AGP Executive Report

Medical Supply Innovation: Teleflex’s FDA-approved freeze-dried plasma (EzPlaz) is designed for medics to treat life-threatening bleeding in austere, far-from-hospital settings—built to be stored for months and carried in compact kits. Cybersecurity in Afghanistan: Kaspersky reports new Windows backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government and public institutions across Afghanistan and Central Asia since 2025, using tailored access methods and malicious services. Afghanistan Water Heritage: UNESCO says 16 qanats were restored nationwide with Japanese support, benefiting 1,731 families and helping protect traditional underground irrigation systems. Humanitarian Pressure: WFP warns Afghanistan’s child malnutrition is at record levels, with 12 provinces in critical status and major treatment gaps due to funding shortfalls. Afghan Education & Licensing: Pakistani medical students in Afghanistan criticize PM&DC’s move barring their graduates from Pakistan’s licensing exam, calling it political and unfair. Counter-Terror Tech Governance: China urges stronger international governance of emerging technologies—like AI and drones—to curb terrorism, explicitly mentioning threats in Syria and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: The UN World Food Programme warns acute child malnutrition is now “critical” in 12 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, with funding shortfalls letting it treat only 1 in 7 acutely malnourished women and children. Afghan Health Policy: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council rules bar graduates from Afghan medical and dental institutions from Pakistan’s licensing exam, sparking criticism from students in Kabul and across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who call it a political and rights-violating move. Cybersecurity in the Region: Kaspersky reports new Windows backdoors, “OctLurk” and “SilkLurk,” targeting government and public institutions across Afghanistan and Central Asia since Jan 2025, using tailored loaders and administrative access. Tech & Business (Global, with local relevance): Meta met India’s MeitY after an erroneous takedown of a PM video, while Infosys signed a multi-year AI/automation IT modernization deal with Metsä Group. Security & Conflict: A UN official says ISIS remains a serious threat, noting affiliates’ resilience and growing use of commercial drones. Local Incident: Taliban authorities report a man arrested for allegedly fatally shooting his father after a dispute in Nangarhar.

Afghanistan Tech & Science: Kabul will host Afghanistan’s first International Agriculture and Livestock Exhibition (Aug 11–16), with 500 booths and participation from Uzbekistan, Russia, Iran, Türkiye, and India—aimed at boosting exports, investment, and farmer incomes. Health Policy: The Islamic Emirate launched a National Five-Year Health Strategy, stressing standardized care, stronger hospital capacity, reduced maternal and neonatal deaths, and support for domestic production of medicines and vaccines. Education & Society: A personal account highlights how Afghanistan’s education disruption has derailed plans for aviation and university study, showing the long-term tech and skills loss from restrictions on girls’ education. Security & Daily Life: In Nangarhar, Taliban authorities report a man arrested after allegedly fatally shooting his father following a dispute—another reminder of how domestic violence and weapons access keep harming communities. Tech in the Region: A World Bank warning flags AI-driven job displacement risks for Pakistan and the wider MENAAP region, urging faster reskilling and digital competitiveness.

Afghanistan Tech & Health: The Islamic Emirate launched a National Five-Year Health Strategy, promising standardized care, stronger hospital capacity, and support for domestic production of medicines and vaccines, while urging Afghan doctors abroad to return. Agriculture & Trade: Kabul will host Afghanistan’s first International Agriculture and Livestock Exhibition (Aug 11–16), with 500 booths and participation from Uzbekistan, Russia, Iran, Türkiye, and India to boost exports and investment. Banking Oversight: Da Afghanistan Bank’s supervisory report on “New Kabul Bank” says reform progress is weak, citing liquidity and governance problems plus unresolved issues, warning of possible legal action for inaccurate submissions. Education & Rights: A new report highlights the ongoing impact of barring Afghan girls from education, including stories of former medical students whose studies were cut short. Regional Tech & Jobs: A World Bank warning says AI-driven job displacement could hit Pakistan and the wider MENAAP region hardest, where youth unemployment and limited formal job growth are already major pressures. Digital Security: The Red Cross is working on a digital emblem to protect its humanitarian identity from cyber attacks.

