Taliban

By Solaiman Fazel | (Informed Comment) | – – Despite the campaign promise to distance himself from Afghanistan, President Trump has now publically taken ownership of America’s Longest War, 2001-Present. Trump’s decision not to completely withdraw the armed forces or subcontract the warfare to Blackwater (a private military company) are clever choices for the wider […]

Afghanistan

Trump flip-flops on Afghanistan, opts for Years-long Quagmire

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The 16-years-long Afghanistan War has bedeviled Washington decision-makers since the US invasion of fall, 2001, which came in response to the attacks of September 11. In his speech on Monday night, Trump was primarily attempting to manipulate American domestic politics. He was trying to look presidential […]

Afghanistan

Trump’s Mulligan in Afghanistan: Mercenaries

contributors

By John Feffer | ( Foreign Policy in Focus) | – – Donald Trump loves to play golf. So far, he has teed off twice as many times as Barack Obama had at the same point in his term. Indeed, Trump has spent as much as 20 percent of his presidency at various golf clubs. […]

Afghanistan

Trump in a Firing Mood; is US Commander in Afghanistan Next?

contributors

Wochit News | (Video News Clip) | – – “U.S. officials said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s doubts about the war in Afghanistan has led to a delay in completing a new U.S. strategy in South Asia. Trump’s skepticism included a suggestion that the U.S. military commander in the region be fired. During a […]

Afghanistan

Not Winning in Afghanistan: Why?

contributors

By Solaiman M. Fazel | (Informed Comment) | – – Candidate Trump in his dynamic public rallies repeatedly criticized the former U.S. president for not winning anymore. Trump also mentioned, “If I’m president, we’ll win so much, you’ll get bored with winning.” Well it has now been a little over six months since the presidential […]

Afghanistan

Back to Quagmire: Beware endless US Troop Escalations in Afghanistan

contributors

By Danny Sjursen | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – We walked in a single file. Not because it was tactically sound. It wasn’t — at least according to standard infantry doctrine. Patrolling southern Afghanistan in column formation limited maneuverability, made it difficult to mass fire, and exposed us to enfilading machine-gun bursts. Still, in 2011, […]

Afghanistan

Popular Protest against US-backed Government in Kabul: What is going On?

contributors

By Solaiman M. Fazel | (Informed Comment) | – – Two days after a deadly blast in Kabul’s diplomatic quarter, why did thousands of residents and civil society activists participate in a protest near Kabul’s presidential palace calling for the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah? There are several lingering […]

Afghanistan

Could public anger over Kabul Bombing shake Afghan Government?

contributors

By Frud Bezhan. ( RFE/RL) | – – How did a sewage tank truck packed with explosives penetrate a heavily fortified area of the Afghan capital and carry out the deadliest attack in Kabul since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001? That is the question angry Afghans want the government to answer, and provide some explanation […]

Afghanistan

Is US Winning its Longest War? Huge Bomb Hits Kabul Embassy Row, kills at least 80

contributors

TeleSur | – – Health ministry spokesman Ismael Kawoosi said: “They are still bringing bodies, and wounded people to hospitals.” A powerful vehicle bomb has hit the diplomatic area of the Kabul. The blast reportedly claimed the lives of at least 80 people and injured another 350. Civilians are said to make up a large […]