Taliban Turns to Former US-Linked Advisers to Restore Foreign Aid Flow

DID Press: Newly disclosed documents indicate that the Taliban has recruited individuals with prior ties to US forces in an effort to rebuild trust with international donors and offset declining foreign assistance to Afghanistan.

One directive shows the Taliban leadership instructing the Ministry of Public Health to appoint Abdullah Israel Aryan as an adviser responsible for oversight and coordination with non-governmental organizations. The order, issued in late 2024, described his experience working with foreign partners as “notable” and framed the appointment as a step toward restoring international confidence and ensuring aid delivery to vulnerable populations.

Sources within the Taliban administration said the office of Hibatullah Akhundzada and the group’s intelligence directorate were informed of the decision. Verified information indicates that Aryan has accompanied Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali during official meetings and field visits.

Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that efforts to recruit advisers with international experience intensified after reductions in U.S. assistance. Nearly five years into Taliban rule, many skilled professionals have either left the country or remain unemployed domestically.

The developments come amid reports of arrests and killings involving former security personnel and a broader contraction of government structures, with authorities reportedly reducing administrative staffing by roughly 20 percent as foreign funding declines.