These operations targeted sites used for planning assaults and occurred shortly after Pakistan conducted its own cross-border airstrikes. • Pakistan has condemned the actions, claiming to have intercepted drones and accusing the Taliban of misleading Afghan citizens.

• Pakistan launched airstrikes into Afghanistan, resulting in a death toll that varies by source: the Taliban reports 36 civilians killed, while Pakistan claims 32 militants were neutralized. • The incident marks a significant escalation in a monthslong conflict between the two neighboring nations over border security and militant activity. • This clash underscores the volatile relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government, highlighting deep disputes over territorial control and counter-terrorism efforts.

• At least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured during airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar provinces on Sunday evening. • The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is currently verifying the incidents and urging all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. • UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities on Monday, emphasizing the need to protect civilians.

The attacks on Monday were the latest flare-up of violence between the two countries, which fought a weeks-long war in FebruaryPakistan has said at least 25 people were killed in airstrikes it launched targeting militants in eastern Afghanistan, as the Afghan government reported dozens of civilian casualties.Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the operations were aimed at a group that it blames for a deadly weekend attack in Karachi, although Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied their territory harbours militants. Continue reading...

• Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis following the Taliban's return to power in 2021 and the subsequent withdrawal of international development assistance. • Essential public services, which had become heavily dependent on external support due to years of conflict and state fragility, have largely collapsed. • Humanitarian organizations are struggling to fill the resulting gap in service delivery while simultaneously facing a decline in their own financial resources.

• The Taliban's autocracy is being sustained through economic and political lifelines provided by international bodies, including the United Nations, which have compromised human rights standards. • Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by gender apartheid and systemic rights violations. • This crisis persists not merely due to a lack of political will, but because of active geopolitical mechanisms and fragmented international interests that normalize the regime's actions.

• Afghanistan is facing a dire economic crisis nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power. • The collapse is driven by a combination of deep-rooted domestic structural failures and persistent regional geopolitical constraints. • This instability highlights the Taliban's inability to establish a functioning financial system or secure broad international legitimacy.

• India successfully chased down Afghanistan's target of 194 in the 1st ODI of the 2026 Afghanistan tour of India. • Shubman Gill led the charge with a dominant 84 off 66 balls, supported by KL Rahul who contributed 39 runs from 19 deliveries. • India reached 195/3 in 22.5 overs, securing a comprehensive victory and a strong start to the series.

Gen Christopher Donahue, commander of forces in Europe and Africa, is leaving after just 18 months in the jobThe army’s commander of its forces in Europe and Africa – who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 – is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday.Gen Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa and commander of Nato’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish his command on 2 July, according to an army statement provided to the Associated Press. He is the latest in a line of nearly two dozen top military leaders to either retire or depart their jobs early under the leadership of the defense secretary Pete Hegseth, who has undertaken an effort to thin the ranks of the military’s top brass with the mantra “less generals, more GIs”. Continue reading...

• India secured a victory against Afghanistan in the 1st ODI of the 2026 tour, reaching 195/3 in 22.5 overs. • Afghanistan was bowled out for 194, with India's chase led by Shubman Gill, who scored 84 off 66 balls, and KL Rahul, who added 39 off 19. • The result gives India a 1-0 lead in the series, demonstrating a dominant batting performance to chase the target quickly.

• India is currently dominating the 3rd ODI against Afghanistan during the 2026 tour, reaching 224/1 in 28.4 overs. • Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a commanding century, scoring 110 runs off 86 balls, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 20 runs. • The strong performance puts India in a winning position after Afghanistan was bowled out for 218 runs.

• Afghanistan has launched strikes against targets located within Pakistan, significantly escalating cross-border tensions between the two nations. • The attacks represent a direct threat to the fragile ceasefire currently in place, marking a volatile shift in diplomatic relations. • This escalation highlights the ongoing instability and security challenges persisting in the region under the current administration.

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Monday that malnutrition has worsened across much of Afghanistan, with conditions deteriorating in 26 provinces. • The situation has reached critical levels in 12 provinces, highlighting a severe decline in nutritional stability compared to 2025. • This escalation underscores Afghanistan's ongoing status as one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, threatening the health and survival of vulnerable populations.

