(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
(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 …
(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".
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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.