Defense-Tech & Drones: Change Agents Corp. says it’s expanding into counter-drone tech by forming Autonomous Air Defense LLC and adding retired Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost to its advisory board. Banking Oversight: Afghanistan’s Taliban-run central bank reports “New Kabul Bank” made only 28.56% progress on reforms, citing weak liquidity, governance gaps, and unresolved embezzlement follow-ups. Human Rights: Human Rights Watch marks five years since the Taliban takeover, warning of deepening gender persecution and calling for governments to push for justice, not just statements. Returnee Research: Herat’s Council of Specialists released a study on challenges and opportunities for Afghan returnees, urging better use of skills and experience gained abroad. Critical Minerals & AI-Era Security: A policy discussion highlights how AI and geopolitical competition are reshaping critical-mineral mining debates, including Afghanistan’s resource potential and the need to balance development with safeguards. Women’s Work Ban Costs: A report estimates Afghanistan’s economy loses about $1B a year from banning women from employment, tying gender repression to broader economic collapse.

Afghanistan Human Rights: Human Rights Watch marks five years since the Taliban takeover, saying women’s rights have been systematically dismantled and discrimination is now embedded in new laws, while impunity and a worsening humanitarian crisis continue. Afghan Economy & Gender: A new report estimates Afghanistan’s economy is losing about $1B a year after bans on women’s work, calling it a major hit to GDP and household survival. Returnee Research: A Herat study says returning Afghans can help reconstruction with skills, capital, and new ideas—if authorities improve how programs hire and manage returnee talent. Agriculture Tech Cooperation: Afghanistan’s agriculture delegation has visited Moldova to discuss research, innovation, plant protection, and modern farming tech, with Moldova stressing it doesn’t recognize the Taliban and will avoid official meetings. Suicide Prevention (US): New data shows modest declines in US suicide deaths, but veterans still lag—highlighting gaps in whether military suicide-prevention training is tracked and effective. Space & Defense Tech (US): The Army creates a new Project Manager Space Superiority and Exploitation role to speed sensing and intelligence from space and terrestrial sources.

Afghan Agriculture Abroad: A Taliban-era Ministry of Agriculture delegation led by Deputy Minister Sadr Azam Osmani has entered Moldova after receiving visas, aiming to discuss agricultural research, plant protection, and modern farming technologies—though Moldova says it does not recognize the Taliban government and will not hold official meetings, while it investigates how the invitation and visas were issued. Greenhouse Farming in Baghlan: Afghanistan’s Baghlan agriculture authorities report 250 greenhouses set up over two years with support from partners, pushing “scientific” vegetable cultivation, creating jobs, and improving yields for families investing in modern production. Counter-UAS Business Move: EagleNXT named Lindsay A. Ryan as Head of Sales and Business Development for its counter-drone systems, signaling continued growth in defense drone defense markets. Human Rights Pressure: Human Rights Watch marks five years since the Taliban takeover, warning that restrictions on women and girls’ education and public life have deepened, urging governments to move from statements to action. Higher Education Expansion: Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate says it is expanding PhD and master’s programs at public universities, including computer science and AI, engineering, agriculture, and public health.

Afghan Higher Education: The Islamic Emirate says it has expanded PhD and master’s programs at public universities, listing new doctoral tracks in engineering, computer science and AI, agriculture, public health, Afghan studies, and more. Education Under Pressure: Reports highlight how girls’ post-primary schooling is blocked, with some students pushed into madrassas and families describing fear and monitoring. Regional Tech & Infrastructure: Uzbekistan offers support to Afghanistan’s power utility (DABS) with staff training, lab calibration, and mobile testing labs to align equipment with international standards. Agribusiness Investment: Kazakhstan’s Kostanay region is rolling out dozens of agricultural projects, including new processing and storage capacity, as investors move toward higher-value food production. Security & Tech-Linked Conflict: A UN-linked investigation alleges Boeing aircraft tied to a US contractor network helped move fighters, drones, and weapons into Sudan’s Darfur, underscoring how aviation and tech supply chains intersect with conflict. Terror Attack: A suicide bombing in Pakistan’s Swat Valley killed at least 14 near an anti-militant rally, with dozens wounded.

