Spain has offered itself as the EU’s hub to take in Afghans who have collaborated with its institutions over the years, as Germany said there was an emerging consensus within the bloc to also ease passage for a limited number of other people in need of protection from Taliban reprisals.
Resettlement Support: United Kingdom (Updated 09/09/21)
Update (09/09/2021): The UK government has released a factsheet for people evacuated from Afghanistan. It provides information on rights and the next steps regarding immigration status in the UK – read more GOV.UK
After the flights airlifting British citizens and local Afghan allies have stopped, the UK government announced that the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) would be updated to show the government’s commitment to protect the Afghan citizens who worked with and for UK organizations and help them evade the risks they are exposed to in Afghanistan.
Below we collect the latest information about ARAP and other related programs to provide an some guidance and overview for eligible people on what schemes exists, who is eligible, how to apply, etc.
Continue reading Resettlement Support: United Kingdom (Updated 09/09/21)Afghan refugees: Those who worked for UK can stay permanently
Afghans who worked for the British military and UK government will be able to move to the UK permanently, the Home Office has announced.
Those eligible will be given indefinite leave to remain, rather than the five years’ residency previously offered.
As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain
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 remainUS 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.