The United States on Monday (Mar 9) designated Afghanistan as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" while demanding that the Taliban government release two American citizens. Calling on Kabul to end its "hostage diplomacy", Secretary of the US State Department Marco Rubio alleged that the Taliban continues to kidnap people "to seek policy concessions". This comes just over a week after America, for the first time, added Iran to its new "wrongful detention" blacklist. The list was created via US President Donald Trump's executive order in September 2025.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/economy/amid-iran-war-dubai-gold-at-discount-of-30-but-it-s-bad-news-for-india-here-s-why-gold-prices-latest-1772863560146">Amid Iran war Dubai selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why</a><h2>Afghanistan's "terrorist tactics"</h2>In a statement, Rubio alleged that the "Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions".He said that it was not safe for American citizens to travel to Afghanistan because "the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals."Rubio called for the release of "Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever".<h2>Who is Mahmoud Habibi?</h2>An Afghan-American citizen, Mahmoud Habibi, previously served as Afghanistan's director of civil aviation. According to US authorities, Habibi, along with dozens of other employees of his telecommunications firm, was arrested in August 2022 — a year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.Previously, the US State Department had issued a $5 million reward for any information that may lead to Habibi's return to America.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/america-s-deadliest-war-crime-investigation-finds-us-likely-responsible-for-devastating-school-strike-that-killed-150-iranian-girls-1772766411530">US investigation admits America was responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls</a><h2>Who is Dennis Coyle?</h2>Dennis Coyle is an academic from Colorado. According to the James Foley Foundation, he worked in Afghanistan for over two decades before being detained by the Taliban in January 2025.

Why has the US labelled Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”?

Marco Rubio says the Taliban is using “hostage diplomacy” and has demanded the release of detained Americans. Who are the citizens being held? Here's all we know.

The United States on Monday (Mar 9) designated Afghanistan as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" while demanding that the Taliban government release two American citizens. Calling on Kabul to end its "hostage diplomacy", Secretary of the US State Department Marco Rubio alleged that the Taliban continues to kidnap people "to seek policy concessions". This comes just over a week after America, for the first time, added Iran to its new "wrongful detention" blacklist. The list was created via US President Donald Trump's executive order in September 2025. Also read | Amid Iran war Dubai selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why Afghanistan's "terrorist tactics" In a statement, Rubio alleged that the "Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions". He said that it was not safe for American citizens to travel to Afghanistan because "the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals." Rubio called for the release of "Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever". Who is Mahmoud Habibi? An Afghan-American citizen, Mahmoud Habibi, previously served as Afghanistan's director of civil aviation. According to US authorities, Habibi, along with dozens of other employees of his telecommunications firm, was arrested in August 2022 — a year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Previously, the US State Department had issued a $5 million reward for any information that may lead to Habibi's return to America. Also read | US investigation admits America was responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls Who is Dennis Coyle? Dennis Coyle is an academic from Colorado. According to the James Foley Foundation, he worked in Afghanistan for over two decades before being detained by the Taliban in January 2025.

Why has the US labelled Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”?Marco Rubio says the Taliban is using “hostage diplomacy” and has demanded the release of detained Americans. Who are the citizens being held? Here's all we know.

US slams Afghanistan for 'terrorist tactics' designates it 'State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention'

Issuing a big statement, United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sep 18) said that efforts were underway to regain control of Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase, which the US had given up control on following the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Speaking at a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in UK, Trump suggested it could be considered "breaking news" and explained that the US was seeking the return of the base adding a China angle to it. This comes almost four months after Trump claimed that China is occupying the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

<blockquote>United States President Donald Trump said, "We're trying to get it back, by the way," the president said of the airbase. "That could be a little breaking news. We're trying to get it back. Because they need things from us. We want that base back." The president said one reason the US wants control of the base is its location, saying it's an “hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”</blockquote>

Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wants-to-play-us-vs-china-over-bagram-airbase-story-of-military-airfield-in-afghanistan-that-biden-left-in-2021-9072198">Trump wants to play US vs China over Bagram Airbase</a>&nbsp;In May this year, addressing the US troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Trump said that the United States will keep Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, stressing, "We will not give it up." He stressed that it is just an hour away from China, claiming that China occupies it. “We are going to keep Bagram Airbase, we are not going to give that up because its one hour away from China. You know who occupies it now, China. Sadly, over the last four years, we saw a collapse in Afghanistan,” he added. Soon after Trump's claims, the Taliban had categorically denied reports of a Chinese presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram Airbase.&nbsp;Read more |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-woman-faye-hall-thanks-trump-after-release-by-taliban-in-afghanistan-8905840">US woman Faye Hall thanks Trump after release by Taliban in Afghanistan</a><h2>Story of Bagram Airbase</h2>Bagram Airbase is a major military airfield, located in the Parwan province of Afghanistan. The largest air base in Afghanistan lies about 60 km north of Kabul in the Parwan province. The airbase was built by the Soviet Union in 1950 and the USSR had control over it during the early days of the Cold War. During the Soviet-Afghan war, the airbase was fortified and started lodging military personnel from the USSR. The US came in the picturee in 1959, when then US President Dwight Eisenhower paid a visit to Afghanistan and landed in Bagram.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1990, the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, and the airbase was left abandoned. It then became the frontline between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance military. However, during the conflict, the airbase was severely damaged. Later in 2001 after the 9/11 terror attack, the US and its Western allies took over the Afghan airfield. For the next 20 years, they controlled the Bagram airbase, claiming that they were using it for America's "War on terrorism". In 2020, the US and the Taliban signed a deal to withdraw international forces from Afghanistan by May 2021.&nbsp;Read more | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-urges-afghans-to-return-home-amid-us-travel-ban-1749364537130">Taliban urges Afghans to return home amid US travel ban</a>

At a Sept 18 press conference in UK, US President Trump revealed efforts to regain control of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which the U.S. abandoned after the 2021 Taliban takeover. He said, "We’re trying to get it back... they need things from us. We want that base back."

Issuing a big statement, United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sep 18) said that efforts were underway to regain control of Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase, which the US had given up control on following the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Speaking at a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in UK, Trump suggested it could be considered "breaking news" and explained that the US was seeking the return of the base adding a China angle to it. This comes almost four months after Trump claimed that China is occupying the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

At a Sept 18 press conference in UK, US President Trump revealed efforts to regain control of Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which the US abandoned after the 2021 Taliban takeover. He said, "We’re trying to get it back... they need things from us. We want that base back."

US to re-enter Afghanistan? Trump shares 'breaking news' about Bagram Airbase, says 'Chinese nuclear weapons are made...'

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, demanded Esper explain whether the funds had been cut and if so from which accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-polio-cases-reported-in-afghanistan-balkh-herat-badakhshan-305917">Also watch:&nbsp;New Polio cases reported in Afghanistan | Balkh, Herat, Badakhshan</a>

"Will the execution of such funding cuts impact the US military presence on the ground in Afghanistan?" they asked in the letter, requesting a reply by June 26.

"If the administration has determined that this cut in security assistance does not diminish our ability to pursue our national security objectives, what conditions have changed to create such a sizeable surplus?" they added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/eight-killed-in-armed-attack-on-clinic-in-eastern-afghanistan-including-political-figure-305659">Also read:&nbsp;Eight killed in armed attack on clinic in Eastern Afghanistan, including political figure</a>

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the reduction on March 23 to try to force Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah to end a feud that had helped stall US-led peace-making efforts in Afghanistan.

Ghani and Abdullah on May 17 signed a power-sharing deal, raising questions whether Washington would reduce the funding.

After nearly two decades of fighting the Taliban, the United States is looking to extricate itself and to achieve peace between the US-backed government and the militant group. But despite the pact between Ghani and Abdullah, peace talks between the government and the Taliban have yet to occur.

Reuters reported on April 5 the reduction would come from funds for Afghan security forces and, on May 20, that the Pentagon had not withheld the money despite Pompeo`s March 23 vow to cut it "immediately."

