Trump Administration Prepares to Revive and Expand Travel Bans

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 by Farhan

The Trump administration is finalizing a new ban on travel to the United States for citizens of certain countries that would be broader than the versions President Trump issued in his first term, according to two officials familiar with the matter. A draft recommendation circulating inside the executive branch proposes a “red” list of countries … Read more

Emeralds for Sale: The Taliban Look Below Ground to Revive the Economy

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Farhan

In a chilly auditorium in Afghanistan, heaps of freshly mined green emeralds glowed under bright table lamps as bearded gemstone dealers inspected them for purity and quality. An auctioneer asked for bids on the first lot, which weighed 256 carats. With that, the Taliban’s weekly gemstone auction was underway. These sales, in the emerald-rich Panjshir … Read more