New York, UN – On December 10, 2025, the United States strongly rebuked the Afghan Taliban during a UN Security Council (UNSC) session. US Representative Amb. Jennifer Locetta asserted that the misery experienced by the Afghan people, such as poverty, unemployment, the absence of facilities, and the extreme limitations placed on women’s rights, is the result of the policies embraced by the Taliban.
Policies that Cause Harm
Ambassador Locetta was not shy in her assessment that the Taliban “are not good faith partners in dialogues” and “do not care about the well-being of the Afghan people.”
She has outlined how the regime is complicating the lives of its own citizens by hindering and distorting international assistance, which is debilitating key humanitarian efforts.
The US accused the regime of engaging in “hostage diplomacy” and ignoring the basic needs of its people. This also involves “impeding the functionality of UNAMA,” the UN’s assistance mission in Afghanistan.
The representative noted a “lack of results” from international engagement, indicating that the Taliban are not in good faith engaging in diplomacy such as the Doha Process.
UNAMA’s Future and Counterterrorism
Ambassador Locetta prompted the Security Council to be “skeptical of the Taliban” as it deliberates the future of the UNAMA mission. She proposed that, in case the prevailing situation does not allow UNAMA to perform its mandate, the Council should think about refocusing the mission on core peace and security matters with specific objectives.
Lastly, she stressed that the US priority is its citizens and the homeland. This includes two non-negotiable outcome goals, i.e., decreasing terrorist threats posed by Afghanistan and ensuring that all people who are unfairly held by the Taliban are released.
