In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, American citizen George Glezmann has been released by the Taliban after two and a half years in captivity. His release marks the first time U.S. officials have engaged in direct talks with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities within the country since the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Glezmann, who was detained by the Taliban in December 2022, was declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. government in September 2023. His freedom came after a high-level meeting in Kabul between Adam Boehler, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Hostage Affairs, and Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s de facto foreign minister. The Taliban stated that Glezmann’s release was made on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of goodwill toward the United States.
Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who was part of the delegation, took to social media platform X to announce the development. He emphasized that the Taliban agreed to release Glezmann as a goodwill gesture to President Trump and the American people.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes. They expressed their commitment to engaging with all parties, particularly the United States, on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests. The Taliban also extended gratitude to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for their role in facilitating Glezmann’s release.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X, “George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he’s on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra. Welcome home, George!”
The announcement has been met with relief and celebration, particularly from Glezmann’s family and supporters, who have long advocated for his freedom. As Glezmann returns home to reunite with his wife, the U.S. government continues to emphasize its commitment to securing the release of all wrongfully detained Americans abroad.
European wine and dairy producers are facing growing uncertainty as new U.S. tariffs threaten to disrupt exports to one of their most lucrative market...
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference wrapped up in Rome on Friday, but the vision of rebuilding the war-torn country remains largely theoretical am...
A preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that both engines of the Air India Flight AI-171 s...
Norway could soon receive a major boost to its airborne defence, as Washington signals readiness to expand military cooperation through a new high-val...
A British man accused of running a $100 million fake wine loan scam pleaded not guilty in New York, denying claims that he sold investors a vintage co...
Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government by accepting the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, marking a significant diplomatic shift.
Russia has officially become the first country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government has dismissed a recent United Nations report on the country’s security, human rights, and economic situation, calling it inaccurate and misleading.
In a significant development for Afghanistan-Russia relations, Zamir Kabulov, Special Envoy of the Russian President, held high-level talks with Taliban officials in Kabul, signaling a further warming of ties between the two nations.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was successfully held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, highlighting the region’s revival and the deepening economic cooperation among member states.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport and Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Works have reached an agreement on the construction of a new railway line to connect Central Asia and South Asia, which will increase the efficiency of the North-South corridor.
Two of China’s biggest electric-vehicle makers may have to return a combined 373 million yuan (about $53 million) in state aid after a government audit said nearly 22,000 cars sold up to 2020 should never have qualified for clean-energy incentives.
Uzbekistan and the State of Eritrea signed a Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations through their respective UN Missions.
China said it is ready to "continuously" boost strategic coordination with Moscow. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday that Beijing is prepared to help safeguard both countries’ security and development interests.
The United States has imposed sanctions on 22 entities linked to a transnational network engaged in illicit oil trade on behalf of the Iranian regime.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment