American Expert:

Elaha Wed Mar 2026 6 months ago 803

Michael Kugelman, a senior American researcher, has described the recent wave of Washington's pressure on the Taliban in Afghanistan as "surprising," suggesting that the escalating tensions may be connected to regional developments.

The pressure intensified after the U.S. State Department announced that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan had been placed on its list of countries that wrongfully detain American citizens.

Adam Boehler, the U.S. President's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, warned that the Taliban should not test Washington's resolve and must release American citizens. This marks the first time a senior American official has threatened the Taliban with military action in this context.

Currently, Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and one other American citizen are being held in Taliban custody, though the Taliban continues to deny detaining Mahmoud Habibi. Previously, negotiations between the United States and the Taliban had resulted in the release of a number of prisoners — which, according to Kugelman, makes the sudden escalation of pressure all the more surprising.

Kugelman noted that these tensions may be linked to rapidly unfolding regional developments, including U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as Pakistan's tensions with the Taliban along Afghanistan's borders. The United States has backed Pakistan's stance against the Taliban, while the Taliban has declared its support for the Islamic Republic in opposition to Washington.

Washington's Pressure on the Taliban Is Linked to Regional Developments

Farzana Ahmadi

Maybe you are interested

    Comments

Leave a Reply

About Us

Address 2933 41k St
London, UK

Contact
+1 (825) 973-2079
[email protected]

News Letter

Latest Tweet

Popular Categories

Education Sport War Afghanistan Agriculture World Women USA Election