Protests in Pakistan amidst Indian derogation of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Taliban’s Broken Promises: Time for a New U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan

SAT Editorial Desk November 9, 2025

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan has once again become a hub for militant activity despite their promises under the 2020 Doha Accord. UN and SIGAR reports reveal that Afghan soil now shelters TTP, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS-K operatives involved in cross-border attacks, particularly against Pakistan. The Taliban’s failure to uphold intra-Afghan dialogue, misuse of international aid, human rights abuses, and deception in regional agreements have eroded trust globally. With terror networks thriving under their protection, it is time for the U.S. and international community to adopt a new, accountable strategy toward Afghanistan’s Taliban regime.

Instability as Strategy: How India Benefits from the Afghan-Pakistan Breakdown

SAT Editorial Desk November 9, 2025

The escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban-led regime have reignited South Asia’s most volatile frontier. As cross-border attacks intensify and the Taliban refuses to dismantle the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamabad faces mounting security and sovereignty challenges. Yet, amid this chaos, India emerges as the silent beneficiary, leveraging regional instability to weaken Pakistan strategically while maintaining its image as a victim of terrorism. This calculated exploitation threatens to entrench South Asia in a new cycle of proxy conflict.

Five years after the Doha Accord, the Taliban break commitments, harbor terrorists, exclude women and minorities, and defy international agreements.

Broken Promises, Renewed Threats: Time to Hold TTA Accountable

SAT Editorial Desk November 8, 2025

Five years after the Doha Accord, the Taliban have broken key commitments: 5,000 released prisoners returned to combat, 89% of government posts are held by Pashtuns, and women remain barred from education and work. Afghan soil hosts 6,000–6,500 TTP and Al-Qaeda fighters, with TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud receiving $43,000/month. Pakistan has neutralized 267 Afghan terrorists in 2025, while 58 terrorist camps operate under Taliban knowledge. Despite the US aid, compliance is minimal. International recognition and support must now be tied to verifiable reforms to prevent further regional instability.

The Istanbul Dialogue: How the Taliban’s Intransigence Doomed Diplomacy

SAT Editorial Desk November 7, 2025

The highly anticipated Istanbul dialogue, facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, has ended in deadlock. The Taliban’s refusal to act against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and their introduction of provocative counter-demands have effectively derailed the diplomatic process, underscoring the ideological rigidity driving Kabul’s foreign policy.

Centralized Power and the Core–Periphery Divide in Afghanistan

SAT Editorial Desk November 7, 2025

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s return in 2021 brought rapid consolidation of power, but also the revival of a historical flaw. By concentrating authority in the hands of southern Pashtun elites, the Taliban have recreated the core–periphery divide that has destabilized every Afghan regime since the 19th century. This hyper-centralization, rooted in ethnic exclusivity and Kandahar dominance, risks a repeat of past collapses as non-Pashtun regions turn toward functional autonomy.

South Asia Times