Biden's push to release only half of Afghanistan's $7 billion reserves to its people would add 'insult to injury,' experts say

Main Idea: President Joe Biden moved to release half of Afghanistan’s frozen central bank reserves, but the plan left many Afghans waiting and drew criticism because the rest may still be tied up in court.

Key Points:

• Biden’s order would unlock $3.5 billion of the $7 billion in Afghan reserves held at the New York Federal Reserve.
• The other half stays frozen for now because families of 9/11 victims are pursuing legal claims tied to the Taliban.
• Experts said the decision was politically difficult, but also warned that Afghanistan’s people cannot wait as the economy and food crisis worsen.
• Critics said the money belongs to the Afghan people, not the Taliban, and that using it to settle Taliban-linked debts would be unfair.