Road Safety & Infrastructure: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works is pushing a second Kabul–Jalalabad highway route, starting from Bagrami and running through Kabul and Nangarhar districts, with sections under construction expected to finish within about three years; officials cite tough mountain terrain and flood damage as key hurdles, while residents and travelers hope it will cut congestion and improve passenger safety. Migration & Travel Risks: UNHCR and IOM data show a sharp 2026 return flow from Iran to Afghanistan—484,800 Afghans since the start of the year, including 404,400 deportations—highlighting how economic pressure and fear of return are reshaping cross-border movement. Border & Detention Fallout: Twenty-five drug-addicted nationals from Iran, Pakistan and Türkiye are receiving treatment at a Nimroz rehabilitation center after being sent to Afghanistan; some have finished care but remain due to unresolved return arrangements. Regional Security: Pakistan’s ISPR reports a Kalat operation on the N-25 highway that rescued 23 abductees and killed five militants, underscoring ongoing travel risks along major routes. Tourism Context: Ireland’s foreign ministers are traveling to New York for UN meetings and plan an Afghanistan-focused event on Afghan women and girls, a reminder that international attention can affect future travel and aid flows.