Tag: afghanistan
12 articles
Women's Influence Lags Behind Inclusion in Security Institutions
These Afghan policewomen weren't just fighting for protection - they were fighting for a seat at the decision-making table, where their voices could shape the security and future of their country. Despite the risks, they showed up to work, often in civilian clothes to avoid harassment, and led with courage and conviction.
Australia's Afghan Legacy: Unresolved Debts and Unfinished Business
For over two decades, 39,000 Australian Defence Force members served bravely in Afghanistan, working alongside diplomats, police, aid workers, and civil officials to build a better future. Their remarkable journey began in 2001 with a special forces task group and ended with the closure of the Australian embassy in 2021.
Afghan Taliban Escalates Drone War Against Pakistan
Pakistan's air defenses went into overdrive on September 23, successfully taking down eight drones that had crossed into its airspace from Afghanistan. The incident sparked a fierce response from Islamabad, which launched strikes on 10 Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan.
Pakistan Intensifies Cross-Border Strikes with Loitering Munitions in Afghanistan
Pakistan launched a series of intense cross-border strikes with loitering munitions into Afghanistan, targeting 10 sites across Khost, Paktia, and Kandahar provinces in a sudden escalation of violence. The strikes, which Pakistan claims hit identified military objectives, have resulted in conflicting reports of civilian casualties.
Transparent Tribe Exploits GitHub for Rust Backdoor Deployment
Meet RUSTYSHADE, a sneaky Rust-based backdoor that's being used by Transparent Tribe to target government and defense organizations in India and Afghanistan, leveraging private GitHub repositories for covert communication. This latest tactic is part of a broader campaign, dubbed Operation RapidRust, aimed at infiltrating sensitive targets.
Al-Qaida Evolves, Adapts 25 Years After 9/11
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Al-Qaida is a shadow of its former self, with its core operations severely diminished and a leadership crisis unfolding. The group's operational reach has been crippled, and its top leaders have been decimated by US drone strikes, leaving only a handful of senior figures remaining.
Mirage Kitten Unveils Node.js Malware Targeting Aviation, FinTech
Kaspersky's threat research uncovered a sneaky Node.js malware campaign targeting aviation and FinTech organizations in the Middle East and Africa, with victims initially tricked by fake job offers on LinkedIn. The malware, known as NodeRabbit, was delivered through cleverly disguised coding-challenge archives.
Australia Urges ICJ to Hold Taliban Accountable for Women's Rights Abuses
Since the Taliban's rise to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, over 100 edicts have been issued, systematically stripping away the rights of women and girls. The latest decree, "Code on Judicial Separation of Spouses," has sparked outrage, allowing a girl's silence to be misconstrued as consent to marry and further restricting women's right to divorce.
Pakistan Launches Cross-Border Strikes into Afghanistan
Pakistan has launched a bold move, carrying out cross-border strikes into Afghanistan, killing 29 militants in a two-part operation that underscores its commitment to prioritizing citizen safety above all else. The daring action, which included a ground raid and precision air strikes, targeted high-value targets and destroyed enemy strongholds.
Taliban Deploys Elite Force Along Durand Line
The Taliban has assembled a powerful 4,000-member force, known as the Hebati Unit, to bolster its presence along the Durand Line, with its headquarters strategically located at Kandahar International Airport. This elite unit is poised to play a key role in the group's operations on Afghanistan's side of the border.
Russia's Taliban Air Defence Pact Poses Proliferation Risk to Pakistan
Russia is taking its relationship with the Taliban to the next level, with a new military deal that could have significant implications for regional security, particularly in neighboring Pakistan. The pact, which includes cooperation on air defence equipment, marks a major step towards a full-fledged partnership between Moscow and Kabul.
SideCopy Targets Afghan Finance Ministry with Xeno RAT Malware
Seqrite Labs researchers uncovered a sneaky malware attack, dubbed Operation XENOFISCAL, where the Pakistan-aligned SideCopy group targeted Afghanistan's Ministry of Finance and government officials with a cleverly crafted phishing lure written in Pashto. The attack used Xeno RAT Malware, delivered through a ZIP archive with a malicious LNK file, to infiltrate its targets.