Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, gave reporters an overview of the last hours of the military pullout, the number of remaining American citizens and the steps the military took to avoid their equipment to fall into Taliban hands.
Continue reading As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remainMonthly Archives: August 2021
US declares it has left Afghanistan
The last US aircraft has taken off from the Hamid Karzai Airport, Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie announced at a Pentagon briefing.
Venice Film Festival to host Discussion Panel on Afghanistan
The 78th Venice International Film Festival announced a panel discussion on September 4th about the crisis in Afghanistan with special attention to the situation of Afghan filmmakers and artists.
Continue reading Venice Film Festival to host Discussion Panel on AfghanistanTaliban may have access to biometric data collected by the US
In the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and the ouster of the Afghan national government, alarming reports indicate that the insurgents could potentially access biometric data collected by the U.S. to track Afghans, including people who worked for U.S. and coalition forces.
Continue reading Taliban may have access to biometric data collected by the USThere are no good options in dealing with the Taliban
In its editorial the Guardian describes the difficulties in dealing with the Taliban without any presence in the country.
While the West warns the Taliban that they have to earn their diplomatic recognition
Continue reading There are no good options in dealing with the TalibanCorruption and cronyism behind Afghanistan’s Collapse
Zack Kopplin answers the question “why did the Afghan National Army not fight?” by focusing on the widespread corruption and cronyism using the example of SOS international, a US company deeply tied to the American military and intelligence services, and its connections with Hashmat Ghani, the brother of Afghanistan’s former president Ashraf Ghani
Biden Deserves Credit, not Blame for Afghanistan
David Rothkopf, a political scientist, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, argues that “President Biden deserves credit, not blame” for the “political courage to fully end America’s involvement”
In 2018, Rothkopf became a registered foreign agent and media consultant for the United Arab Emirates (The Intercept), but his piece in the Atlantic is still worth a read.
The U.S. military is gone. How are Afghans going to get out of Afghanistan now?
NBC News outlines the situation of Afghans wanting to leave the country now that the final evacuation flight has left
China’s Tang Dynasty and Afghanistan, the Graveyard of Empires
Afghanistan’s geographical location has always put it in the middle of the plans of greater powers. This article outlines how before the British and Russians engaged in the “Great Game” China had its own experience with the strategic importance of Afghanistan.
Final UK evacuation flight for Afghan nationals has left Kabul airport
The Guardian reports that the final UK evacuation flight purely for Afghan nationals has left Kabul airport. Any further flights will also have UK diplomatic and military personnel onboard.
Continue reading Final UK evacuation flight for Afghan nationals has left Kabul airport