Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command, on Monday warned about Iran’s destabilizing activities and the roles of Russia and China in the Middle East. During a special briefing, he spoke about his visit to Iraq and Syria and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. “Another priority is deterring Iran’s …
Read More »The U.K.’s Incoherent China Strategy
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, delivered a speech in Parliament setting out measures to ensure that British businesses do not profit from what he called the “industrial scale” forced labor of minority Uighur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region. However, Raab’s remarks made no mention of …
Read More »Taliban Pledge No Retaliation Against Afghans Who Worked for Foreign Troops
The Taliban have urged Afghans who worked for departing U.S. and NATO militaries in Afghanistan over the years not to “desert” their war-ravaged nation for fear of retribution by the insurgent group. Monday’s Taliban pledge comes as thousands of Afghans employed, mostly as interpreters, by the United States and allied …
Read More »Pakistan Slams Afghan National Security Chief, Accuses Him of Spoiling Peace Process
Pakistan’s top diplomat on Saturday publicly stated for the first time that his ministry had severed ties with Afghanistan’s national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, over incendiary remarks about its southern neighbor that undermined regional peace efforts. Shah Mehmood Qureshi made the disclosure a week after a highly placed Pakistani official …
Read More »Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Travels to Afghanistan, Qatar, and the Region
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and an U.S. inter-agency delegation, including the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and USAID departed on June 4 for travel to Kabul, Doha, and the region. In Kabul, the delegation will meet with the Afghanistan government, other political leaders, and …
Read More »Former US President Donald Trump denounces Fauci, China; hints at 2024 run
“I am not the one trying to undermine American democracy. I’m the one that’s trying to save it. Please remember that.” Former President Donald Trump on Saturday sharply attacked US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, demanded reparations from China and derided Facebook CEO …
Read More »The U.K.’s Incoherent China Strategy
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, delivered a speech in Parliament setting out measures to ensure that British businesses do not profit from what he called the “industrial scale” forced labor of minority Uighur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region. However, Raab’s remarks made no mention of …
Read More »“I Can’t Quit You Baby”: Relationship between Afghan Taliban & Al-Qaeda Remains Strong
A new UN report indicates that ties between the Taliban and al-Qaeda remain strong and could grow stronger following the U.S. troop withdrawal. Many remain skeptical that the Taliban possesses either the will or the capability to prevent al-Qaeda from rebuilding an external operations unit. If Afghanistan descends into chaos, …
Read More »Lavrov: India Confirms Commitment to Buying S-400 Systems From Russia
India is firm in its commitment to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia, and the contracts are being implemented, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. “I would like to point out the implementation of the contracts for the supply of S-400 systems to India. Here we see …
Read More »US Military Says Afghan Pullout Nears Halfway Mark
The U.S. pullout from Afghanistan is speeding up, with military planners saying almost half of U.S. forces and equipment has been sent home or destroyed. U.S. Central Command Tuesday said the withdrawal is “between 30-44%” complete and that six facilities have now been turned over to Afghan security forces, with …
Read More »