Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.
I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.
The Key Issue
The United States has scrapped the post of special representative to Afghanistan.
Tom West, who held the position since October 2021, will not be replaced. The career diplomat has been given a new role in the State Department.
West was appointed just months after the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and the Taliban's seizure of power.
West was seen as central to U.S. efforts to prevent a famine in Afghanistan and stabilize the freefalling Afghan economy after 2021.
U.S. policy on Afghanistan will now be overseen by U.S. Charge d'Affaires for Afghanistan Karen Decker; Rina Amiri, the U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim.
Why It's Important: There are concerns that the United States' decision to scrap the post of special Afghan envoy signals Washington's increasing disengagement from Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an October 1 statement that the "commitment to Afghanistan remains an enduring priority."
"Washington has not named a successor, but the U.S. continues to engage with Afghanistan," said Graeme Smith, a senior Afghanistan analyst at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.
Smith said Washington's disengagement from Afghanistan would undermine "international consensus in favor of peace."
In the 1990s, Afghanistan descended into a civil war with foreign powers arming rival groups.
What's Next: Afghanistan no longer appears to be a U.S. foreign policy priority.
Washington is likely to continue to contribute to efforts to ease the devastating humanitarian crisis gripping the country as well as preventing Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups.
What To Keep An Eye On
In a new report, the Afghanistan Analyst Network (AAN) think tank has revealed the significant problems facing the over 700,000 Afghan refugees and migrants deported from neighboring Pakistan in recent years.
The report, based on interviews with returnees, said many are struggling to find shelter, work, and schooling.
The report said many were deported "with little or no time to prepare, mostly unable to bring assets with them and not having a home or job to come back to."
Why It's Important: The deportation of Afghans from Pakistan and neighboring Iran has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the world's largest.
The Taliban's cash-strapped government has been unable or unwilling to support the returnees. Meanwhile, donor countries have slashed their humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in recent years.
That's all from me for now.
Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org
Until next time,
Abubakar Siddique
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