Editor (2021-06-29). Geopolitics, profit, and poppies: how the CIA turned Afghanistan into a failed narco-state. mronline.org The war in Afghanistan has looked a lot like the war on drugs in Latin America and previous colonial campaigns in Asia, with a rapid militarization of the area and the empowerment of pliant local elites. | June 29, 2021…

_____ (2021-06-29). Afghanistan's Drug Production Is a Global Crisis. strategic-culture.org There is a grave international crisis looming, and its base is Afghanistan, Brian Cloughley writes. | In May 2003, Senator Joseph R Biden of Delaware gave evidence at a U.S. Senate Committee hearing on "Narco-terrorism: international drug trafficking and terrorism — a dangerous mix" and

sputniknews (2021-06-28). From 'Soldiers of God' to 'Terrorists': Story of Washington's Broken Promise to Afghan Mujahideen. sputniknews.com The Taliban*, also known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), is continuing to make gains on the ground. According to some estimates, the IEA has taken from 50 to 90 districts since May 2021, with some of them being seized without a single shot fired. What's behind the Taliban's recent offensive?

Staff (2021-06-28). Headlines for June 28, 2021. democracynow.org Iraq Condemns Violation of Sovereignty After U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, Judge Sentences Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin to 22.5 Years in Prison for Murdering George Floyd, WHO Urges Vaccinated People to Keep Taking COVID Precautions as Delta Variant Spreads Across Globe, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa Among Nations Ordering New Restrictions Amid Surge in Cases, Biden Says U.S. Will Continue to Support Afghan Gov't After Withdrawal as Taliban Takes New Territory, 9 Dead, 150+ Missing in Miami Condo Collapse as 2018 Report Shows Building Was Vulnerable, VP Kamala Harris Visits El Paso on U.S.-Mexico Bord…

Anonymous103 (2021-06-28). Chaos And Insecurity In Somalia. southfront.org Al-Shabaab has in the past year staged multiple attacks against African Union bases in Somalia [Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP/File]Militants of the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group have captured a military unit in central Somalia. The terrorist attack in the village of Vasil was carried out with a car loaded with explosives in front of a military checkpoint, followed by a storm by the assault groups. | According to the al-Shabaab's sources, more than thirty soldiers from the 21st Division of the Somali…

Peoples Dispatch (2021-06-22). UN criticized for leaving out Israel and Saudi coalition from list of violators of children's rights. peoplesdispatch.org Despite having verified cases of child right violations, Israel, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and several parties in Afghanistan were not included in this years' UN report on Children and Armed Conflict…

Jason Ditz (2021-06-22). Afghan Commandos Routed After Promised Reinforcements Never Showed Up. news.antiwar.com Last week, The commandos hadn't realized that they were on their own, and it was noted at the time they sent vehicles to pick up reinforcements. They were meant to have 50 troops as backup, and even more reinforcements in the area. They were sent to take a district from the Taliban. | Clearl…

Morteza Ahmadi Al Hashem (2021-06-22). Balkh city in Afghanistan falls to Taliban: report. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 22 (MNA) — The Taliban military forces took control of Balkh, outskirt of Mazar-i-Sharif city in Afghanistan on Monday.

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-06-22). Iran's border with Afghanistan Herat province reopened. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 22 (MNA) — Local officials in Afghanistan's Herat siad Tuesday the reopening of Iran's border for travelers with business, medical, student and resident visas.

Morteza Ahmadi Al Hashem (2021-06-22). Taliban seizes Sher Khan crossing in Afghanistan-Tajikistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 22 (MNA) — The Taliban took control of Sher Khan Trade Border Crossing on Afghanistan-Tajikistan border on Tuesday.

ŸÖÿ±ÿ∂€åŸá ÿ±ÿ≠ŸÖÿߟ܀å (2021-06-22). Raeisi calls for expansion of ties, coop. with Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 22 (MNA) —In a telephone conversation with Afghan President, Iran's President-elect Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi stressed the need to deepen relations and expanding cooperation between Tehran and Kabul.

news.un (2021-06-22). Time running out to prevent 'worst case scenario' arising in Afghanistan. news.un.org With all the major indicators for Afghanistan's security and development looking "negative or stagnant" as international troops withdraw, the threats that lie ahead cannot be overstated, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Anonymous007 (2021-06-22). Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 22, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 22, clashes between Taliban and Afghan Army were reported in the Baghlan-e Jadid district in Baghlan province | On June 22, Taliban reportedly captured Aliabad district in Kunduz province | On June 22, Taliban reportedly captured Nahrain district in Baghlan province | On June 22, Taliban reportedly captured Chahar Dare district in Kunduz province | 234 Taliban militants were killed and 103 others were wounded as a result of Afghan Army operations in Logar, Nanga…

