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Coalition Strengthens Presence in al-Tanf and Training for Maghawir al-Thawra

The global coalition to defeat ISIS, which is led by the U.S., is intensifying its presence in the al-Tanf area and training an allied militia, according to al-Soruai Net. The Tanf military base in Syria is witnessing intensive training by the U.S.-backed international coalition for the Syrian factions present there, …

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Warlord Dostum back in the fray as Taliban overwhelm Afghan north

The scene was a familiar one as warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum jetted into northern Afghanistan this week — a promise of bloodshed and vengeance, and no apology for his vicious past. Despite a series of war crimes linked to his forces, the Afghan government is hoping Dostum’s military acumen and …

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Top anti-Taliban rebel pins his hopes on France

Massoud’s father may be a household name, but that’s no guarantee Macron will arm guerrillas in the Panjshir Valley. America may have abandoned Afghanistan, but the most prominent anti-Taliban rebel in the country is pinning his hopes on support from France. For Ahmad Massoud, France is the most natural place …

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Afghan holdout will struggle against Taliban assault, say analysts

The Panjshir Valley north of Afghanistan’s capital Kabul is the final major centre of resistance to the Taliban, but analysts say the fighters gathered there will struggle if the Islamist hardliners launch a full-scale attack. Surrounded by the high peaks of the Hindu Kush north of Kabul, the Panjshir has …

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Bypassing NATO’s Objections, Kosovo Quietly Builds its Army

Adiplomatic quarrel broke out between Slovakia and Hungary after the speaker of the Hungarian parliament, Laszlo Kover, spoke about past Slovak “sins” unforgiven by Hungarians during a ceremony in southwest Slovakia held in memory of Hungarians expelled at the end of World War II. The Slovak Foreign Ministry took umbrage …

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Fate of Migrants at Belarus-EU Border Risks Taking Darker Turn

The decision by Poland and the Baltic nations to legalise the pushback of migrants at the Belarusian border is leading to a dangerous game of ping pong with vulnerable people, as BIRN has witnessed. When BIRN came across Safaa Alnaseri near the village of Minkowce in northeast Poland, on the …

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Courts Chip Away at Migrant ‘Pushback’ Practices in EU

Local courts in several EU countries, including Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, have ruled in favour of refugees and migrants who were pushed back over the bloc’s external borders, but can they stop the practice altogether? It was raining. Ayoub and his six companions were soaked through and shivering in the …

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Iran Developing New Drone For ‘Special Purposes’

The Iranian Air Force is manufacturing a new generation of Kaman-class pilotless aircraft perfectly suited for a special operation, a top commander said. In comments on Saturday, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said his forces are developing Kaman-19 (bow-19) unmanned aerial vehicle for a special operation. He said …

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The Aftermath Of Two Decades In Afghanistan – OpEd

A loss of more than $2 trillion dollars, almost 2500 US casualties, four US presidents and two decades later, the United States, under the Biden administration left Afghanistan. However, the catch here is that it left the country at the mercy of the very group they spent twenty years trying …

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Welcome Home? Islamic State Returnees Test Balkan Countries’ Ability To Reintegrate – Analysis

The recent repatriation of families of ISIS fighters to Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia poses a tough challenge to all three countries to rehabilitate them back into society. On July 18, North Macedonia announced that it had repatriated 23 of its citizens who had spent the last few years on …

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