Afghanistan signed a $200 million, 25-year contract with Saudi company Delta International Energy to explore and extract oil and gas from seven blocks in the 22,000-square-kilometer Kushk-Tirpul basin in Herat and Badghis. The exploration phase will last eight years. Mines and Petroleum Minister Hedayatullah Badri said extraction could help make Afghanistan self-sufficient, while former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and analyst Sami Wahidi presented the investment as a sign of commercial potential and a possible boost to morale and the country’s regional role. The deal comes amid unemployment and poverty following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Pakistani drone and aircraft strikes in eastern Afghanistan killed at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, according to Afghan authorities and UNAMA. The account focuses on three children killed in a strike that destroyed a family home in Paktika and describes the devastation and trauma left behind. Pakistan says its operations target TTP militant infrastructure and claims to have killed 26 militants; the Taliban government calls the strikes violations of Afghan sovereignty. The piece argues that the attacks have largely hit civilian sites, done little to weaken the TTP, and fueled anger and retaliation. Talks hosted by China yielded no lasting agreement, while disputes over the border, militant sanctuaries, and mutual distrust remain unresolved.

Pakistani airstrikes have expanded from Afghanistan’s border areas to Kabul and other cities, killing civilians, displacing tens of thousands and culminating in a devastating attack on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center. Pakistan says it is targeting militants, while the Taliban has retaliated along the disputed Durand Line. The border dispute and cross-border militancy underpin the conflict, which has prompted unusually broad Afghan solidarity across political and ethnic lines. The strikes have raised fears of wider regional insecurity, while the account warns that airpower and retaliatory violence are unlikely to resolve the underlying tensions.

Afghanistan reaffirmed its commitment to preventing cross-border attacks amid renewed tensions with Pakistan following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire along the border. A fatwa issued by Afghan clerics, supported by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, emphasized that Afghan soil must not be used to harm other countries. Pakistan has long accused Kabul of enabling TTP militants, a claim Afghanistan denies. Analysts differ on the decree’s impact, with some calling it significant and others asserting that Pakistan’s internal issues are the real obstacle to progress in negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye. The move is seen as an attempt by Kabul to ease pressure and demonstrate control over its territory while signaling willingness to continue diplomatic engagement.

Afghanistan reiterated its commitment to preventing cross-border militancy amid renewed tensions with Pakistan following deadly clashes along the border. The Taliban government highlighted a new religious decree from Afghan clerics prohibiting participation in foreign jihad as evidence of its intention to prevent Afghan soil from being used for attacks. Pakistan, which blames the TTP for cross‑border violence, views the decree as a potentially significant step, though Afghan analysts argue it will not resolve the internal security issues driving Pakistan’s concerns or the stalled negotiations. The collapse of previous talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye underscores the continuing divide over how to address the TTP threat.

Bangladesh scheduled national elections for February 12, the first vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that removed longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus will oversee the process, which includes both parliamentary elections and a referendum on political reforms. Hasina, accused of human rights abuses and election rigging, was convicted and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity following the deadly crackdown on protestors in 2024. The Awami League has been barred from political activity, prompting uncertainty regarding its 40 million supporters. Analysts expect other political parties to ensure a participatory and fair election. With more than 127 million eligible voters, the election marks a significant transition toward a new political trajectory in Bangladesh, with growing youth engagement and expectations for improved democratic governance.

Afghan clerics issued a religious decree prohibiting the use of Afghan territory for attacks on other countries and declaring national defense a religious obligation, a move widely interpreted as signaling the Taliban’s stance amid renewed border clashes with Pakistan. The ruling reiterates that foreign interference must be prevented and frames defense against external aggression as sacred jihad. The decree follows deadly cross-border exchanges and comes as negotiations between the two countries stagnate. Pakistani officials view the resolution as a step toward reconciliation, while analysts note it largely restates previous Taliban positions and is unlikely to alter tensions shaped by ongoing accusations over militant activity along the border.

Afghan religious scholars issued a decree declaring national defense a religious obligation and prohibiting the use of Afghan territory for attacks on other countries, reinforcing the Taliban’s position amid renewed border clashes with Pakistan. The ruling signals resistance to foreign interference and is interpreted by some observers as a message urging reconciliation. Tensions along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border have increased, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of tolerating TTP militants, an allegation Afghanistan denies. Analysts suggest the decree reiterates existing Taliban policy and is unlikely to significantly alter the dynamics of cross‑border militancy.

Border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces erupted overnight near the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing, breaking a fragile ceasefire established in October. Each side blamed the other for initiating the violence, which resulted in civilian casualties and forced local families to flee. The renewed fighting led Pakistan to close the key border crossing, disrupting trade and medical travel. Despite earlier truce efforts brokered by Qatar and Turkey, progress toward a lasting agreement has stalled, with both sides divided over security demands. Analysts highlight that Pakistan’s expectations regarding Taliban control over security are unrealistic, contributing to ongoing instability along the Durand Line.

The article explores the aftermath of the Kabul airport bombing, focusing on the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, an alleged mastermind, and its use as a diplomatic tool by the U.S. and Pakistan. It highlights the complexities of foreign interventions in Afghanistan, the Taliban's role in combating ISKP, and the political motivations behind Sharifullah's extradition. The narrative questions the accountability and strategic timing of events, suggesting political convenience over genuine justice, while ordinary Afghans continue to suffer amidst ongoing instability and violence.