Putin (left) and Trump (right) – file photo
USA Today: Revelations that Russia may have paid bounties to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan is the latest and most alarming evidence to date that Vladimir Putin’s government is intent on damaging American interests there and hastening a U.S. withdrawal. Click here to read more (external link).
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Ariana: The Ministry of Public Health said Friday that 302 new cases of Coronavirus were registered in the past 24 hours in the country. It brings the total infections to 32,324 in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, 12 COVID-19 patients have died in the last 24 hours bringing the total fatalities to 819 in Afghanistan, the ministry said. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) on Friday urged the Taliban to allow human rights worker to probe a recent mortar attack in Sangin district. This comes after at least 28 civilians were killed and 34 more wounded after four mortar rounds hit a festival being held at a market in Sangin district in Helmand province on Monday morning. Click here to read more (external link).
Abdul Rashid Dostum
Tolo News: Decree Signed Promoting Dostum to Marshal People close to former vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum on Friday confirmed that a presidential decree was signed on June 10 promoting Dostum to marshal rank. This was a provision of the political agreement between President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah signed on May 17. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban militants (file photo)
Michael Hughes: Today’s headlines about the ongoing U.S. exit from Afghanistan eerily resemble those published more than 30 years ago vis-à-vis the Soviet withdrawal, especially with respect to the infighting among the anti-government elements who had the most to gain by the expulsion of a foreign invader.
The Peshawar 7 mujahideen factions never really operated as one cohesive unit in the first place, although this acephalous nature had its benefits. For one, there was no head for the occupying goliath to decapitate. However, the temporary superficial bonds had a downside so adeptly captured by anthropologist Thomas Barfield.
Donald Trump
LMTOnline: Only a few hours had passed since President Donald Trump pardoned 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and the men of 1st Platoon were still trying to make sense of how it was even possible. How could a man they blamed for ruining their lives, an officer the Army convicted of second-degree murder and other charges, be forgiven so easily? How could their president allow him to just walk free? Click here to read more (external link).
Najibullah Ahmadzai
FP: With Afghanistan again facing a political crisis, Mohammed Najibullah’s tarnished memory is being rehabilitated by some. But the crimes of the last Soviet-supported president, who was killed by the Taliban, are hardly forgotten. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: The Ministry of Public Health said Thursday that 33 Coronavirus patients have died in the past 24 hours in Afghanistan as the country recorded 186 new cases. The record of new cases shows a declined in the number of infections in the country. Meanwhile, 436 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours after receiving treatment. Click here to read more (external link).
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