Taliban’s Suhail Shaheen Responds to CENTCOM’s Security Claims on Afghanistan

Following the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) statement that Afghanistan remains a focal point of Washington’s counter-terrorism efforts, Suhail Shaheen, acting head of the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, asserted that security has been established throughout Afghanistan. He emphasized that since the Taliban’s return to power, people are living under ‘normal’ conditions.

Previously, CENTCOM had identified Afghanistan as a significant component of U.S. security calculations, citing potential threats from extremist groups. This stance indicates that, despite several years passing since the political shift in Kabul, international security concerns persist.

Conversely, Taliban officials have consistently maintained that no threats emanate from Afghan soil toward other countries. However, the lack of transparent monitoring mechanisms and restricted access for media and independent organizations have made impartial assessments of the country’s security situation challenging.

Experts believe that the continuation of such contradictory positions between Washington and the Taliban administration highlights a deep divide in their perceptions of Afghanistan’s security landscape — a gap that could influence future relations and political engagements.