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U.S. mobilizes 3,000 troops to Kabul for embassy staff drawdown

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Faced with unexpectedly rapid military gains by the Taliban, the United States decided on Thursday to dramatically scale down its embassy in Kabul and send about 3,000 troops temporarily to aid the evacuation of staff, Reuters reported.

News of the drawdown, which was first reported by Reuters, underscored Washington’s rapidly deteriorating hopes that diplomacy will halt the Taliban’s advance and keep the capital in the Afghan government’s hands. The Taliban could isolate Kabul within 30 days and take it over in 90, U.S. intelligence assessments concluded this week.

“We’ve been evaluating the security situation every day to determine how best to keep those serving at the embassy safe,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

“We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks,” he said, adding the embassy was not closed. A person familiar with the matter said there were no guarantees the embassy would remain open.

According to the Reuters the State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States “remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan” in the face of Taliban violence.

They said Washington was reducing its “civilian footprint” in Kabul given the “evolving security situation” and would increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who helped the U.S. effort in the country, a State Department statement said.

The officials also said Washington remained committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic and security relationship with the Afghan government and “Secretary Blinken affirmed that the United States remained committed to support a political solution to the conflict,” it added.

President Joe Biden ordered the embassy drawdown during a meeting on Thursday with top security advisers and accepted their recommendation to do so, according to a source familiar with the situation, Reuters reported.

A decision to stay in the country might have required the commitment of many more U.S. troops there to fight a civil war, the source said, as the United States looks to end its 20-year presence prompted by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Still, the decision cast new doubt on Washington’s strategy to influence Afghanistan’s peace process by maintaining aid and diplomatic personnel even after the troop withdrawal.

Administration officials did not adjust that timetable even as Biden ordered additional troops to Afghanistan to help secure the exit of civilian personnel. The first deployment to the airport in Kabul is expected within 24 to 48 hours, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

About 3,500 additional U.S. troops would be sent to the region from Fort Bragg in North Carolina to be on standby if the situation worsened, as well as 1,000 personnel to help process Afghans going through a special immigration process. It is common for the U.S. military to send in troops to evacuate personnel in combat zones.

“I don’t know that we have many choices left,” said Ronald Neumann, U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007, about the decision to downsize the embassy. “What’s left between Kabul and the Taliban?”

STAFF REDUCTION TO BE ‘SIGNIFICANT’

Some Republican lawmakers who opposed Biden’s decision to withdraw troops said they thought it was a good idea to add them now to support the embassy drawdown.

“The Biden administration must move as swiftly as possible to get both American civilians and Afghans who have aided us out of the country as quickly as possible,” said Senator Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

There are thought to be about 1,400 staff remaining at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Officials said the reduction in staff would be “significant.”

The military mission in Afghanistan is set to end on Aug. 31, with roughly 650 troops remaining in the country to protect the airport and embassy.

Washington is not counting on a power-sharing agreement being reached between the Kabul government and the Taliban but is seeking one to halt the fighting, according to one source. The United States has told the Taliban directly that they will face consequences if Americans are not safe, the source said.

“While the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, our strategy in the region must continue to evolve,” said Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “The safety and security of United States personnel must always come first.”

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Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to reach FIFA World Cup last 16

Ranked 41st in the world before the tournament, Paraguay eliminated a German side ranked 10th, marking one of the greatest shocks ever seen in the World Cup knockout stages.

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Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history on Monday, defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to book their place in the Round of 16.

Germany struggled to find their rhythm in the opening half and fell behind in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home from a Matias Galarza cross to give Paraguay a deserved lead.

The Germans responded after the break, with Kai Havertz equalising in the 53rd minute, glancing a header into the net from Florian Wirtz’s cross.

Germany thought they had taken the lead later in the match when Jonathan Tah scored from a corner, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Paraguay’s goalkeeper.

With neither side able to find a winner in extra time, the match was decided by penalties.

Germany endured a disastrous shootout, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the spot. Paraguay also missed two penalties but held their nerve as Jose Canale converted the decisive kick to seal a famous victory.

Ranked 41st in the world before the tournament, Paraguay eliminated a German side ranked 10th, marking one of the greatest shocks ever seen in the World Cup knockout stages.

The defeat also ended Germany’s long-standing record of never losing a World Cup penalty shootout and continued a disappointing run at recent tournaments, with the 2014 champions again failing to make a deep run.

Paraguay will now face the winner of the Round of 32 clash between France and Sweden in the last 16 on July 4 in Philadelphia.

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Afghanistan, UNDP discuss expanding cooperation in agriculture and rural development

The minister also said the government is pursuing policies to increase domestic agricultural production and reduce dependence on imports.

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Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have discussed expanding cooperation to strengthen agriculture, irrigation, rural livelihoods and infrastructure across the country.

During a meeting with Agriculture Minister Ataullah Omari, UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques outlined the agency’s ongoing efforts to support Afghanistan’s rural economy through alternative livelihood and development programs.

Rodriques said UNDP has provided chemical fertilizer to 2,000 farmers, established greenhouses, developed agricultural marketplaces and launched several initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural production under its alternative livelihoods program.

He added that UNDP has also completed 270 rural infrastructure projects, including irrigation canals, check dams and other water management facilities. The projects are designed to improve water resource management, increase agricultural productivity, promote mechanization and raise rural household incomes.

Omari welcomed the UNDP’s continued support and emphasized the importance of ensuring the completed projects are used effectively. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with development partners to strengthen Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners.

The minister also said the government is pursuing policies to increase domestic agricultural production and reduce dependence on imports. As part of that effort, tariffs on several imported agricultural products, including vegetables, fruit and powdered milk, have been increased to encourage local production and support the rural economy.

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UN chief calls for civilian protection after Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemned the airstrikes, describing them as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and calling them a “crime” and a “cowardly act.”

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the protection of civilians following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces that reportedly killed and injured dozens of people.

Speaking at a press briefing, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and stressed that all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law.

“We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times,” Dujarric said.

He cited the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which reported that numerous civilians were killed and injured in overnight airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in the three eastern provinces.

“Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the latest attacks have also reportedly triggered displacement, and humanitarian partners on the ground are assessing needs and preparing to provide emergency assistance,” Dujarric added.

According to reports, at least 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 others were wounded in the strikes. The casualties reportedly included women, children and elderly people who were inside residential homes at the time of the attacks.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemned the airstrikes, describing them as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and calling them a “crime” and a “cowardly act.”

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