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By Asena Karacalti and Vardan Ghaplanyan

Last week, violence in Afghanistan continued between the Taliban and government forces. The Taliban was also targeted by the Islamic State (IS), while Afghan forces clashed with another militia led by an anti-Taliban insurgent. In the de facto Republic of Artsakh, remnant landmines inflicted casualties on civilians and military forces for another week. Protests took place in Armenia against recent changes in the judicial system. In Georgia, demonstrations took place calling for the opening of the Armenian border, which has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, restricting economic migration. In Kazakhstan, oil and gas workers continue to protest for better working conditions. In Kyrgyzstan, a new round of opposition protests followed the appointment of the new parliament.

In Afghanistan, Afghan forces operations and airstrikes inflicted many fatalities on the Taliban last week in a number of provinces, mainly in Kandahar. Meanwhile, the Taliban attacked a military base in Khan Abad district of Kunduz, killing members of the National Security and Defense and National Civil Order Forces. The group also conducted a suicide attack using a car bomb, inflicting tens of casualties at the Public Order Police base in Nangarhar province. Such attacks have been rare since December 2020. In a separate development, IS claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb that killed four Taliban militants in the Chawkay district of Kunar province and another that killed one policeman in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province.

Apart from these clashes, the Alipour militia reportedly seized control over Hisa i Awali Bihsud district in Wardak province following several days of clashes with Afghan forces. Alipour is a militia commander who was arrested in 2018 due to severe abuses, mostly against Pashtun minorities (Al Jazeera, 27 November 2018). He was released shortly after as his supporters staged a series of violent demonstrations and formed an insurgency. Since then, the Alipour Militia has surfaced from time to time most recently on 29 January 2021 clashing with Afghan forces in Wardak province after Afghan forces reportedly killed some civilians during a protest on the same day (TOLO News, 3 February 2021).

Targeted killings of civilians also continued in the country last week. Many such killings remain unclaimed, similar to past weeks. Last weeks attacks mainly took place in Kabul and Jalalabad cities, where government officials, judges, and religious scholars were killed and injured.

On the other hand, a bipartisan panel tasked by the United States (US) congress to examine the US-Taliban deal recommended that the Biden administration slow down the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan past the May 2021 deadline (New York Times, 3 February 2021). The Taliban attacked the panels report and warned that extending the stay of NATO forces will lead to a major war (Voice of Jihad, 5 February 2021). Last week, Taliban negotiators also made a series of diplomatic trips to Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan, with a planned visit to Turkey to come. The government threatened to recall its negotiation team from Qatar if the group does not rejoin the talks soon (AP, 3 February 2021; AP, 31 January 2021).

Along the Armenia-Artsakh-Azerbaijan border, the situation remains relatively stable; however, Azerbaijan did accuse Armenian military forces of firing towards Azerbaijani positions in the direction of the Qazakh region. The Armenian Defense Ministry denies these accusations. At the same time, the number of victims of landmine explosions continues to rise, with a civilian and a soldiers death reported last week. In addition, Russia and Turkey officially opened a joint ceasefire monitoring center that will serve as a base for surveillance drones to monitor the new ceasefire lines between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces (Eurasianet, 2 February 2021).

In Armenia, opposition Homeland Salvation Movement members staged a protest against the proposed amendments to the Armenian Judicial Code and the formation of an anti-corruption court. According to the demonstrators, the new courts might become a political tool to suppress the opposition (Sputnik Armenia, 3 February 2021). Meanwhile, the ruling My Step alliance, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan re-evaluated the idea to organize snap parliamentary elections in 2021, stating that there was no such demand among the general public (OC Media, 8 February 2021). This signals that opposition protests are likely to continue in Armenia since Pashinyans government remains in power.

In Georgia, locals staged protests in the Akhalkalaki region, demanding the borders with Armenia and Russia be reopened. For most of the local population, the primary source of income has been seasonal work abroad. These borders were closed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic (Jnews, 3 February 2021).

In Kyrgyzstan, the parliament approved a new government, bringing the long-running political crisis which started after the parliamentary elections in October 2020 in the country to a close. However, the new prime ministers appointment was protested in Bishkek and Batken cities right after the news. Protesters claim that the new prime minister is not capable of overcoming the countrys economic hardship. The current government will operate until the snap Parliamentary elections take place in June 2021 (Eurasianet, 3 February 2021).

Oil and gas workers continued to protest in Kazakhstan by organizing five protests over the last week in Aqtobe, Mangghystau, and Shymkent regions, demanding improved working conditions for a second week in a row. Meanwhile, in Taldykorgan and Nur-Sultan, people organized protests against the governments coronavirus vaccine policy. This comes amid a certain degree of public skepticism regarding the vaccination campaigns efficiency and transparency. Mass vaccination against coronavirus using the Russian Sputnik V vaccine began on 1 February (Ria Novosti, 1 February 2021).

