John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), pointed to a pattern of disastrously managed American wars over the decades, telling reporters on Thursday that Washington is all but guaranteed to make the same mistakes again, even as it extracts itself from the longest conflict in US history. …
Read More »Biden doubles funding for ‘unexpected needs’ of Afghan refugees as ex-interpreter abandoned by Pentagon gets BEHEADED by Taliban
Biden overrode his own June 11 decision to commit an amount “not to exceed $46 million” for the purpose, according to a White House announcement on Friday. While the wording reflects the statutory requirements of the 1962 law under which the funding is provided, Biden explicitly mentioned “victims of conflict, …
Read More »Austria’s Kurz vows ‘no stop’ to deportations of Afghan asylum seekers after policewoman assaulted
“I wish the injured policewoman a speedy recovery,” Kurz said after the attack on Wednesday, as quoted by Austrian media. It’s unacceptable when people come to us for protection, but neither abide by our laws nor accept our values. Incidents like this show why there must be no stop to …
Read More »Multiple rockets land near Afghan presidential palace during Eid prayers in Kabul (VIDEO)
A live television broadcast on Tuesday morning showed a number of officials, including President Ghani, continuing on with their prayers even as the blasts rocked the area. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or injuries. At least three rockets were fired from the north of the capital and …
Read More »Afghan refugees who aided US to be housed at Fort Lee military base with families while awaiting final visa approval
The first set of applicants will be taken to Fort Lee, Virginia, according to a Defense Department notice given to members of Congress. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the base will be an “initial relocation site” for refugees whose visa statuses are the closest to completion. Over 2,500 applicants …
Read More »Risk of Afghan instability ‘overflowing’ across region, Russian FM says, as Taliban insurgents gain ground following US withdrawal
Addressing a regional security conference on Friday, Moscow’s top diplomat said that “the uncertainty of the development of the military-political situation in this country and around it has increased.” “Unfortunately, in recent days we have witnessed a rapid degradation of the situation in Afghanistan … It is obvious that in …
Read More »Sanctions against Taliban could be lifted as part of Afghan peace process, top Russian diplomat tells RT in wake of US withdrawal
On Monday, one of the Islamist faction’s top political envoys said it had used a meeting with Russian counterparts to request support in having the restrictions quashed at the United Nations. The Taliban is currently subject to asset freezes, arms embargoes and a travel ban. However, while officially designated as …
Read More »Biden to announce ‘Operation Allied Refuge’ to get revenge-wary Afghan translators into US – Reuters
Reuters reported the Biden administration’s plans on Wednesday, citing two anonymous sources. The plan will see the administration charter commercial aircraft to bring Afghan translators who aided US forces in the country to the US via the Special Immigrant Visa process. The translators will leave Afghanistan amid the US military’s …
Read More »Taliban claim key Afghan border crossing with Pakistan as insurgent group nets new territories
Taliban forces captured Wesh, a town in the southern Afghan province, on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the militant group, Zabihullah Mujahid. He also said that an important road linking to the Wesh-Chaman border crossing with Pakistan was also under their control. Afghan troops reportedly surrendered the key trade …
Read More »Joe Biden’s precipitous retreat from Afghanistan abandons both the Afghan people and America’s credibility as an ally
Joe Biden is living proof that American politicians live in an artificial universe of their own construct. In a televised presentation to the American people on July 8, 2021, the US President discussed the status of the ongoing withdrawal of US military forces from Afghanistan, announcing that this mission would …
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