Anonymous007 (2021-06-22). Turkey, Iran And Afghanistan Foreign Ministers Discuss Taliban Issue. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | A trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan was held in Antalya, Turkey on June 20th."Started last day of Antalya Diplomacy Forum with a trilateral meeting with Javad Zarif and Haneef Atmar," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted. | Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar described the meeting as "first & very successful." In a tweet, he termed it a "crucial mechanism" to coordinate combined efforts for peace, security, counter-terrorism, and…

Dave DeCamp (2021-06-22). Details of Biden's Post-Withdrawal Afghanistan Plans Still Unclear. news.antiwar.com While the Pentagon says the Afghanistan withdrawal is over 50 percent complete, details The US plans to keep supporting the Afghan military financially. Biden

Staff (2021-06-21). Headlines for June 21, 2021. democracynow.org More Transmissible Delta Variant Becoming Dominant, Threatening COVID Recovery, Cuba's Soberana 02 Vaccine Offers Hope as COVID Surges in Latin America, Brazil Tops 500,000 Deaths, Japan, Uganda Impose New Measures Amid Mounting COVID Cases, Hard-Line Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi Wins Iranian Presidency as Nuclear Deal Talks Continue, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Meet with Biden Amid Surging Violence and Taliban Advance, MSF Warns Access Urgently Needed to Bring Aid to Syria's Idlib Region, Authorities Uncover Likely Remains of Missing Indigenous Activist 3 Weeks After Disappearance, Ethiopia Holds Twice-Del…

Jason Ditz (2021-06-21). Taliban Enter Key North Afghan Capitals. news.antiwar.com With an ongoing offensive in northern Afghanistan contesting a number of key districts, the Locals reported the Taliban seized the entrance to Kunduz, and said there was panic all over the city as the sounds of gunfire could be heard, and Taliban fighters were fanning out around the city. The Taliban last held Kunduz in…

Jason Ditz (2021-06-21). Pakistan PM Rules Out Hosting CIA Bases. news.antiwar.com In comments with interviewers, Pakistani Premier Imran Khan The CIA has been very public in seeking new basing options for its war in Afghanistan. Previously operating off of US military bases in Afghanistan, they don't have a lot of options for where to go when the US withdraws. | The CIA has floated the idea of getting new bases in Pakistan or former Soviet states in…

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-06-21). Former Afghan president says US has failed in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 21 (MNA) — Hamid Karzai, former president of Afghanistan said that the US has failed in both endeavors over the last two decades, fighting terrorism and restoring peace.

Anonymous007 (2021-06-21). Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 21, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 21, clashes between Taliban and Afghan Army continue in the Aqche district in Jozjan province | On June 21, Taliban reportedly captured the Dolatabad district in Balkh province | On June 21, Taliban reportedly captured the Sholgara district in Balkh province | On June 21, Afghan Army reportedly recaptured the districts of Bangi and Khawja Ghar in Takhar province | On June 21, Taliban reportedly captured the district center of Imam Sahib in Qunduz | 147 Taliban m…

Ahmad Soheil Ahmadi (2021-06-21). Afghanistan: Negotiations in Confusion, Press Suppressed. counterpunch.org The current suffering of the people of Afghanistan is in some ways greater even than in previous years. This is because the country's immediate future remains wholly uncertain. A tantalizing peace might be at hand, or it might not. The peace process isn't exactly a smooth operation, with peripheral argumentation causing delays to the schedule

Jason Ditz (2021-06-18). 23 Afghan Commandos Killed in Fighting in Northern Faryab. news.antiwar.com Heavy fighting is continuing in northern Faryab Province of Afghanistan, The Taliban has contested parts of Faryab for weeks, and are putting intense pressure on the special forces. The troops reportedly expected reinforcements, sending vehicles away from the center of the contested district to pick up more fighters. | While the vehicles were gone, the Taliban attacked again in force, and caused many of the casualties. It turns…

WSWS repost (2021-06-18). NYT marks 50 years since Pentagon Papers, ignoring persecution of Julian Assange. indybay.org The New York Times marked the anniversary of its publication of documents exposing the government's lies and criminality in the Vietnam War with a complicit silence on the imprisonment of Assange for doing the same in relation to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Anonymous007 (2021-06-17). Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 16, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 17, at least 5 Afghan army personnel were killed in a Taliban suicide attack in Dolatabad police headquarters | On June 16, government forces recaptured Khanabad governorate building from Taliban in Kunduz province | On June 16, Taliban reportedly captured Pashmika border post in Lash and Juwain district in Farah province | On June 16, Taliban allegedly shot down an Afghan Army helicopter in Deh Yak district | On June 16, Taliban attacked Islan Qala border…

