A US Defence Department report released on Wednesday assessed that the Russian government was working with the Taliban to “expedite US military withdrawal” from Afghanistan.
The report, titled Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, said Russia and Iran were working with the Taliban, which was working with Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (Aqis) "to undermine the Afghan government".
“As of February, the Russian government was working with the central government, regional countries and the Taliban to gain increased influence in Afghanistan, expedite a US military withdrawal and address security challenges that might arise from a withdrawal,” the report read.
On February 29, the government of US President Donald Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban including conditional withdrawal of US troops if the group abandoned violence.
But with claims emerging last week of Russian operatives paying Taliban militants to attack US troops, the Pentagon has told of the growing connection between Moscow and the group.
“Russia has politically supported the Taliban to cultivate influence with the group, limit the western military presence and encourage counter-ISIS operations, although Russia publicly denies their involvement,” it said.
The report says Iran has also provided “calibrated support” for the Taliban.
“During the past year, Iran increased its outreach to both the Taliban political commission and the Afghan government to increase its role in the reconciliation process and secure Iranian interests in an agreement.”
But even with the US-Taliban deal, the Pentagon report casts doubt on the group’s commitment to ending violence and completely cutting ties with Al Qaeda in the region.
“The Taliban and Haqqani Network very likely maintain the capability to conduct explosive and other offensive operations against Afghan and coalition forces,” the report said.
“The Taliban has reduced violence against coalition forces but has continued its offensive operations against the ANDSF [Afghan National Defence and Security Forces] and Afghan government officials.
“Aqis routinely supports and works with low-level Taliban members in its efforts to undermine the Afghan government, and maintains an enduring interest in attacking US forces and western targets in the region.
“Additionally, Aqis assists local Taliban in some attacks, according to Al Qaeda statements."
The report said Al Qaeda faces continuous coalition counter-terrorism pressure "and will focus on ensuring its safe haven remains viable".
There has been increasing pressure on the US government to respond to claims that Russia has paid Taliban militants cash bounties to attack US troops in Afghanistan.
House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff is now calling for sanctions.
“We should be considering what sanctions are appropriate to further deter Russia’s malign activities,” Mr Schiff said on Tuesday.
The White House continued to deny that Mr Trump was briefed on the matter in 2019 and last February, as reported by The New York Times.
US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban officials in Qatar this week, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a video conference with Taliban deputy and chief negotiator Mullah Baradar on Monday.
The secretary made clear the expectation for the Taliban to live up to their commitments, which include no attacks, the State Department said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Australia squads
ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
