All articles - Afghanistan

Spotlight
Academic review serves as cover for CCP investment in Afghanistan

As it battles for security guarantees in return for greater recognition of the Taliban regime, the Chinese Communist Party has chosen an unusual strategy to further its interests in Kabul.

New Chinese ambassador to Kabul lands strong security brief

The recent appointment of a new Chinese ambassador to Kabul marks a first step towards Beijing's official recognition of the Taliban regime. But China has demanded firm security guarantees in exchange for this support.

Metallurgical Corporation of China changes its strategy in Afghanistan

The Chinese Communist Party has called on its business lobbyists in Kabul to get the Taliban government to take action to protect mining and energy production sites. In return, it is ready to offer fresh investment.

Well established consultants help Chinese industrialists to obtain Afghan lithium mining rights

With an agreement due to be signed on lithium mining in southern Afghanistan, Chinatown Kabul consultant Yu Minghui is looking for other opportunities for Chinese entrepreneurs from his office in the Afghan capital.

Wang Duanyong, the academic testing the waters for China in Afghanistan

The consultant turned researcher who heads China's Overseas Interests Studies Centre at the prestigious Shanghai International Studies University, assists Chinese companies with their investment plans in Kabul.

Spotlight
The unassuming Kabul guest house at the heart of China's Afghan business networks

The recently signed deal between a Chinese mining group and the Taliban authorities was made possible by the existence of a Chinese political and commercial network in Kabul, with, at its heart, a guest house for visiting Chinese business people.

The Intelligence Gazette
Syrian chemical programme, UK's Economic Crime Committee, Swedish StratCom at NATO, Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Skopje and NATO, PLA in Taiwan

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Stockholm, via Kabul and Skopje.

France/SyriaFrench company Smart Pegasus remains under sanctions for participating in Syrian chemical weapons program.

United KingdomOpposition MP's push parliamentary Economic Crime Committee project.

Sweden/LatviaSwedish anti-fake news agency shines at NATO's StratCom.

Pakistan/AfghanistanISI investigates attempted assassination of Pakistani ambassador in Kabul.

North MacedoniaSkopje intelligence chief learns the rope at NATO.

ChinaPeople's Liberation Army tests modern urban warfare techniques to hone Taiwan strategy.

The Intelligence Gazette
CIA's HR woes, Hamas and Taliban in Istanbul, Tbilisi's oligarchs, France's DPR, China worries Russia, repatriated Afghans

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Istanbul, Washington, Paris, Moscow, Kabul and Tbilisi.

United States CIA experimenting to solve HR crisis

Turkey/Palestine/Afghanistan Istanbul hosts Hamas-Taliban rapprochement

Georgia Tbilisi looks into its oligarchs

France DPR still not entitled to know about operations in progress

Russia Moscow's foreign affairs ministry reassesses view of China

Afghanistan/Europe Europe's greater numbers of repatriated Afghans

Saudi spymaster Khaled bin Ali Al Humaidan mediates between Islamabad and Kabul

Keen to resolve tensions with its Taliban neighbours, Pakistan has called on Saudi Arabia's help to mediate but those efforts have been unsuccessful for the moment.

The Intelligence Gazette
CIA and Taliban, UK geospatial intel, Russian control centre in Ukraine, Serbian BIA

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Doha, Baghdad, London and Moscow.

United States/AfghanistanIslamabad and Doha aid CIA-Taliban meeting.

United KingdomIntelligence issues in British space strategy.

RussiaIntelligence services at heart of new Ukraine coordination council.

SerbiaVucic blends geopolitics with internal security.

Opcit Research to serve as UN terrorism look-out in Afghanistan

With high-level diplomatic meetings in full swing in Central Asia, and Afghanistan one of the main subjects of discussion, the UN has called in one of its regular contractors to help it gain a better understanding of the area.

French foreign ministry puts Afghanistan on hold

The French foreign ministry's team responsible for Afghanistan has been dismantled. For the moment no one has been appointed to replace outgoing ambassador David Martinon.