Taliban-Pakistan Tensions: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group wants to resolve disputes with Pakistan, blaming Islamabad for route closures and trade obstacles for Afghan traders. Afghanistan Power Sector Support: Uzbekistan’s Technical Regulation Agency offered to help Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat (DABS) with staff training, calibration, international standards, and mobile testing labs. Girls’ Education Push: UNAMA again urged Afghanistan’s authorities to reopen secondary schools and universities for girls, warning the country remains the only place where higher education is formally barred for women. Afghan Solar Growth: A Kabul solar market report says demand is rising as power shortages push homes, shops, factories, and farmers toward solar panels, batteries, and inverters—often with more self-installation than before. Afghan Mining Drive: Taliban officials highlighted new mineral site identification and mining investment claims across multiple provinces, framing it as an economic achievement. ISKP Tech Use: Analysts say Islamic State Khorasan Province is adapting with emerging tech, including AI and online recruitment, to exploit regional instability.

Girls’ Education Crisis: UNAMA again urges Afghanistan to reopen secondary schools and universities for girls, warning the country is the only place where education beyond primary is formally blocked for women and girls. Afghan Power Sector Tech Support: Uzbekistan’s Technical Regulation Agency says it will help Afghanistan’s power utility DABS build staff capacity, calibrate testing equipment, train specialists, and set up mobile laboratories. Solar Growth in Kabul: A Kabul solar market report shows rising demand for Chinese-made panels, batteries, and inverters as power shortages push households, shops, factories, and farmers toward solar backup and irrigation pumps. ISKP Tech-Driven Threat: Analysts say Islamic State Khorasan Province is adapting fast online, using emerging tech, multilingual propaganda, and recruitment networks to expand amid regional turmoil. Afghan Women Under Pressure: A new account highlights the devastating toll of Taliban-era restrictions, including a 16-year-old suicide linked to the impossibility of being a girl in Afghanistan. Regional Connectivity Watch: Uzbekistan trade and Central Asia cooperation stories point to growing regional logistics and high-tech equipment flows that Afghanistan’s neighbors may leverage.

Solar Boom in Kabul: Chinese-made solar panels, batteries, and inverters are drawing growing demand in Afghanistan as power cuts push homes, shops, factories, and farms toward backup electricity and solar-powered irrigation. Regional Rail Tech & Trade: Pakistan and Türkiye are moving to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul freight corridor, with talks on railway modernization, technology transfer, and investment to boost connectivity across South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. Cybersecurity Alert for Central Asia (incl. Afghanistan): Kaspersky reports suspected Chinese-speaking hackers targeting government and research organizations across Central Asia and Afghanistan using new backdoors (OctLurk, SilkLurk) and a proxy tool (LurkProxy). Governance & Security Talk: Pakistan’s ISPR chief says security can’t rely only on operations and calls good governance “quintessential,” even suggesting an administrative “reset” if needed—through constitutional means. Afghanistan–Kyrgyzstan Research Links: Afghan and Kyrgyz officials discussed expanding strategic studies, economic ties, and academic and research cooperation, including joint projects. Uzbek Trade Growth: Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover hit $41B in the first half of 2026, with imports rising and demand for high-tech equipment supporting industrial modernization.

AI Fraud & Identity Security: A new report says AI-driven fraud attacks surged dramatically, with AI enabling criminals to scale identity fabrication, voice cloning, and cyberattacks—hitting small and medium businesses hardest. Cyber Threats in Central Asia: Kaspersky warns of suspected Chinese-speaking hackers targeting government and research organizations across Central Asia (including Afghanistan) using new backdoors (OctLurk, SilkLurk) and tools for keylogging, password theft, and remote access. Afghanistan–Kyrgyzstan Cooperation: Afghan officials met Kyrgyz counterparts in Bishkek to expand strategic studies, economic ties, and academic/research exchanges, including joint research projects. Women’s Education Under Taliban: Reporting highlights the emotional toll of barring Afghan girls from school, linking restrictions to rising despair and tragic outcomes. Regional Connectivity (Rail): Pakistan and Türkiye agreed in principle to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul freight rail corridor, aiming to turn it into a permanent trade route.

