Asia

By Ann Jones | (Tomdispatch.com) | – – Ten months ago, on December 28, 2014, a ceremony in Kabul officially marked the conclusion of America’s very long war in Afghanistan. President Obama called that day “a milestone for our country.” After more than 13 years, he said, “our combat mission in Afghanistan is ending, and […]

Afghanistan

Earthquake in Pakistan & Afghanistan hits Poor Worse

contributors

Channel 4 News | (Video News Report) | – – “More than 200 people have been killed in a powerful quake which shook areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and was felt as far as New Delhi.” Channel 4 News: “Pakistan earthquake”

China

The new Chinese Century? Can a Green China with no Mideast Entanglements Surpass US?

Neil Thompson

London (Informed Comment) – In the last fifteen years the United States has spent a total of between $4 trillion and $6 trillion on its twin wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, all the while running up its national debt, and damaging its international prestige. The root cause of these foreign entanglements, and America’s costly position […]

Afghanistan

Putin says Afghan Situation ‘Close to Critical’: Will he intervene there, Too?

contributors

By Frud Bezhan | ( RFE / RL) | – – Russia has signaled its willingness to boost its involvement in Afghan security in a power play that could help President Vladimir Putin burnish perceptions of Moscow’s global significance while dealing a fresh blow to Western influence. The indications come with Russian military planes carrying […]

Afghanistan

Still underestimating al-Qaeda & Taliban despite 1500 Military Analysts

contributors

By Tom Engelhardt | ( Tomdispatch.com ) | – – That figure stunned me. I found it in the 12th paragraph of a front-page New York Times story about “senior commanders” at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) playing fast and loose with intelligence reports to give their air war against ISIS an unjustified sheen of success: […]

Afghanistan

If Russia is Region’s new Gun for Hire, Afghanistan Warlord wants to Bring it In

Juan Cole

By Frud Bezhan | (RFE/ RL) | – – With the Taliban threatening to overrun large parts of Afghanistan, First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum is seeking help from an old ally — Russia. h/t Wikipedia A graduate of the Soviet Military Academy and a general in the Soviet-backed Afghan army, Dostum is hoping his […]

Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Elite Special Forces led in Recovering most of Kunduz from Taliban

contributors

By Frud Bezhan | (RFE/RL) | – – Afghanistan’s much-maligned security forces were facing their greatest challenge yet in trying to retake a key northern city from the Taliban — and expectations were not high. But, when the smoke cleared, Kunduz was back in government control, and predictions of a bloody and protracted street war […]

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: The Taliban reign of Fear in Kunduz belies Charm Offensive

contributors

By Frud Bezhan | ( RFE/ RL) | – – An expected Afghan government counteroffensive to retake Kunduz from the Taliban appears to have largely stalled as troops await reinforcements.” “The citizens of Kunduz should not worry about safeguarding their lives and properties. Carry out your ordinary livelihoods in absolute security. All traders, workers, staff […]

Afghanistan

The Final Collapse of Bush’s Nation-Building: Kunduz falls to Taliban

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – On Monday, the Taliban swept into the provincial capital of Kunduz, taking it in half a day from a large and well-equipped Afghan National Army force. Tuesday’s riposte had only mixed success, with the ANA saying it had taken back the (no-empty) prison. An attempt to […]