Dave DeCamp (2021-06-17). Turkey Agrees to Take 'Lead Role' Securing Kabul Airport. news.antiwar.com National Security Advisor As foreign troops pulling out of Afghanistan, the US wants to keep its embassy in Kabul open. To do this, the US wants the Kabul airport to be secure. The airport is currently being guarded by Turkish troops, and the US wants them to stay after the withdrawal. | "The clear com…

WSWS repost (2021-06-17). NYT marks 50 years since Pentagon Papers, ignoring persecution of Julian Assange. indybay.org The New York Times marked the anniversary of its publication of documents exposing the government's lies and criminality in the Vietnam War with a complicit silence on the imprisonment of Assange for doing the same in relation to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Staff (2021-06-17). British Lawyer Karim Khan Sworn In as New ICC Prosecutor Following End of Bensouda's Term. orinocotribune.com British lawyer Karim Khan took over the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, June 16, inheriting a long list of cases from his predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, including cases dealing with tensions with African countries, crimes in Afghanistan committed by the US Army, and crimes against humanity committed by Israeli authorities in Palestine. | "I solemnly undertake to fulfill my duties and exercise my powers as an ICC prosecutor honestly, faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously," declared Khan during the swearing in ceremony at the seat of the court. On February 12, K…

Editor2 (2021-06-16). The American Working Class Must Come to Assange's Defence! orinocotribune.com By Thomas Scripps — Jun 9, 2021 | Julian Assange's father and brother, John and Gabriel Shipton, are touring the United States to call for the WikiLeaks founder's release. They are visiting several American cities including Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Denver, before finishing in Washington DC. | Assange is a multi-award-winning journalist. His most significant work, carried out through WikiLeaks with the heroic whistleblower Chelsea Manning, is the publication of the Iraq and Afghan war logs and the US diplomatic cables in 2010 and the Guantanamo files in 2011. These releases ex…

WSWS repost (2021-06-16). NYT marks 50 years since Pentagon Papers, ignoring persecution of Julian Assange. indybay.org The New York Times marked the anniversary of its publication of documents exposing the government's lies and criminality in the Vietnam War with a complicit silence on the imprisonment of Assange for doing the same in relation to Iraq and Afghanistan.

South Front (2021-06-16). Video: NATO Bids Farewell to Afghanistan, as Taliban Prepare to Win. globalresearch.ca Visit and follow us on Instagram at @

Morteza Ahmadi Al Hashem (2021-06-16). 100 Taliban members, 90 soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 24h. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — A number of 100 Taliban members and 90 Afghan government soldiers were killed in the past 24 hours as a result of clashes in 80 Afghan cities.

Staff (2021-06-16). Iran, Afghanistan discuss expansion of educational ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — Iranian minister of education and Aghanistan deputy minister of literacy conferred on the development of educational ties…

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-06-16). Afghan security forces ensure security of country: Kabul. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — Deputy spokesman of the Afghan president said Wed. that ensuring the security of Afghanistan is the responsibility of Afghan security and defense forces, rejecting Turkish president calls for staying in the country.

Lenora Foerstel (2021-06-16). The History of US War Crimes: From Korea to Afghanistan. globalresearch.ca Important article first published by Global Research in 2002 | Image: Iraqi children | The issue of War Crimes emerged after World War I at the Versailles Conference, but it was not until the end of World War II that a more …

WSWS (2021-06-16). New York Times marks 50 years since Pentagon Papers, ignoring persecution of Julian Assange. wsws.org The New York Times marked the anniversary of its publication of documents exposing the government's lies and criminality in the Vietnam War with a complicit silence on the imprisonment of Assange for doing the same in relation to Iraq and Afghanistan.

_____ (2021-06-16). Over 16,000 Artists Sign Letter In Solidarity With Palestine. popularresistance.org Titled, "A Letter Against Apartheid," the statement was written by six Palestinian artists, who have asked to remain anonymous. It was initially signed by hundreds of Palestinian artists including filmmakers Annemarie Jacir, Elia Suleiman, and Farah Nabulsi; visual artists Emily Jacir and Larissa Sansour; actress Hiam Abbass; musicians Kamilya Jubran and Sama' Abdulhadi; and writers Elias Sanbar, Mohammed El-Kurd, Naomi Shihab Nye, Raja Shehadeh, Randa Jarrar, Suad Amiry, and Susan Abulhawa.

