Americans have been shocked by videos of thousands of Afghans risking their lives to flee the Taliban’s return to power in their country – and then by an Islamic State suicide bombing and ensuing massacre by U.S. forces that together killed at least 170 people, including 13 U.S. troops. Even …
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Soros’ Dream: To Turn China Into a Neoliberal Grabitization Opportunity
In a Financial Times op-ed, “Investors in Xi’s China face a rude awakening” (August 30, 2021), George Soros writes that Xi’s “crackdown on private enterprise shows he does not understand the market economy. … Xi Jinping, China’s leader, has collided with economic reality. His crackdown on private enterprise has been …
Read More »Iranian forces battle group in Kurdistan province
Iran has fought Kurdish-Iranian groups recently. Iranian forces dismantled an unidentified terrorist group in the western Kurdistan province, state media outlets reported on Wednesday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly encountered the “anti-Islamic Revolution terrorist group” last Thursday when it entered Iranian territory from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. …
Read More »Africa emerges as next scene of confrontation between Israel, Iran
The decision by Algeria to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco could actually signal future confrontation between Israel and Iran over influence in Africa. On Aug. 24, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced his country was severing diplomatic relations with Morocco. At first look, the Algerian decision seemed to be independent …
Read More »Qatar in talks with Taliban, Turkey to reopen Kabul airport
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said there is “no clear indication” of when flights will resume at Hamid Karzai International Airport. Qatar is working with the Taliban and Turkey to restore operations at the Kabul airport “as soon as possible,” Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman …
Read More »Iran-Afghan trade has murky future under Taliban
While the chaos that followed the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan will present challenges to trade, resulting geopolitical shifts could provide some opportunities for Tehran. The Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan has raised major questions about what comes next for Iran-Afghan ties. The turmoil in Iran’s eastern neighbor — one of …
Read More »Afghanistan: Medics respond to the overwhelming health needs
In the wake of intense fighting and the rapid transfer of power to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (also known as the Taliban), people are facing widespread instability, mass displacement, and the disruption of basic services, including health care. Despite the challenges, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams continue …
Read More »With the Taliban Back in Kabul, Regional Powers Watch and Wait
On 15 August, the Taliban capped their drive for power in Afghanistan by taking Kabul, the country’s capital, for the first time since they ruled most of the country from 1996 to 2001. With the previous government’s collapse, the group is now the de facto power throughout the country and …
Read More »Afghanistan’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the humanitarian emergency there has become even more dire. This briefing note outlines the most pressing issues and steps to help relieve the suffering. Dramatic scenes at the Kabul airport of Afghans desperate to leave the country, and horrific bombings there, captured the …
Read More »Russia Calls for Clarification from the Netherlands About Support to Terrorists in Syria
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the Netherlands to present clarification about their support to terrorist organizations in Syria, SANA reports. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the authorities of the Netherlands to present clarification about Amsterdam’s support to terrorist organizations in Syria such as the so-called Sultan Murad group. …
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