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TKD MONITORING: Trump Says He Will Act If U.S. Citizen Detained by Taliban Is Innocent U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the American media outlet NewsNation that he does not want any U.S. citizen to remain in detention under the Taliban. According to the report, a U.S. national identified as Dennis Coyle has been held by the Taliban for nearly nine months. His sister has said she has been unable to communicate with him for several months and has called for his immediate release. Trump stated that if the detained American is found to be innocent, he would take a firm and decisive stance on the issue.

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Afghanistan to Halt Clearance of Medicines Imported from Pakistan Starting February 8 The Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday that, following an order issued by the Economic Deputy Office of the Prime Minister, customs authorities across Afghanistan will stop clearing medicines imported from Pakistan beginning February 8. The ministry also reiterated its call on Afghan traders to resolve and finalize their outstanding financial obligations in Pakistan within the next 19 days, warning that no extensions would be granted.

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Trump Says Afghanistan Withdrawal Should Have Been Conducted Through Bagram Air Base U.S. President Donald Trump said during a press conference at the White House last night that the 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan should have been conducted through Bagram Air Base, not Kabul airport. Referring to the deadly explosion near Kabul airport during the evacuation, which killed 13 U.S. service members, Trump described the incident as “the lowest point in U.S. history.” He blamed the withdrawal on former President Joe Biden, calling the operation a “disaster” and a major strategic failure. Trump said he had planned to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan but insisted it would have been done “with dignity and strength,” arguing that his administration would not have allowed the situation to unfold as it did under his successor.