On June 1, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said he thought the money had been cut and referred questions to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter.

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, demanded Esper explain whether the funds had been cut and if so from which accounts. Also watch: New Polio cases reported in Afghanistan | Balkh, Herat, Badakhshan "Will the execution of such funding cuts impact the US military presence on the ground in Afghanistan?" they asked in the letter, requesting a reply by June 26. "If the administration has determined that this cut in security assistance does not diminish our ability to pursue our national security objectives, what conditions have changed to create such a sizeable surplus?" they added. Also read: Eight killed in armed attack on clinic in Eastern Afghanistan, including political figure Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the reduction on March 23 to try to force Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah to end a feud that had helped stall US-led peace-making efforts in Afghanistan. Ghani and Abdullah on May 17 signed a power-sharing deal, raising questions whether Washington would reduce the funding. After nearly two decades of fighting the Taliban, the United States is looking to extricate itself and to achieve peace between the US-backed government and the militant group. But despite the pact between Ghani and Abdullah, peace talks between the government and the Taliban have yet to occur. Reuters reported on April 5 the reduction would come from funds for Afghan security forces and, on May 20, that the Pentagon had not withheld the money despite Pompeo`s March 23 vow to cut it "immediately." On June 1, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said he thought the money had been cut and referred questions to the Pentagon. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter.

US senators ask Pentagon if $1 billion in Afghan aid was cut

The US general in command of the NATO force in Afghanistan warned Thursday that he needs thousands more troops and accused Russia of seeking to prop up the Taliban rebels.

US-led forces have been fighting in Afghanistan for 16 years, making it already America&#39;s longest ever war, but General John Nicholson told Congress: &quot;I believe we&#39;re in a stalemate.&quot;

The question of whether to double down in the seemingly endless conflict will now become one of the first major military strategy questions of President Donald Trump&#39;s term.&nbsp;

Trump has not laid out any detailed new strategy for Afghanistan in his first weeks in office, but during the campaign, he reluctantly accepted that US troops would remain.

And last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had suggested in a call to Afghanistan&#39;s President Ashraf Ghani that he would consider sending more soldiers. The pair spoke again on Thursday.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters that Trump would seek the advice of Defense Secretary James Mattis before deciding on Nicholson&#39;s request for reinforcements.

&quot;I think the president will heed the advice of the generals and Secretary Mattis. That conversation has yet to happen,&quot; he said.

Testifying before the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Nicholson said he has a &quot;shortfall of a few thousand&quot; troops needed to train, advise and assist Afghan government forces.

The NATO alliance has 13,300 troops in Afghanistan, about half of them American, assisting a much larger Afghan force in a war against the Taliban and other Islamist militants.

Afghan casualties

Afghan government police and armed forces now take the lead in the battle against the Taliban, which was forced from power in Kabul after the 2001 US-led invasion.

US battlefield deaths are relatively rare since the transfer of primary responsibility to Afghan forces.

But the Afghans are facing mounting casualties -- their losses in 2016 were up by a third over 2015, with 6,785 killed in the first 10 months of the year -- and losing ground.

Last year was also particularly deadly for Afghan civilians. A UN report found that 11,500 were killed or injured in 2016, the most since it began keeping records in 2009.&nbsp;

Nicholson told the committee that having more US and allied troops would allow him to train and advise Afghan units down to a brigade level and in ministries in Kabul.

The general said he was discussing the request for reinforcements with his own chain of command and that Mattis would talk to the NATO allies.&nbsp;

The Senate panel, led by hawkish committee chairman John McCain, were also keen to hear more about the alleged malign influence of Russia and Iran in the Afghan conflict.

Trump has repeatedly said he hopes to mend ties with Russia&#39;s President Vladimir Putin so that Russia and the United States can work together against &quot;radical Islamic terror.&quot;

But, according to Nicholson, Russia is instead giving the Taliban encouragement and diplomatic cover in order to undermine American influence and to defeat NATO.