For more on protests in Central Asia, see this new ACLED joint report with our partners at the Oxus Society.

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ACLED Regional Overview Central Asia and the Caucus (30 January - 5 February 2021) - Afghanistan - ReliefWeb

As countries ramp up their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and work to contain new variants of the virus, WHO is tirelessly working towards equitable access of the new vaccines and continues to provide support in many other ways to countries all over the world. Here are some recent activities WHO was able to carry out to thanks to the vital backing of its many donors.

India rolls out the worlds largest COVID-19 vaccination drive with support from WHO

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the vaccination site at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Story published by WHO/SEARO on 16 January 2021.

India recently rolled out the worlds largest COVID-19 vaccination drive in January to reach around 300 million individuals in priority groups. The vaccines will be administered at over 3 000 sites in all states and union territories. Among the first to be vaccinated are 10 million health-workers who are at high risk of exposure to the disease.WHO is supporting the campaign through information, monitoring, and providing guidelines.

WHO helps maintain essential cholera protection during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan

Hon. Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health, administering oral cholera vaccine, South Sudan. Story published by WHO/AFRO on 20 January 2021.

WHO is supporting an oral cholera vaccination campaign in South Sudan to protect flood-displaced populations in high-risk areas.

The five-day campaign in January was organized and led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, UNICEF, IOM, MEDAIR and other partners to reach nearly 100 000 individuals aged one year and above in Pibor town, Verteth, Gumuruk and Lekuangule.

With European Union support, WHO will fight COVID-19 and strengthen health systems in Somalia

WHO/Somalia personnel receiving medical supplies donated by the EU. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 21 January 2021.

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Somalia and the WHO Somalia country office recently signed a 5 million multi-year contribution agreement for a project to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and to strengthen the countrys health systems.

WHO and the EU Delegation to Somalia will continue to collaborate closely in the future, alongside the health authorities, in their joint efforts to reach and support the most vulnerable populations across the country with essential and life-saving health services.

WHO and DHL team up to deliver health-care equipment to the Pacific

DHL sends healthcare supplies for WHO to the Pacific Islands. Story published by WHO/WPRO on 19 January 2021.

WHO recently teamed up with DHL Global Forwarding to coordinate WHOs latest delivery: more than US$ 2 million worth of medical devices such as oxygen concentrator sets, patient monitors and pulse oximeters. The equipment was flown with the help of DHL from Singapore to WHOs Division of Pacific Technical Support in Fiji.

The devices are destined for hospitals and other health-care facilities in eight countries and areas in the Pacific, where they will help local medical professionals to treat COVID-19 patients.

Canada and WHO support COVID-19 prevention programme among indigenous people in Bolivia

Demesio Semo Molle of the Yuqui council told WHO staff that his community doesnt have access to clean water. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.

Thanks to funding from the government of Canada and technical assistance from the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, Bolivia recently established a culturally adapted communication and training programme to prevent and manage COVID-19 in the tropics of Cochabamba. The programme is aimed to help the Pachinu and Bia Recuate communities of the Yuqui people and benefitted from their active participation.

EU, WHO donate supplies to enhance lab capacity for COVID-19 testing in Belize

Local staff receive laboratory equipment donated by the EU and WHO. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.

The European Union (EU) and WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently donated a stock of crucial supplies to the Central Medical Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Wellness to enhance the laboratorys capacity to continue the screening and testing for COVID-19 nationwide.

WHO, Germany deliver critical medical supplies to Western Balkan countries to strengthen COVID-19 response and save lives

A medical worker with COVID-19 test samples at Belgrades Torlak institute. Story published by WHO/EURO on 25 January 2021.

WHO has partnered with the German Government to deliver medical supplies worth 3.65 million to countries in the Western Balkan region. These supplies 334 ventilators and 19 400 pulse oximeters will equip health facilities to monitor and improve the health outcomes of COVID-19 patients, particularly in intensive care units.

The shipments were distributed at the end of 2020 to hospitals across the regions five countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. They will serve the immediate needs of countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strengthen the capacities of hospitals for future health emergencies.

EU provides additional 35 million to support the fight against COVID-19 in Afghanistan

A COVID-19 Rapid Response Team in Afghanistan. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 26 January 2021.

The EU-Delegation in Kabul recently announced additional support of 35 million to tackle COVID-19 and mitigate its socioeconomic impacts in Afghanistan. Since the start of the pandemic, the EU has mobilized almost 147 million to address the immediate health crisis and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need.

