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Mac Thornberry warns US to halt draw down of troops in Afghanistan

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Last Updated on: October 25, 2022

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House Armed Services Committee Chairman of US, Rep. Mac Thornberry is urging the Obama administration to halt the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan amid worries it could again become a terrorist safe haven.

“I’m concerned about the decisions that the president is to make in the next few weeks or months” about the planned pace of the drawdown, said Thornberry, who just returned from a trip to Afghanistan.

The Obama administration is scheduled to begin drawing down the roughly 9,800 U.S. troops there to just an embassy presence of around 1,000 by the end of next year, when President Obama leaves office.

Thornberry said that move would leave Afghanistan vulnerable to the Taliban, al Qaeda remnants, a growing Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) presence, and other terrorist groups who could plot attacks against the U.S.

“What I’m looking at is what’s in U.S. national security interests, and I keep coming back to the point that terrorism is always going to be attracted to Afghanistan. We’ve seen homeland plots in the past come from there, and for us not to have a presence, for us not to be able to gather intelligence, it would just be a huge blunder,” he said.

The chairman also said the ISIS presence in Afghanistan “has grown faster there than most people in Washington appreciate.”

Army Gen. John Campbell, the head of coalition forces there, is due to deliver his recommendations on the pace of the drawdown to the administration in the coming weeks. Thornberry said he met with him “at length,” as well as with Afghan President Abdul Ghani.

While Thornberry said he did not favor a “permanent” U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, he said the administration should at least stop drawing down forces and closing bases.

“Don’t close any bases of the remaining bases. So we’re just down to a handful of facilities, and I think, don’t make it any worse,” he warned.

“Right now, everybody’s planning to basically follow the Iraq model, which is, bring the remaining troops into the embassy in Kabul, and close everything else,” Thornberry said.

“A great deal of damage comes to our national security interests when we beat a hasty withdrawal,” he added. “Good heavens, if we’ve learned anything from what’s happened in Iraq, surely we’ve learned that.”

The administration decided to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011, after both countries failed to sign an agreement that would have given U.S. troops immunity from Iraqi law.

Critics point to that decision as a major factor in allowing al Qaeda militants in Iraq, who later became the ISIS, to gain a foothold in the country last year.

The administration plan would see the closure of the handful of remaining U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, and a U.S. troop presence only in the embassy in Kabul.

“If that happens, we cannot collect the intelligence we need to collect, we will have more limited ability to conduct counterterrorism operations. It will be a big loss to us,” Thornberry said.

The U.S. first deployed troops in Afghanistan in 2001, after al Qaeda head Osama bin Laden planned and oversaw the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks there. Bin Laden was given safe haven by the Taliban, which then controlled the government.

The U.S.-led coalition troop presence grew to 120,000 at the height of the war in 2009. Obama, however, pledged to end both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and announced in 2014 a plan to gradually withdraw all but an embassy presence by the end of 2016.

 

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Afghan community in California condemns Pakistani strikes amid growing global protests

The gathering in California follows a series of protests held last week by Afghan communities in Europe, highlighting growing concern among the diaspora over the deteriorating security situation.

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Members of the Afghan diaspora in the United States have joined a widening wave of international condemnation over recent Pakistani military strikes on Afghan territory, as tensions along the disputed Durand Line continue to escalate.

A group of Afghan citizens in Sacramento gathered this week to denounce the attacks, describing them as a violation of sovereignty and a threat to civilian lives. Participants issued a formal resolution calling on the international community to investigate the strikes and hold those responsible accountable.

Speakers at the event warned that continued military action risks deepening instability in the region, urging global leaders to take the situation seriously and push for measures to prevent further escalation.

The gathering in California follows a series of protests held last week by Afghan communities in Europe, highlighting growing concern among the diaspora over the deteriorating security situation.

In London, hundreds of demonstrators marched through central streets, chanting slogans against the strikes and calling for urgent international intervention.

Protesters pointed to rising civilian casualties in eastern Afghanistan and warned that repeated shelling along the Durand Line could further destabilize already fragile local communities.

Meanwhile, in Oslo, members of the Afghan community gathered outside the Norwegian Parliament to voice similar concerns. Organizers said a formal resolution was submitted to national authorities, as well as to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, urging immediate steps to halt the violence and ensure civilian protection.

The demonstrations come amid renewed tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where cross-Durand Line clashes and artillery exchanges have periodically flared. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic engagement, the situation risks escalating into a broader security crisis with far-reaching regional implications.

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IPL 2026: Lucknow hold nerve in final over to defeat Sunrisers

The match went down to the wire, with Sunriser’s bowlers applying pressure in the death overs through tight lines and clever variations.

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Lucknow Super Giants edged out Sunrisers Hyderabad in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Sunday, completing a tense run chase in the final over to register a crucial early-season win.

Batting first, Sunrisers posted a competitive total built around a fluent innings from Heinrich Klaasen, who once again demonstrated his ability to accelerate in the middle overs. He found support from the top order, helping the hosts set what looked like a defendable target on a surface offering some assistance to bowlers.

In response, Lucknow’s chase was steady rather than explosive. Early wickets threatened to derail their innings, but captain Rishabh Pant played a composed and calculated knock, anchoring the innings while rotating strike effectively.

Nicholas Pooran provided a late surge with some aggressive hitting, shifting momentum back in Lucknow’s favour.

The match went down to the wire, with Sunriser’s bowlers applying pressure in the death overs through tight lines and clever variations. However, Lucknow kept their composure, finding the boundaries when needed to cross the line with just one delivery remaining.

The win gives Lucknow Super Giants valuable momentum in the opening phase of the tournament, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will take positives from their batting performance but look to tighten their execution at the death.

Focus now moves to Monday’s fixture which sees Kolkata Knight Riders face Punjab Kings in what is expected to be a high-tempo contest.

Kolkata’s strength lies in their all-round depth, with power hitters and a varied bowling attack capable of adapting to different conditions. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will be banking on their explosive top order and improved bowling unit to deliver a more complete performance.

Both teams are still shaping their combinations, making this an important match for building rhythm and consistency as the league stage progresses.

Fans across Afghanistan can follow every moment of the IPL live on Ariana Television Network, which holds exclusive broadcast rights for the tournament.

Viewers are also encouraged to stay connected via the social media platforms of Ariana Television and Ariana News for updated match schedules, live coverage details, highlights, and breaking IPL news throughout the season.

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IEA supreme leader orders replacement of foreign terminology in official documents

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The leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has issued a new decree mandating the review and replacement of foreign terms in official government documents.

The directive calls for the formation of a special committee to assess and revise non-native terminology used across state institutions. The body will be chaired by the Ministry of Justice and include representatives from the Ministries of Higher Education, Education, Information and Culture, as well as the Academy of Sciences and the Administrative Affairs Office.

Under Article Two of the decree, all government entities are required to identify foreign terms used in their administrative and legal documents and submit them to the committee in a structured format, along with proposed alternatives and supporting justifications.

According to Article Three, the committee will evaluate the submissions and select appropriate replacements, taking into account Islamic and Afghan linguistic and cultural considerations. It will also have the authority to summon representatives from relevant institutions for further clarification if necessary.

The decree, as outlined in Article Four, takes effect immediately and will be published in the official gazette.

 
 
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