South & Central Asia
VOA provides complete coverage of South and Central Asia.
Afghans Confused Over Status in US
Thousands of Afghans, after undergoing traumatic experiences leaving their home country, are relieved to be safe in the United States. But many find the U.S. immigration system confusing and hard to decipher on their own. VOA's Carolyn Presutti takes a look at how evacuees are coping with starting the next…
Experts: China, Pakistan Offering Support to Taliban Leaders
With the U.S. out of Afghanistan after 20 years, some experts say China and Pakistan are stepping in to provide both immediate support and the prospect of long-term investment for the Taliban acting government in Kabul. VOA's senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine reports on what this could mean for the…
Afghans Find Themselves Unable to Work or Attend School in US
After undergoing the traumatic experience of leaving their home country, thousands of Afghans are relieved to be in the United States. Many are finding, however, that they have been granted temporary status, forbidding them to work or attend school. VOA's Carolyn Presutti takes a look at how evacuees are coping with the lack of benefits and opportunity in a foreign country.Camera: Mike Burke
Taliban Government Sets Policies for Women's Education
The Taliban government in Afghanistan announced an official policy on women’s education rights. The move follows recent street protests across parts of the country where women gathered and held signs in defense of rights that were stripped away the last time the Taliban took power. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has more.
School in a Bus Brings Hope to Out-of-School Children in India’s Capital
In India, where some children from poor urban communities do not attend school, voluntary groups have found creative ways to impart education. Anjana Pasricha looks at one such initiative in the Indian capital, where four buses serve as mobile classrooms.Camera: Rakesh Kumar
Afghanistan, 20 Years After September 11 Attacks
Twenty years after the United States and NATO ousted them from power, the Taliban are back. But as VOA’s Ayesha Tanzeem reports, the country they are trying to rule now is filled with a youthful population that is significantly more educated and aware.
Taliban Allow Second Flight from Kabul
A Qatar Airways passenger flight arrived in Doha from Afghanistan Friday, the second to depart from the Kabul airport with the Taliban’s permission since the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal that ended Aug. 31. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has the latest on evacuations from Afghanistan. Producer: Bakhtiyar Zamanov
Blinken Calls on Taliban to Let Charter Flights Leave Afghanistan
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is seeking to boost international diplomatic efforts regarding Afghanistan by co-hosting a ministerial meeting in Germany following the chaotic end of America’s 20-year presence in the country. VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.
Afghan Female Prosecutors Fear Taliban, Newly Released Prisoners
Female prosecutors in Afghanistan fear the Taliban and the thousands of prisoners released by the militant group. These women, who are still in Afghanistan, are calling on the international community for help. Farkhunda Paimani reports.
VOA EXCLUSIVE: American Stuck in Afghanistan Shares Her Story
In a chaotic effort, the U.S. managed to evacuate more than 124,000 civilians from Afghanistan, including 6,000 Americans, by Aug. 30. However, Nasria is one of the 100 to 200 Americans who remain trapped there. She asked that we use only her first name for her safety. She spoke exclusively…
With US Troops Gone, Afghan Women Face New Reality
With the last U.S. service members leaving Kabul, ending a 20-year war, Afghanistan's women and girls are facing the stark reality that the Taliban are back in control of their country. As VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports, there are already signs that their rights are in danger.
US Reviewing Afghan Aid, Holding Off on Taliban Recognition
Although U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan ended earlier this week, U.S. officials said Thursday there are still diplomatic and economic options for protecting the rights of Afghans under Taliban rule. VOA’s congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson has more. Producer: Katherine Gypson
Afghan Military Women Concerned Over Safety, Future
Women serving in the Afghan military say that they are worried about their safety and future under the Taliban. Yalda Baktash has this report.
Turkey Seeks Role as Broker With Taliban
Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, Turkey has been holding talks with the group’s leadership. Despite the two nations' long historical ties and a shared religion, some analysts warn Ankara could be overestimating its advantages. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
Afghan Media Face Uncertain Future Under Taliban Rule
With U.S. troops gone from Afghanistan and Kabul under Taliban control, hundreds of journalists, many of them women, are seeking sanctuary. VOA’s Esha Sarai has this report.Camera: Ayesha Tanzeem
Russia Casts a Pragmatic Eye on Afghanistan’s Taliban
In the aftermath of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Russia is looking south with a wary eye to see how it can benefit from a situation fraught with both opportunity and risk. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer reports.
Where Are the Taliban Getting Their Money?
Well before the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan, they had been gathering an important resource — money. While it is impossible to know exactly how much money they have amassed, it is clear the militants have been intent on creating financial independence. A June United Nations report estimates the militant group…
Afghan Refugee Misses Home, Pessimistic About its Future
Najia Hashimzada worked with various U.S agencies in Afghanistan for women rights before applying for a Special Immigrant Visa. She says she left Afghanistan because she was on the Taliban's hit list. She spoke with VOA’s Saqib Ul Islam about the situation in Afghanistan, the SIV process, her life in…
Afghans Arriving at Dulles Airport Tell Their Stories of Evacuations
According to the White House, the U.S. has evacuated more than 105,000 people from Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul. VOA’s Saba Shah Khan spoke to some of them at the Dulles International Airport in Virginia as they arrived and shared their experiences. Camera: Qazafi Babar …
In Afghanistan, Aid Agencies Adjust to New Environment
The humanitarian situation was already dire in Afghanistan before the Taliban swept into Kabul on Aug. 15, and now it has worsened as aid workers are coping with a new operating environment. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer reports.