Cybersecurity: New custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, have been found targeting government and critical organizations across Afghanistan and Central Asia, letting attackers keylog, steal passwords, and take remote control. Defense & Surveillance: The US Army is continuing its tethered surveillance balloon program with a $447m contract, even as drones and counter-drone threats grow. Military Tech Hygiene: CENTCOM warned deployed service members that phone data could be used against them, with guidance that phones may be confiscated and posting strike videos can expose location details. Information Warfare: The Trump administration is pushing a broader global information strategy, naming China, Russia, and Iran as main narrative adversaries, while USAGM plans more short-form video and diaspora chat outreach. Afghan Culture & Women: Afghan artist Rada Akbar’s Abarzanan project is highlighted as a tech-meets-art storytelling effort that preserves women’s history through embroidery, calligraphy, and fashion. Governance & Education: Reports say the Taliban has restricted academic fields at Kabul University, raising concerns for research and higher learning. International Justice: The ICC voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, adding more uncertainty to global accountability efforts.

Afghan Security & Rights: A former Afghan interpreter for UK forces says a Ministry of Defence data breach led to Taliban threats against his family, including demands for money. Deportation & Counterterror Tech: The US Justice Department is using a rarely used Alien Terrorist Removal Court to seek deportation of an Afghan lawful permanent resident accused of supporting an ISIS-inspired Election Day 2024 plot. Military Tech & Surveillance: The US Army awarded up to $447m to keep producing tethered surveillance balloons, even as drones and counter-drone threats grow. Drones & Airpower: Iran’s low-cost Shahed drone approach is reshaping modern warfare, challenging the idea that only high-end systems win. Space/Imaging Controls: A satellite imaging firm temporarily restricted access to its ultra-high-definition images during the Iran war at Trump administration request. Health & Brain Injury Research: Australia will track blast exposure with helmet pressure readings plus blood tests to detect traumatic brain injury in service members. Migration & Trafficking Risk: UN agencies warn returning Afghans face rising trafficking and exploitation risks as jobs vanish and humanitarian support shrinks. Global Accountability: The ICC voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan amid misconduct allegations, while Venezuela announced withdrawal from the Rome Statute. Policy & Safety Online: NAPTIP warns Nigerians about fake job offers and scholarships spread via social media scams.

Veteran Health Tech: Australia plans a first-of-its-kind study tracking blast injuries by pairing helmet blast readings with blood tests and neurological checks, aiming to better detect traumatic brain injury after weapon explosions. Afghan-Linked Security & Data Risks: A UK MoD data breach tied to Afghan special forces and interpreters is described as a “foreseeable failure,” with MPs criticizing handling and secrecy after names were leaked. Border & Drug Enforcement: Bulgaria reports a sharp rise in arrests for illegal border crossings and drug crimes in June, including discovery of many more drug labs and large seizures. AI & Media Training: Meta says it will train AI using content from far-right outlet Newsmax, raising questions about how political media feeds into mainstream AI systems. Drones & Warfare Economics: New reporting highlights how Iran’s low-cost Shahed drones are reshaping modern warfare, challenging the idea that only high-end tech wins. Refugee Protection Under Pressure: Commentary revisits how the 1951 Refugee Convention faces mounting strain as displacement hits record levels and countries tighten policies. Afghanistan Education Policy: Reports claim the Taliban has restricted academic fields at Kabul University, signaling continued limits on research and study options.

Kabul University Restrictions: Reports say Taliban-linked religious scholars have revised curricula and suspended teaching in several fields at Kabul University, with fine arts and performing arts hit hardest. Afghan Data Privacy Fallout: A UK parliamentary investigation says a Ministry of Defence data breach involving tens of thousands of Afghans was a “foreseeable failure,” tied to secrecy and strict court orders, raising questions about how Afghan special forces applications were handled. Afghan Security Links: Coverage highlights Russia’s growing military-technical cooperation with Afghanistan focused on repairing Soviet-era weapons, alongside broader analysis of Moscow’s shift toward the Taliban. Drones and Conflict Lessons: A roundup on drone warfare traces how unmanned systems evolved from counterterror tools in Afghanistan and Pakistan to today’s roles in surveillance, strikes, loitering munitions, and electronic warfare. Health Research in South Asians: A Rutgers-led study launches to track Alzheimer’s and dementia risk among South Asian Americans, aiming for tailored prevention and early detection. Regional Security Context: Pakistan reports deadly attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, repeatedly citing cross-border militant movement from Afghanistan.