Long‑Lost Afghan Cash: A Verdict That Keeps the Taliban in Check
Picture this: A US judge in Manhattan says your chances of snatching the Afghanistan Central Bank’s billions of dollars are about as likely as finding a leprechaun in a parking lot.
Why the Judge Stopped the Transfer
Magistrate Sarah Netburn closed the deal after a flurry of lawsuits from victims of the 9‑11 attacks. She ruled that the bank – Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) – was immune from US court jurisdiction. In other words, the bank can’t legally be seized by a foreign court. Netburn warned that letting the money go would be tantamount to recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, something only the US President can do.
“The Taliban’s victims have fought for years for justice, accountability, and compensation,” Netburn wrote. “But the law limits what compensation the court may authorise, keeping DAB’s assets out of the courts’ hands.”
What’s Next for the Terror‑Tangled Litigation
District Judge George Daniels, who also steers the case, will keep an eye on Netburn’s recommendation. He can either accept it or politely return it for further comment. It’s like a waiting‑room refresher for the four creditor groups that sued a mix of defendants, from al‑Qaeda to the Taliban themselves, hoping to trip up the courts for money.
History’s a fragile thing: Back in 2001 the Taliban let al‑Qaeda loose in Afghanistan. Fast‑forward two decades, the US kicked the Taliban out, only to see them return once the Western troops pulled out of the country.
Key Numbers & Status Updates
- The affected banks hold a whopping $7 billion (≈ S$9.7 billion) in New York’s Federal Reserve.
- In February, President Joe Biden earmarked $3.5 billion of that sum “for the benefit of the Afghan people” – leaving the rest up for legal gymnastics.
- 2 billion dollars of Afghan reserves hitch a ride in other countries.
What the Lawyers Say (Or Don’t)
Lawyers representing the creditor groups haven’t yet responded to our voicemail. They’re still chasing any legal loophole to claim a share of those frozen Afghan coffers.
Social Media Echoes
Shawn Van Diver, head of #AfghanEvac (the folks who evacuate and resettle Afghans), said, “The judge has done the right thing here.” He hopes the untouched funds’ll help the struggling Afghan economy – not pad the Taliban’s wallets.
In a Nutshell
In short, the judge’s ruling stops anyone from pulling the Afghan Central Bank’s assets from New York. The 9‑11 victims may still have to fight on, but the US legal system is taking a cautious step to avoid stepping on presidential diplomatic toes.
Meanwhile, the US sanctions prevent any financial dealings with the Taliban but still allow humanitarian aid for Afghan people. So the story’s not over, but at least for now, the big money stays where it belongs.
