Energy & Infrastructure: Taliban officials say construction on the Afghanistan section of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat has passed the halfway mark, with 52% complete and 80 km laid so far, including 36.3 km already underground; crews have prepared 126 km of land and built 108 km of service roads, while Turkmenistan has shipped an additional 72.3 km to the site, with the 130-km Herat segment targeted for completion by end-2026. Agriculture & Water Use: Herat’s farmers have established about 2,500 hectares of pistachio orchards, with experts calling it a drought-friendly crop that needs relatively less water and can boost commercial horticulture; harvest is expected toward late August. Land & Livelihoods: Afghanistan’s land-grabbing commission reports identifying over 1.1 million jeribs of public pastureland in nine districts of Balkh, noting about 80% remains grazing land while the rest has been converted to farming, housing, or other uses. Trade & Industry Links: Afghan and Iranian business groups in Kabul pushed for stronger agricultural trade, including Iran’s interest in buying Afghan products and technical cooperation to raise productivity. Regional Research & Connectivity: The Taliban will host a Kabul forum of research institutions from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Azerbaijan to discuss connectivity, stability, trade, energy, transit, investment, and practical policy recommendations.