Three things worth your time this morning.
In Afghanistan, the UN Security Council heard on 16 September that five years of Taliban rule have brought relative stability but not peace. Afghanistan's UN delegate warned that "The absence of large-scale war should not be mistaken for sustainable peace", and noted that the Council's Monitoring Team has reported more than 20 terrorist groups. The FCDO still advises against all travel and says the risk of detention "is especially high if you have worked in the military". That applies directly to a veteran workforce.
In Venezuela, UN News reports that the UN investigators found the State institutions behind years of repression "remain fundamentally intact" after the change of leadership in January, and that no steps have been taken to disarm the colectivos. They also found a recurrent pattern of short-term arbitrary arrests since January. The FCDO warns that questioning on arrival can involve being held at the airport for hours or days. Brief principals for a long arrival interview.
For Asia travel, the FCDO says that from 15 September 2026, visa-exempt entry to Thailand allows a stay of up to 30 days for tourism only: "Visa-exempt entry does not cover business travel, including attending conferences, meetings or other business activities." Anyone travelling on a working detail needs the right visa before they fly. Thailand also introduced new deportation regulations on 28 August, under which foreign nationals may be deported without a criminal conviction if the authorities judge their conduct contrary to public order, public morals or the wellbeing of the Thai people.
Both main pieces are in full on the site today.