Walden Bello (2021-06-15). The Trillion Dollar War: the Economics of Overextension. counterpunch.org By the end of the Bush administration, the United States had spent nearly $3 trillion on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the estimates of Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz. This was staggering. But as the wars were being pursued, the American public did not realize their true cost because the Bush administration

Rick Rozoff (2021-06-15). Following NATO summit: Turkey and Azerbaijan sign defense, military pact in captured Nagorno-Karabakh city. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Following NATO summit: Turkey and Azerbaijan sign defense, military pact in captured Nagorno-Karabakh cityRick Rozoff Immediately after leaving the NATO summit in Brussels, where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Azerbaijan President ƒ∞lham Aliyev in the city of Shusha, captured from …

news.un (2021-06-15). Five polio vaccination workers shot dead in Afghanistan; UN condemns 'brutal' killings. news.un.org Five health workers carrying out a polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province were killed on Tuesday, and four others injured, during a series of attacks condemned by a senior UN official on the ground as brutal and "senseless".

Anonymous007 (2021-06-15). Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 15, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 14, Taliban reportedly captured Khas Uruzgan district in Uruzgan province | On June 14, Taliban reportedly captured Sancharak district in Sar-e Pol province | On June 15, Taliban attacked Behsud area in Maidan Wardak Province | On June 15, clashes between Taliban and Afghan Army continued in the Ghorian district | On June 15, 14 Taliban militants including one commander named "Mullah Khan Mohammed" were killed and 4 others were wounded in Nawa district and…

Anonymous007 (2021-06-15). Erdogan-Biden Meeting: Turkey Wants To Take Lead In Afghanistan. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 14th, US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting, which was categorized as "good". | Both leaders confirmed their willingness to restore strained ties and increase cooperation."In our meeting with Mr. Biden, we constructively handled issues that we differ on as well as areas of cooperation. We agreed to keep Turkey-U.S. dialogue channels open just like how strategic partners and allies do," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after meeting Joe Bide…

Dave DeCamp (2021-06-14). NATO Commits to Training Afghan Forces After Withdrawal. news.antiwar.com NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said the alliance's leaders confirmed that NATO will continue "NATO leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue to stand with Afghanistan with training and financial support for Afghan forces and institutions," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Brussels. | "Our military mission, the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, will end. But of course, we…

Jason Ditz (2021-06-14). Afghan Interior Ministry Arrests Tribal Elders Who Mediate With Taliban. news.antiwar.com In all but the largest cities, Afghanistan is organized around a strong sense of tribalism, with tribal elders holding a position of prominence almost everywhere. It is not an exaggeration to say that in small villages, the elders are more influential than the government. | After decades of war, and Afghanistan being what it is, many groups have come to rely on tribal elders to mediate local disputes with the Taliban, or to organize aid operations and prisoner exchanges that otherwise aren't possible. | And this being Afghanistan, someone's going to ruin a rare perk that has been discovered in the war-torn mes…

Jason Ditz (2021-06-14). Afghan Interior Ministry Arrests Tribal Elders Who Mediate With Taliban. news.antiwar.com In all but the largest cities, Afghanistan is organized around a strong sense of tribalism, with tribal elders holding a position of prominence almost everywhere. It is not an exaggeration to say that in small villages, the elders are more influential than the government. | After decades if war, and Afghanistan being what it is, many groups have come to rely on tribal elders to mediate local disputes with the Taliban, or to organize aid operations and prisoner exchanges that otherwise weren't possible. | And this being Afghanistan, someone's going to ruin a rare perk that has been discovered in the war-torn me…

Staff (2021-06-14). Headlines for June 14, 2021. democracynow.org New Israeli Gov't Coalition Ousts Benjamin Netanyahu After 12 Years as Prime Minister, G7 Concludes as Activists Slam Failure to Act on Climate Crisis, Vaccine Inequality, Biden to Meet with Turkey's President Erdogan as NATO Summit Kicks Off, Novavax Vaccine 90% Effective; U.S. COVID Cases Continue to Fall as California Readies for Reopening, U.K. Delays Reopening as Moscow Sees New Surge in Cases; India Moves to Reopen as Infections Drop, Bombs Kill at Least 7 in Afghanistan as Hazara Shia Come Under Mounting Attacks, Shelling in Afrin, Syria, Kills at Least 13 People, Tunisian Protesters Call for an End to Pol…

Anonymous007 (2021-06-14). Military Situation In Afghanistan On June 14, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On June 13, Taliban reportedly captured Khan Abad district in Kunduz province | On June 13, Taliban reportedly captured Sayyad district in Sar-e Pol province | On June 13, Taliban reportedly captured Posht-e Rud district in Farah province | On June 13, Taliban reportedly captured Saghar district in Ghor province | On June 13, 33 Taliban militants were killed and 22 others were wounded in Achin and Spinghar districts of Nangarhar, according to the Afghanistan MOD…

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-06-14). Khanabad district in Kunduz's province falls to Taliban. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 14 (MNA) — The Khanabad district in Kunduz province of Afghanistan has fallen to Taliban control after fierce clashes between the Afghan security forces and the group.