The general told the senators that Russia was trying to &quot;legitimize&quot; the Taliban by promoting a &quot;false narrative&quot; that the rebels are fighting the Islamic State group.

Russia has, for example, invited Taliban leaders to Moscow for talks with the involvement of Ghani&#39;s government, undermining efforts to build an Afghan-led peace process.

&quot;When we look at Russia and Iranian actions in Afghanistan, I believe that in part they&#39;re to undermine the United States and NATO,&quot; Nicholson said.

Russia, which fought its own nine-year war in Afghanistan in the 1980s as the Soviet Union, announced on Tuesday that it plans to host a conference of regional powers.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would invite representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Iran and India and insisted the Taliban must be included in peace talks.

(AFP)

The US general in command of the NATO force in Afghanistan also accused Russia of seeking to prop up the Taliban rebels

The US general in command of the NATO force in Afghanistan warned Thursday that he needs thousands more troops and accused Russia of seeking to prop up the Taliban rebels. US-led forces have been fighting in Afghanistan for 16 years, making it already America's longest ever war, but General John Nicholson told Congress: "I believe we're in a stalemate." The question of whether to double down in the seemingly endless conflict will now become one of the first major military strategy questions of President Donald Trump's term. Trump has not laid out any detailed new strategy for Afghanistan in his first weeks in office, but during the campaign, he reluctantly accepted that US troops would remain. And last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had suggested in a call to Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani that he would consider sending more soldiers. The pair spoke again on Thursday. White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters that Trump would seek the advice of Defense Secretary James Mattis before deciding on Nicholson's request for reinforcements. "I think the president will heed the advice of the generals and Secretary Mattis. That conversation has yet to happen," he said. Testifying before the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Nicholson said he has a "shortfall of a few thousand" troops needed to train, advise and assist Afghan government forces. The NATO alliance has 13,300 troops in Afghanistan, about half of them American, assisting a much larger Afghan force in a war against the Taliban and other Islamist militants. Afghan casualties Afghan government police and armed forces now take the lead in the battle against the Taliban, which was forced from power in Kabul after the 2001 US-led invasion. US battlefield deaths are relatively rare since the transfer of primary responsibility to Afghan forces. But the Afghans are facing mounting casualties -- their losses in 2016 were up by a third over 2015, with 6,785 killed in the first 10 months of the year -- and losing ground. Last year was also particularly deadly for Afghan civilians. A UN report found that 11,500 were killed or injured in 2016, the most since it began keeping records in 2009. Nicholson told the committee that having more US and allied troops would allow him to train and advise Afghan units down to a brigade level and in ministries in Kabul. The general said he was discussing the request for reinforcements with his own chain of command and that Mattis would talk to the NATO allies. The Senate panel, led by hawkish committee chairman John McCain, were also keen to hear more about the alleged malign influence of Russia and Iran in the Afghan conflict. Trump has repeatedly said he hopes to mend ties with Russia's President Vladimir Putin so that Russia and the United States can work together against "radical Islamic terror." But, according to Nicholson, Russia is instead giving the Taliban encouragement and diplomatic cover in order to undermine American influence and to defeat NATO. The general told the senators that Russia was trying to "legitimize" the Taliban by promoting a "false narrative" that the rebels are fighting the Islamic State group. Russia has, for example, invited Taliban leaders to Moscow for talks with the involvement of Ghani's government, undermining efforts to build an Afghan-led peace process. "When we look at Russia and Iranian actions in Afghanistan, I believe that in part they're to undermine the United States and NATO," Nicholson said. Russia, which fought its own nine-year war in Afghanistan in the 1980s as the Soviet Union, announced on Tuesday that it plans to host a conference of regional powers. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would invite representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Iran and India and insisted the Taliban must be included in peace talks. (AFP)

NATO's Afghan forces chief wants more troops deployed to end stalemate

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US slams Afghanistan for 'terrorist tactics' designates it 'State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention'

Trump shares 'little breaking news' about Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase

US senators ask Pentagon if $1 billion in Afghan aid was cut

NATO's Afghan forces chief wants more troops deployed to end stalemate