Afghanistan and Russia have discussed ways to expand economic and trade cooperation, including increasing exports of Afghan products to Russia and importing Russian machinery and technology into Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi met with Nikita Kornienko, Minister of International and Interregional Cooperation of Russia’s Chelyabinsk Region, and his delegation, according to the ministry.

The talks focused on strengthening economic ties, improving coordination between traders from both sides, expanding exports of Afghan goods to Chelyabinsk, importing Russian machinery and modern technologies, and enhancing banking cooperation.

Azizi highlighted the need to increase Afghan exports to Russia and said Afghanistan was ready to establish a distribution centre for Russian goods in Afghanistan and a market for Afghan products in Chelyabinsk.

Kornienko welcomed greater trade cooperation with Afghanistan and invited a delegation from the Islamic Emirate, including private-sector representatives, to visit Chelyabinsk to help strengthen coordination between traders from both sides.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the two sides described the meeting as productive and stressed the need to further expand economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia.

Former Pakistani ambassador and Georgetown University adjunct professor Touqir Hussain has called for a fundamental change in Islamabad’s policy toward Afghanistan, arguing that treating the country mainly as a security issue has failed.

In an article published by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper on Wednesday, Hussain said Afghanistan has remained a challenge for Pakistan regardless of which government has ruled in Kabul. He argued that Pakistan’s past policies have contributed to worsening the situation.

Hussain described Afghanistan as primarily a political challenge with a military dimension, rather than a military problem with a political dimension. He said ethnic tensions, the rural-urban divide, sectarian differences, ideological conflicts and competition among political and regional power groups have contributed to instability.

He also criticized the United States’ military involvement in Afghanistan, saying Washington entered the war without a clear strategy and remained involved for years despite repeated failures.

Hussain said both Afghanistan and Pakistan have suffered from decades of conflict. He argued that Afghanistan’s former political leadership also bears responsibility for the country’s current situation.

On relations between Kabul and Islamabad, Hussain said Pakistan should adopt a comprehensive strategy that combines pressure and incentives on issues including border management, refugees and trade.

He also warned Pakistan against supporting Afghan opposition groups, either independently or on behalf of Washington.

“Pakistan should never become part of another American war again,” Hussain wrote, arguing that US financial assistance cannot compensate for the losses caused by failed wars.

He said a stable relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan is important for the security, economic future and political stability of both countries.

Former California state senator Aisha Wahab was sworn in Wednesday as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.

Wahab, 39, will serve the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term through the end of the year. Swalwell resigned in April following allegations of sexual misconduct by multiple women.

During her remarks after taking the oath, Wahab spoke about her journey from foster care to Congress and described the American Dream as a promise that a person’s past does not determine their future.

“I walked into Congress carrying the beating heart of a former foster care kid,” Wahab said.

Wahab was born in New York to Afghan refugees and was raised in the foster care system, first in New York and later in Fremont, California. She previously served on the Hayward City Council and represented California’s 10th Senate District. She holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California.

She defeated BART Board President Melissa Hernandez in the Aug. 18 special election for the remainder of Swalwell’s term. Wahab also won two crowded June primaries and will face Hernandez again in the Nov. 3 general election.

In her congressional remarks, Wahab called for cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, saying Americans are struggling with the rising costs of housing, utilities, groceries, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.

“As a policy maker, my goal is simple: to work with each and every one of you to deliver for the American people, regardless of party,” Wahab said.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren introduced Wahab on the House floor and highlighted her background and work on behalf of foster youth and vulnerable communities.

“Today, she makes history as the first Afghan American elected to Congress,” Lofgren said.