The additional funds will contribute to strengthening the response capacity of health systems to test and treat patients, to improve infection prevention, to raise awareness and to reduce nutritional risks through three projects implemented by WHO, UNICEF and a consortium led by the Aga Khan Foundation.

***

Read more about WHOs response to COVID-19 across the world.

Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.

African Development Bank, Alwaleed Foundation, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bulgaria, CAF, Canada, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), China, Cte dIvoire, COVID MPTF, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Germany, GFATM, Pacific Health Officers Association, Guinea, Holy See, Iceland, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Japan, Ireland, Islamic Development Bank, Italy, King Baudouin Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Novartis International AG, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Pacific Health Officers Association, Pandemic Tech, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Slovenia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tetra Pak Export FZE, Standard Chartered Bank, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP/UNOSS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNFCU Foundation, United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), United States, Viet Nam, Vital Strategies/Resolve to Save Lives, World Bank, World Bank/PEF

Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response

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From Afghanistan to South Sudan: how WHO and partners continue to fight COVID-19 around the world - World Health Organization

News that Jack Sloane (played by Maria Bello) is leaving has been known to NCIS fans since the summer of 2020 when the actor announced her departure after three years on the show. However, the time has now arrived for Sloane to bow out of the CBS series on-screen - and a synopsis from season 18, episode eight has left a number of the fandom thinking a relocation could be behind her exit.

In the next episode of NCIS, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) will accompany Sloane to Afghanistan.

As the CBS synopsis explains: When Sloane's name is discovered in Afghanistan at the site of an abandoned bus with a dead driver, Gibbs accompanies her on a trip to find a group of girls who were kidnapped from the bus.

Also, McGee (Sean Murray), Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) track down a hacker who emailed compromising information to the Taliban.

But what will the conclusion of Sloane and Gibbs trip to Afghanistan be? Well, it's not looking good.

READ MORE:NCIS 2021: Jimmy Palmer star opens up on struggle after Breena's death

Theories are starting to emerge among NCIS fans - from a deadly exit to an unlikely reunion with daughter Faith (Kate Hamilton).

However, a popular scenario which could see Sloane say her farewells would be for her to settle in Afghanistan for good.

This would both avoid the deadly exit so many are fearing as well as leave the door open for any possible return.

Taking to Twitter to discuss the theory, one fan said: Right so Jack stays in Afghanistan then they pull a Ziva (Cote de Pablo).

Ziva, of course, left the series several years ago only to return from the dead in season 17 to shock Gibbs and co.

Adding to the debate, another put forward plans as to how she could stay: Im hoping she would stay at Afghanistan and start a charity, that sounds like the best scenario rn (sic).

While others were simply hoping Sloane wouldnt suffer a similar fate to the likes of Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander).

I just read the press release for Jack's last episode. I was really hoping it wouldn't be centred around Afghanistan they said.

#NCIS Please don't kill her off not even in a heroic way. Just no. She deserves so much more. @mostx1 @stevebinder.

Fans will have to wait until March 2 when NCIS season 18 returns to see if its any clearer just how Sloane will depart.

In the meantime, CBS has released a promo image to show Gibbs and Sloane in Afghanistan.

Dressed head to toe in camouflaged protective gear, the two are certainly readying themselves for any danger which may come their way.

And they seem to be deep in conversation with a soldier - but could he be delivering a warning to the two?

Away from the Sloane storyline, fans are still coming to terms with the heartbreaking Covid plot with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).

In episode seven, Jimmy delivered the shock news that his wife Breena had died amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And it looks like Jimmy may begin to struggle with the grieving process going forward.

But will Gibbs and the team be able to rally around their pal to help him through the ordeal?

NCIS season 18 returns to CBS on March 2.

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NCIS 2021: Sloane to move to Afghanistan as fans tip heartbreaking Gibbs separation - Express

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti. (File photo)

India on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council, saying that Islamabad has been disrupting the peace process in Afghanistan by helping terror groups like Al-Qaida, ISIS - launch violent attacks in Khorasan Province (ISIL-K) in the neighbouring country.

"It is essential that we don't lose sight of the ease with which the proscribed Haqqani Network and its supporters, especially the Pakistani authorities, have worked along with prominent terrorist organizations like Al-Qaida, ISIL K, Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan, etc. in South Asia, said India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti while speaking at the Security Council Briefing on ''Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts'' on Tuesday.

He added that the UN Secretary General's report on ISIL should also cover activities of the proscribed terrorist entities under ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions regime like Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Pakistan based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and "frontal organizations that raise funds for their activities."

"The world is fully aware that these groups also perpetrate terrorist activities from safe havens in Pakistan, including through violent attacks in Afghanistan that have disrupted the peace process. We are also witnessing the relocation of terror groups to Afghanistan especially in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, across the Durand Line," the Indian envoy stated.