Taliban forces fire on crowds in Herat, who were protesting at manhandling of women arrested over hijab dress codeA Taliban crackdown on women’s dress code in Afghanistan has escalated into a rare mass street protest in the western province of Herat, with at least two people killed by security forces.Officials made a wave of arrests in recent days targeting women and young girls accused of “improper hijab”. Residents say many families had received no information about the whereabouts or condition of those detained. Continue reading...

• India and Afghanistan are facing off in the 1st ODI of Afghanistan's 2026 tour of India. • The match is being broadcast and tracked via Cricbuzz, providing live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and video highlights for viewers in the USA and Canada. • This series marks a significant international encounter between the two nations, testing Afghanistan's growth against a powerhouse Indian side.

• A geopolitical crisis in the Middle East that began on February 28 has evolved into a global food security emergency, causing rising hunger in Africa and medical shortages in Afghanistan. • Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled roughly 20% of global oil shipments, have spiked crude oil prices and increased transport and supply chain costs. • The crisis has left hundreds of vessels and tens of thousands of seafarers stranded, creating a broad economic shock.

• India and Afghanistan are scheduled to compete in a one-off Test match as part of Afghanistan's tour of India in 2026. • The event will be available for fans in the USA and Canada via Cricbuzz, featuring live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and video highlights. • This match is significant as it continues the growth of Test cricket in Afghanistan and strengthens bilateral sporting ties between the two nations.

• Families in Gaza living near the Israeli military-controlled "Yellow Line" have reported to the UN that they face constant fear of injury or death. • The UN chief praised the outgoing leadership of the World Food Programme (WFP) for making the agency leaner and more agile in responding to global crises. • Under this tenure, the WFP reached nearly 100 million people annually through life-saving operations and expanded critical funding and partnerships.

• The Taliban administration has officially welcomed China's expanded role in managing Afghanistan-related discussions and draft resolutions at the United Nations. • This diplomatic shift indicates a growing reliance on Beijing to mediate Afghanistan's international standing and navigate complex UN processes. • The move is significant as it signals a strategic pivot toward China for legitimacy and political support amidst ongoing global isolation.

Truck was carrying Afghan families returning Pakistan when it overturned, official saysA truck overturned in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing 18 people on board including 10 children, a provincial official told Agence France-Presse.Deadly traffic crashes are common in Afghanistan, due in part to poor roads after decades of conflict, dangerous driving and a lack of regulation. Continue reading...

• Pakistan and Afghanistan remain locked in deadly border clashes in 2026, with Islamabad blaming the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for ongoing attacks. • The Taliban government in Kabul has countered these claims by accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes and orchestrating the mass expulsion of refugees. • The conflict has triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, further destabilizing the border areas.

Pakistan officials dismiss Afghan media reports and official statements about strikes on university in Kunar province as ‘blatant lie’Mortars and missiles fired from Pakistan on Monday struck a university and civilian homes in north-eastern Afghanistan, killing seven people and wounding at least 85, Afghan officials said.Pakistan denied the accusation of targeting a university. Continue reading...

• The Taliban government announced restrictions on international health NGOs operating in Afghanistan on Monday, citing concerns over 'political interference' and threatening revocation of licenses for non-compliant organizations. • Medical organizations warned that the restrictions would devastate maternal and pediatric health services, particularly in rural areas where international agencies provide 70 percent of healthcare capacity. • The U.S. State Department condemned the move as undermining humanitarian efforts and expressed concern for vulnerable populations, with officials exploring alternative delivery mechanisms for critical medical assistance.

Roberts-Smith previously failed in his attempt to sue three newspapers which published allegations he committed war crimesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, recipient of the Victoria Cross, has been arrested at Sydney airport in relation to alleged war crimes.Roberts-Smith was due to face court in Sydney on Tuesday. He has previously been accused in a defamation suit of murdering unarmed civilians while serving in the Australian SAS in Afghanistan. Continue reading...

Afghan government reports zero casualties and accuses neighbouring country of wanting to ‘fuel the fire of war’Pakistan has targeted militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province overnight, as the fighting that erupted between the two neighbours late last month showed no signs of abating.The cross-border attacks, which have included Pakistani airstrikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul, is the deadliest yet between the countries. Islamabad has referred to the conflict as an “open war”, adding to concerns about regional stability as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran engulfs the Middle East and beyond. Continue reading...