Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence

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U.S. builds new blacklist to punish countries that hold Americans hostage

As of May 2026: Accused of detaining Americans as political leverage

The United States has designated Afghanistan as a 'state sponsor of wrongful detention,' accusing the Taliban of holding Americans as bargaining chips. Afghanistan is the second country on the blacklist, created by a September 2025 executive order.

Updated May 30