Mr Tirumurti reiterated External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's eight-point action plan during the January assembly that was inclusive of summoning the political will; don't justify terrorism, don't glorify terrorists and "No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists. A no good or bad distinction to be made."

He said that India welcomes the programmes that are launched by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office global programs launched by UNOCT to assist member states in building their capacities to prevent and counter-terrorism and acknowledge the direct utility of the Global Countering Terrorist Travel Program and the Global Program on Countering the Financing of Terrorism to prevent and detect travel of foreign terrorists and funding of terrorist entities.

The envoy reiterated India's full support for counter-terrorism cooperation under the auspices of the UN. "India has been at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts, has taken part in all major global initiatives against international terrorism and is a party to all 13 United Nations'' sectoral conventions relating to terrorism," he said further.

The intra-Afghan peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban had resumed in January but no progress till now has been made.

The talks were overshadowed by a series of disagreements and a surge in violence, including armed clashes and blasts across the country.

However, Former Pakistan senator Afrasiab Khattak had said that Islamabad has been using the Taliban as a "tool" for its dominance in Afghanistan under the pretext of strategic depth.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has reiterated that the world and all stakeholders should respect the rules of sovereignty and international relations.

"For a guarantee of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, we must ask the world and all stakeholders to respect the rules of sovereignty and international relations. Stop giving sanctuaries and stop interfering in the affairs of their neighbours," the Afghan President said.

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Terror Groups In Pakistan Disrupting Peace Process In Afghanistan: India - NDTV

How many U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, and what is their mission?

There are currently 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, along with 6,346 U.S. contractors [PDF]. U.S. force levels peaked at 100,000 in 2011. Under a withdrawal agreement [PDF] signed by the Donald J. Trump administration and the Taliban in February 2020, there shouldbe no U.S. troops left in Afghanistan by May 1.

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Some of the remaining U.S. troops conduct Special Operations missions with Afghan partner forces against international terrorist organizations including al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The rest train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) Operation Resolute Support. For the first time ever, there are more allied troops in Afghanistan (about eight thousand) than U.S. forces there. While small in number, U.S. personnel still provide important functions, including intelligence and air support for Afghan forces. The United States also provides Afghanistan with a critical $4.8 billion in assistance per year, which funds 80 percent [PDF] of the Afghan governments security expenditures.

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On January 28, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that the Taliban have not met their commitments, casting doubt on whether U.S. forces will exit by May 1. No final decision has been made.

According to the U.S.-Taliban agreement, a complete U.S. withdrawal is conditional on the Talibans break with international terrorist organizations, such as al-Qaeda, and on its prevention of activities on Afghan soil that threaten the security of the United States and its allies. The Afghanistan Study Group, a blue-ribbon panel appointed by the U.S. Institute of Peace, said in a new report that the Taliban also promised U.S. negotiators that it would not attack international forces, large Afghan cities, and some other targets.

However, the Taliban has not disavowed al-Qaeda; indeed, the United Nations reports that relations between the two are as close as ever. And although the Taliban has refrained from attacking U.S. forces, it has escalated attacks against Afghan security forces and civilians.

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The World This Week

A weekly digest of the latestfrom CFR on the biggest foreign policy stories of the week, featuring briefs, opinions, and explainers. Every Friday.

Biden has three options:

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The Afghanistan Study Group, co-chaired by retired General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, summed up the risks well: On the one hand, the Taliban have signaled publicly that if all international forces are not withdrawn by May 2021, as envisioned in the Doha agreement, they will resume their jihad against the foreign presence and will withdraw from the peace process. On the other hand, a withdrawal in May under current conditions will likely lead to a collapse of the Afghan state and a possible renewed civil war. The study group warns that a precipitous withdrawal could lead to a reconstitution of the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland within eighteen months to three years.

Given the risks of options one and two, Biden is likely to opt for number three: trying to win Taliban support for extending the withdrawal deadline while intra-Afghan peace talks continue. The Biden administration is likely to ask other countries, including China, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, to pressure the Taliban into amending the agreement.

If the Taliban doesnt agree to an extension (the odds are that it wont), the Biden administration will be left with the unpalatable choices of pulling out anywayrisking a collapse of the Afghan stateor remaining embroiled in the forever war. The administration is likely to maintain at least 2,500 troops while insisting that the United States is committed to withdrawal and supports the peace process. (The Afghanistan Study Group recommends increasing that number of troops to 4,500.) The Taliban is likely to call this a betrayal of the agreement and respond by targeting U.S. and other international forces to try to raise public pressure in the West for their removal. But if the Taliban fails to achieve its goals through these tactics, it could eventually return to the negotiating table.

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U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan: What Are Biden's Options? - Council on Foreign Relations