Latest News
Afghan crisis a ‘culmination of poor decision-making’ by 3 administrations: Menendez
US Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday the “tragic events of this past summer (in Afghanistan) were the culmination of poor decision-making by both Republican and Democratic administrations, going back to 2001”.
In a full Committee hearing entitled “Afghanistan 2001-2021: U.S. Policy Lessons Learned,” Menendez said only a full accounting of the situation will help the US avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
“We owe it to the American people. We owe it to our troops. We owe it to those in the public and non-profit sectors who dedicated years of their lives to improve Afghan democracy and governance. And we owe it to the people of Afghanistan – women and girls, religious and ethnic minorities – who are most affected by our departure,” he said.
According to Menendez, the United States struggled to enact a coherent strategy that would secure Afghan democracy and build strong governing institutions.
He said in his view a number of mistakes had been made.
First, the Bush Administration took its eye off the ball when it invaded Iraq, diverting desperately needed troops, equipment, and humanitarian assistance away from Afghanistan, he said.
“Those resources could have made a difference in preventing the resurgence of the Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) and building up Afghan governing institutions in their infancy.”
Second, the Obama Administration adopted a failed counterinsurgency strategy after taking office, he said.
“More than 33,000 troops were surged into Afghanistan but given an extremely short time frame, just 18 months, to prepare the Afghan government to take full control. That withdrawal date was repeatedly delayed as the weaknesses of Afghan institutions and security forces became all too clear” he said.
“Throughout the war, every administration also unfortunately bought into the fiction that Pakistan would be a partner in peace in Afghanistan. Instead, Islamabad played a double game, continuing to provide shelter to the Taliban (IEA) even as militants targeted and killed US troops,”
Third, the Trump Administration signed a surrender deal with the IEA “that set the stage for our precipitous withdrawal”.
“That deal was built on a set of lies, chief among them that the Taliban (IEA) would sever their connection with al-Qaeda,” he said adding that throughout the negotiations, the Trump administration excluded the Afghan government and kept secret the details of its agreement from the US’ closest allies.
“And finally, throughout the entire war, the executive branch failed to keep Congress adequately informed, particularly when the war was going poorly. Officials of both parties either misled or misrepresented the facts to Congress,” Menendez said.
According to him the executive branch told Congress that Afghan security forces could assume full responsibility for Afghanistan’s security; that the Afghan government was taking corruption seriously and gaining legitimacy in the provinces; and that regional actors like Pakistan were playing a helpful role with respect to the IEA.
Latest News
Afghanistan condemns drone attack near UAE nuclear power plant
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has expressed deep concern over rising tensions in the region and condemned recent drone attacks targeting civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, particularly the Barakah nuclear power plant.
In a statement released on Monday, the ministry called on all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to exercise restraint and caution, warning against further escalation of violence in the region.
The ministry emphasized the importance of respecting international principles and responsibilities, urging all sides to avoid actions that could intensify the crisis. It said ongoing disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.
The UAE said Sunday that a fire broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant after it was struck by a drone.
Latest News
Denmark contributes over $5 million to Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund
Denmark has donated more than $5 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund to support urgent relief efforts and assist vulnerable communities across the country.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the new funding will help finance emergency humanitarian programs and expand access to critical assistance for people affected by ongoing crises in Afghanistan.
According to OCHA, the contribution will strengthen the delivery of essential services and support continuing humanitarian operations aimed at assisting millions of Afghans facing severe hardship.
The agency warned that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remains extremely fragile, with millions of people still in urgent need of food aid, healthcare, and livelihood support.
OCHA also thanked donor countries for their continued financial contributions, stressing that sustained international assistance remains vital for maintaining humanitarian operations throughout the country.
The United Nations estimates that nearly 22 million people in Afghanistan could require humanitarian assistance in 2026, as poverty and food insecurity continue to affect large parts of the population.
Humanitarian organizations have further warned that the mass return and deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran are placing additional strain on Afghanistan’s already overstretched public services and aid systems.
International agencies have repeatedly cautioned that shrinking global aid budgets could further worsen conditions for millions of Afghans who depend on emergency humanitarian support.
The UN has previously launched a $1.71 billion humanitarian response plan for Afghanistan, describing the country as one of the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian crises.
Latest News
Afghanistan, China discuss Wakhan Corridor cooperation and future infrastructure projects
The completion of the Wakhan Corridor road has now established a land link between the two countries, while remaining construction work on the route is continuing at a rapid pace.
Afghanistan and China have discussed expanding development cooperation and infrastructure projects, with a focus on the Wakhan Corridor road linking the two countries, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said.
According to the ministry, Acting Minister Abdul Latif Mansoor met with China’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, and his delegation in Kabul to review ongoing cooperation and future development initiatives.
During the meeting, Zhao expressed satisfaction over the completion of the Wakhan Corridor road project in Badakhshan province, saying China has implemented major infrastructure and development projects in Afghanistan to high standards.
He said Beijing intends to continue future projects in close coordination with the Islamic Emirate and reaffirmed China’s commitment to ongoing cooperation and development assistance for Afghanistan.
Minister Mansoor welcomed the Chinese delegation and thanked China for its continued support and collaboration with Afghanistan.
He said Afghanistan has historically maintained land and trade links with neighboring countries, but China had remained the only neighboring state without a direct land connection to Afghanistan.
According to Mansoor, the completion of the Wakhan Corridor road has now established a land link between the two countries, while remaining construction work on the route is continuing at a rapid pace.
The minister added that the road project has been widely welcomed by the Afghan public and called on China to further expand cooperation in infrastructure and development projects, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The ministry said both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and cooperation at the conclusion of the meeting.
-
World2 days agoLarge blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA FM receives credentials of new ICRC head in Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan migrant arrested over alleged assault of schoolgirl in Germany
-
Latest News2 days agoRussia asked to send medical teachers to Afghanistan: Overchuk
-
Latest News3 days agoUS CENTCOM chief says Afghanistan remains key terrorism concern
-
Sport4 days agoFIFA to launch global social impact campaigns at 2026 World Cup
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan-Pakistan tensions delaying major projects across the region: Russian envoy
-
Latest News4 days agoRussia says it is building ‘full partnership’ with IEA
