Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, has said Afghanistan is “undoubtedly” better off five years after the withdrawal of US forces, while acknowledging that the country continues to face significant challenges.

Speaking to RT India journalist Runjhun Sharma, Mujahid said the departure of foreign forces had restored Afghanistan’s independence and placed responsibility for rebuilding the country on Afghans themselves.

Referring to the collapse of the previous government and the US withdrawal in August 2021, Mujahid said Kabul wants to establish normal diplomatic relations with Washington, including the reopening of the US Embassy in Afghanistan and the establishment of an Afghan diplomatic mission in the United States.

He also called for the lifting of sanctions against Afghanistan and the release of the country’s frozen assets, arguing that such measures could contribute to improved relations between Kabul and Western countries.

Mujahid described Russia as an important regional partner and said the Islamic Emirate is seeking to expand cooperation with Moscow in areas including trade, reconstruction, fuel and energy.

The Islamic Emirate spokesman also said Kabul would not alter its domestic policies in exchange for international recognition.

Addressing restrictions on women and girls, Mujahid said Afghanistan has its own religious beliefs, national interests and laws, which he argued should be respected.

Uzbekistan will continue its constructive policy toward Afghanistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, reaffirming Tashkent’s commitment to a pragmatic and balanced approach to its southern neighbor.

Mirziyoyev made the remarks during a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, where he outlined the country’s broader foreign policy priorities.

“We will continue pursuing a multifaceted, balanced and measured foreign policy to turn Uzbekistan into an important centre of international diplomacy,” he said.

Referring specifically to Afghanistan, the Uzbek president said Tashkent would consistently maintain its constructive approach toward the neighboring country.

Uzbekistan has repeatedly stressed the importance of regional stability, economic cooperation and expanding connectivity with Afghanistan, while supporting greater engagement with Kabul as part of broader Central Asian cooperation.

Mirziyoyev’s remarks come as Afghanistan’s ties with Central Asian countries remain a key focus of regional diplomatic and economic discussions, particularly over trade, transit and connectivity.

The US Congress has extended the mandate of the Afghanistan War Commission by one year, giving the independent, bipartisan panel additional time to complete its review of the two-decade US war in Afghanistan.

The commission said in a statement that congressional leaders from relevant committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate, representing both major political parties, approved the extension under the legislation that established the panel.

The commission’s final report is now expected in August 2027, a year later than originally scheduled.

According to the commission, the additional time will allow it to conduct further research, deepen its investigation and ensure that its findings and recommendations are based on comprehensive evidence.

The panel said it will continue working with Congress and the executive branch as it completes its assessment, with the aim of ensuring that lessons from the Afghanistan war inform future US foreign and military policy.

Established by Congress in December 2021, the Afghanistan War Commission is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the US war in Afghanistan.

Its mandate includes examining key decisions made throughout the conflict, including those preceding the US-led intervention in 2001, as well as the factors that shaped US policy and military operations over the following two decades.

The commission is also expected to identify lessons from the war and recommend measures to help the United States avoid similar failures in future military and foreign policy decisions.

The US-led military intervention in Afghanistan began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. Nearly two decades later, US and allied forces withdrew from the country in August 2021, after which the Afghan Republic collapsed and the Islamic Emirate returned to power.