The donors’ conference for Afghanistan began on Thursday, October 3rd, hosted by the United Nations in Dubai.

At this conference, both domestic and international organizations, along with political representatives from various countries, are discussing aid to Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban control and facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Participants discussed ways to provide aid to Afghanistan, exchanging views on the best approaches and reaffirming their commitment to continue offering humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan.

They reviewed monitoring mechanisms and emphasized the importance of transparency in delivering aid to ensure it reaches those in need.

Participants also expressed that Afghanistan remains at the center of the strategies of donor organizations and countries.

However, they stressed that “it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to create conditions where Afghans can sustain themselves through employment, rather than relying continuously on international aid.”

The conference also addressed the challenges posed by the Taliban’s new restrictions under the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law. This law has imposed severe limitations, particularly against women. Under this law, women cannot leave their homes without a male guardian, and their voices are considered indecent in public spaces.

According to a United Nations report, Afghanistan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. At least 23 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. However, there are concerns about the reduction of these aid efforts.

Some countries and international organizations have also expressed concerns that the Taliban may misuse humanitarian aid for other purposes.

Karen Decker, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, who attended the donors’ conference, told the media that since the fall of the Afghan Republic, the United States has provided $2.3 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Ms. Decker also mentioned that the results of the work conducted by two economic and narcotics groups from the “Doha 3” discussions would soon be reviewed by the United Nations, and the next major Doha meeting will also take place.

The donors’ conference highlights both the urgency and complexity of providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. While there is a commitment to helping millions of Afghans in need, concerns about transparency and the Taliban’s restrictions, especially on women’s rights, continue to challenge the international community’s efforts.

The call for a long-term solution emphasizes that Afghanistan’s future should not rely solely on aid. Sustainable employment and self-sufficiency must be at the core of any strategy to help the Afghanistan’s people build a better future.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has stated that there is no consensus on whether the Taliban officials will participate in the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan.

According to the TASS news agency, Rudenko explained to reporters that invitations to the summit are made based on the consensus of BRICS members.

He also mentioned that the Taliban’s unrecognized status poses a challenge, which will be considered when deciding its participation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in  Kabul has officially requested to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan.

The summit will begin on October 22 and last until October 24, 2024.

Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti, reported that the Taliban sent a letter to Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, requesting participation in the BRICS summit in Kazan. Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister, expressed interest in attending the summit.

BRICS members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year, the group expanded to include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia.

Despite being on Russia’s blacklist, the Taliban maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, is in Moscow for an Afghanistan meeting on October 4 under the Moscow Format.

The Taliban’s diplomatic engagement with Russia highlights their efforts to gain international recognition despite being officially unrecognized by the global community.

The former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army acknowledged the mistakes made during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, admitting that political and strategic failures marked it.

Mark Milley stated that the 20 years spent by the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan were a valuable opportunity, but in the end, the Taliban took control of the country.

On Wednesday, during a session at Princeton College, General Milley commented on the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan: “In my opinion, those 20 years were long and significant, but ultimately, the Taliban occupied the capital and seized the entire country.”

He acknowledged the political and strategic shortcomings during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, “Our experiences in Afghanistan offer many lessons.” Milley added that it will take years for historians to fully extract and analyze these lessons and other critical insights.

He pointed out flaws in the Doha agreement and noted that the U.S. forces’ lack of proficiency in local languages was another significant weakness, which the Taliban exploited in rural areas. He said, “The U.S. didn’t fully understand what was happening on the ground.”

The withdrawal from Afghanistan has left lasting consequences on U.S. foreign policy, raising debates about the future of American military interventions. The U.S. is now reflecting on its broader strategy to avoid repeating similar failures in other conflict zones.

Thomas West, announcing his resignation as Washington’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. West mentioned that the “resilience and courage” of Afghans have given him hope for the country’s future.

A few hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that West had been appointed as the acting head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.

Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan’s women, and another official will now take over West’s duties.

It remains unclear whether the U.S. government will appoint a new special envoy to replace West or if the politically driven role will be eliminated.

West wrote that he “led U.S. diplomacy toward Afghanistan during a very challenging period” and reflected positively on his accomplishments over the past three years.

West has faced many critics, primarily due to his approach toward the Taliban. He was known for distancing himself from anti-Taliban groups and maintaining a softer tone in his dealings with the Taliban.

West stated that the “resilience and courage of countless Afghan journalists and human rights activists” have been a source of hope for him.

During his tenure, West made several trips to neighboring countries but was unsuccessful in convincing those nations to use their influence to change the Taliban’s policies and behavior.

Thomas West’s departure leaves questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy towards Afghanistan. The ongoing challenges in engaging with the Taliban and securing meaningful change in the region highlight the difficulties in shaping Afghanistan’s political landscape post-West.

Whether a new envoy will be appointed remains to be seen, but the need for continued support for Afghanistan’s civil society and human rights remains paramount.

The U.S. State Department spokesperson has stated that Afghanistan remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Matthew Miller mentioned that Afghanistan-related matters are being handled by the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, the U.S. Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, and the U.S. State Department.

On Tuesday, October 1, during a press briefing, Miller was asked if Afghanistan continues to be a priority for U.S. foreign policy, to which he replied, “Of course, it is.”

Matthew Miller added that currently, Karen Decker, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, and Mark Pommersheim at the U.S. State Department are leading efforts on issues related to Afghanistan.

These statements come as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, will be stepping down from his role.

According to Blinken, Thomas West will now become the head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.

In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State praised Thomas West for his contributions over the past four years, noting that he effectively implemented U.S. policies regarding Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis under the current regime’s suppressive policies. The Taliban has banned education for girls beyond the sixth grade and restricted employment opportunities for women, leaving many families in poverty and despair.

The international community has expressed deep concern over these regressive measures, which have worsened living conditions for Afghan women and children. With limited access to education and employment, the country’s long-term development prospects remain bleak, and humanitarian aid is urgently needed to address these critical challenges.