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Franz J. Marty is a freelance journalist and, since September 2023, based in Tbilisi, Georgia, from where he covers the wider Caucasus region and also keeps a close eye on Afghanistan. Before moving to Tbilisi, Franz J. Marty has, between December 2014 and June 2023, including during the Taliban’s overthrow of the Afghan Republic in August 2021, lived and worked in Afghanistan. His work in Afghanistan included exclusive interviews with Taliban and members of the self-declared Islamic State, embeds, as well as unaccompanied investigative reporting from various, at times remote and hostile corners of the country. His articles have been published by, amongst others, The Diplomat, the Swiss Institute for Global Affairs, Inkstick, The Central Asia - Caucasus Analyst, The Afghanistan Analysts Network, and the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. He has also done numerous live hits for tv channels such as CNN, DW, and France 24 and radio stations such as BBC World Service and RFI. He can be followed @franzjmarty on Twitter.
Portfolio
Since autumn 2023, there have been claims that a port in Ochamchire, a district in Abkhazia on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, will become a new hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and that this could extend the bloody war in Ukraine to the Caucasus. However, recent satellite and drone imagery of the port in Ochamchire obtained by the Swiss Institute for Global ALairs (SIGA) shows that, so far, nothing of relevance has happened there — and that the prospect of a major Russian naval base in Ochamchire remains unlikely.
No Danger in Kamdesh: The Surprising Reality of Taliban Amnesty for Former Afghan Soldiers
The article discusses the situation of former Afghan National Security Forces following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Despite fears of revenge killings, the Taliban have announced a general amnesty. While there have been reports of former soldiers being killed, there is no evidence of a centrally orchestrated revenge campaign. The author, Franz J. Marty, visits Kamdesh, a district in eastern Afghanistan, and finds that the amnesty is respected there, with former soldiers living without fear of the Taliban. However, the return to their homes was not voluntary for many, as they lost their jobs and could not afford to live in cities like Kabul post-takeover. The article also touches on the economic hardships faced by returnees, the lack of job opportunities, and the decline in living standards, including access to education and healthcare.
Afghanistan’s rural villages face persistent neglect despite regime changes
The article discusses the persistent neglect of remote Afghan villages like Galai in the Paktika province, despite decades of changing regimes and significant Western intervention. Villagers have seen little to no development aid or public services, leading to a lack of support for the Western-backed government and a reliance on self-sufficiency. The Taliban, both during their first rule and since their recent return to power, have also failed to provide aid or development to these areas. The U.S. military's initial disregard for rural areas allowed the Taliban to use them as strategic points. With the U.S. withdrawal, international aid programs have been severely impacted. The article includes perspectives from local residents and experts, highlighting the challenges faced by NGOs in delivering aid to these regions and the complex relationship between the Taliban, foreign aid, and the needs of rural Afghan communities.
A Remote Corner of Afghanistan Offers a Peek Into the Future of the Country
The article discusses the aftermath of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, focusing on the remote district of Kamdesh in Nuristan province. It reflects on the nearly 20-year U.S. presence in Afghanistan, which ended with the Taliban regaining control. The piece highlights the long disengagement process, culminating in the abandonment of Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh, which had been vacated by U.S. forces in 2009. The article examines the legacy of the U.S. mission, noting the lack of lasting infrastructure and development, despite initial investments. Locals express mixed feelings about the U.S. withdrawal, with some lamenting the lack of fulfilled promises and others acknowledging the security provided by the Taliban. The article also touches on the economic challenges and restrictive Taliban laws faced by residents. The overall sentiment is one of missed opportunities for development and apprehension about the future under Taliban rule.
Taliban Efforts to Rebuild Afghanistan
The article discusses the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, particularly in the Paktika province, following the Taliban's takeover. The Taliban have begun rebuilding roads and government buildings, but progress is inconsistent. In some districts, such as Sarhawzah, there have been tangible improvements with renovated buildings and new construction projects. However, in other areas like Gyan, efforts are minimal, with insufficient resources provided for significant reconstruction. The article highlights the challenges faced by the Taliban government, which is under international sanctions and has inherited a dysfunctional administration. It also points out the economic downturn caused by the Taliban's takeover, which has left many Afghans to rely on self-help initiatives. The reconstruction of Afghanistan is portrayed as a daunting task, with the current efforts by the Taliban and local populations being insufficient to address the extensive needs of the country.
In Search of Illegal Arms Traffickers in Afghanistan — an insight into Afghanistan's black arms trade based on exclusive reporting from a smugglers' den at the Afghan-Pakistani border and an interview with an arms dealer.
Latest Airstrikes in Badakhshan: Are US Claims About Targeting ETIM Credible?
The article discusses US airstrikes in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, targeting alleged Uyghur extremists from the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). The authors, Ted Callahan and Franz J. Marty, question the US claims, citing a lack of evidence that the few Uyghur extremists in Badakhshan pose a direct cross-border threat. They detail the airstrikes' targets and question the presence of Uyghur extremists and the ETIM in the region. The article also covers the historical context of foreign militant activity in northern Afghanistan, the displacement of Central Asian militants, and the exaggerated narratives of cross-border threats. It suggests that US claims may be aimed at addressing concerns of China and Tajikistan or justifying military actions in remote areas. The article concludes that the narrative of Uyghur terror threats in Badakhshan does not match the reality and that the airstrikes seem to be an anomaly rather than the start of a broader campaign.
Chinese Troops in the Little Pamir: A Curious Episode of Sino-Afghan Relations
The article discusses the evidence of Chinese troops conducting joint patrols with Afghan forces in the Little Pamir region near the Afghan-Chinese border. Despite photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts, the Afghan government denies such patrols occurred. China's interest in the region is driven by concerns over Uyghur extremists from Xinjiang crossing the border. The article details China's increasing military involvement in Afghanistan and the surrounding region, including agreements and military exercises with neighboring countries. The author, Franz J. Marty, suggests that the Afghan government may be unaware of the patrols or that there were procedural flaws in establishing them. The article also downplays the likelihood of Uyghur extremists crossing the remote and inaccessible Afghan-Chinese border.
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