Yamin Zakaria: Call it political analysis or conspiracy theory, commercial interests often underpins foreign policy. Accordingly, many alleged that the US supported the Taliban regime through its ally Pakistan because it wanted to build a Gas pipeline in the 1990s along with the other strategic interests. The pipeline would run from the Central Asian countries through
Eurasia Review: Why does Pakistan export extremists? The question takes on a new urgency after the Pentagon reported that the overall security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated in the second half of 2015, with an increase in insurgent attacks and higher casualties among both Taliban and national forces. Click here to read more (external link).
Michael Hughes: For U.S.-supported Afghan government security forces trying to contain an expanding ISIS footprint, American presidential contender Donald Trump’s proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States probably could not come at a worse time. The Afghan government is still fighting a counterinsurgency, furthermore, and winning hearts and minds away from the
Mike King: The millions of white Americans who were so quick to “Stand with France” and plaster a French flag over their Facebook profile, and the millions of Christian Conservatives that support an agenda that seeks to turn the U.S. into a reactionary theocratic state, need to be forced to recognize their own persistent failure
Juan Cole: The Arabic press reported with a straight face GOP presidential contender Donald Trump’s allegations that he has lots of Muslim friends and that they are calling them to say how pleased they are that he wants to exclude them from coming to the United States, and that they are glad he is tackling
The Diplomat: As expected, on December 13, leaders from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India attended the groundbreaking for the TAPI pipeline project in Mary, Turkmenistan. Click here to read more (external link).
Huffington Post: It is still too early to dismiss the Taliban in the future of Afghanistan but neither is its success or a return to its previous position of power the foregone conclusion that many believe it is. For now the situation remains fluid and the future of the Taliban and of Afghanistan continues to
DW: In Mazar-i-Sharif, the German defense minister was self-critical. Mistakes have been made and the situation underestimated, she said. The question remains: Can the mistakes be repaired? Click here to read more (external link).
Michael Perino: Racism is an integral part of the ideology of imperialism. By dehumanizing the victims of imperialism, racism provides an ideological cover and justification for heinous war crimes. Click here to read more (external link).
CounterPunch: What do Barack Obama and Donald Trump have in common? Among other things, they have — or pretend to have — no clue why some Muslims hate us. Click here to read more (external link).