US lawmakers view Afghanistan ‘dissent’ cable, dispute continuesUS lawmakers view Afghanistan ‘dissent’ cable, dispute continues

Published

3 years ago

May 24, 2023

The leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday privately viewed a classified cable related to the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, as the panel’s Republican chairperson and State Department grapple over providing access to the document.

Representatives Michael McCaul, the panel’s Republican chair, and Gregory Meeks, its top Democrat, viewed the cable at the State Department after McCaul last week said he had accepted an invitation to do so and would pause attempts to enforce a subpoena to obtain it.

McCaul said afterward he would speak to Meeks and committee members from both parties to discuss the next course of action if State does not agree to let all 51 members view the cable, as the subpoena requested.

McCaul said he was grateful he and Meeks were allowed to view the cable. “However, every member on our committee should be granted this same access,” McCaul said in a statement.

Meeks said in a statement afterward that a briefing provided to committee members and summary of the cable faithfully reflected its contents.

McCaul is investigating the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Republicans, and some Democrats, say there has never been a full accounting of the chaotic operation, in which 13 U.S. service members were killed at Kabul’s airport.

He has for months been seeking the “dissent channel” cable sent in July 2021 that a Wall Street Journal article in August 2021 said warned top officials of the potential collapse of Kabul soon after the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The channel allows State Department officials to air concerns to supervisors.

“I can say the dissenters were right – and the administration should have listened,” McCaul said.

Making the cable available for McCaul and Meeks’ private review was “extraordinary accommodation” on behalf of the State Department, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

“We believe that ought to satisfy our obligation to provide them with the information that they need. But we will continue to engage with them” about the issue, he said.

Saar

Saar: Discussion on critiquing Trump’s immigration policy

Published

2 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

Latest News

Omari and Iranian ambassador meet to strengthen Afghan migrant labor ties

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

Abdul Manan Omari, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, met on Wednesday with Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, to discuss the development of bilateral labor cooperation, the legal deployment of Afghan workers to Iran, better regulation of the labor force, expansion of joint cooperation, and in particular a review of the situation of Afghan migrants.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Omari said during the meeting in Kabul that facilitation should be provided in the process of issuing legal work permits for Afghan migrants; cooperation should take place in expanding technical and vocational training programs in Afghanistan in both quantitative and qualitative terms; joint technical and vocational programs should be implemented with proper coordination; and all rights of Afghan workers in Iran should be guaranteed and ensured.

He added that this includes the fair payment of wages, the provision of a healthy and safe working environment, and the establishment of a joint commission to address labor disputes, so that the problems of Afghan workers both residents and newly arrived can be resolved effectively.

Omari also emphasized that the Islamic Emirate is keen to reach a mutual understanding with Iran regarding the organized, legal, and beneficial transfer of skilled and specialized workers, the protection of their rights in that country, and the enhancement of professional capacities, thereby facilitating labor exchange between the two countries.

During the meeting, Bikdeli stated that Iran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan through the implementation of joint projects in the areas of organized migrant transfer and social support for them.

“We believe that cooperation with Afghanistan is not only a humanitarian responsibility but also an urgent necessity for regional stability,” he said.

He stated: “We are interested in labor exchange with Afghanistan and prefer to create opportunities for skilled Afghan workers in the Iranian labor market and for skilled Iranian workers in the Afghan labor market.”

He assured the IEA that Iran’s sustainable cooperation with Afghanistan will continue and emphasized the expansion of historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries.

Both sides pledged to continue their joint cooperation in creating job opportunities, expanding the labor market, enhancing technical and vocational training, and regulating matters related to migrants.

Sport

FC Goa to take on FC Istiklol in next AFC Champions League Two match

Published

6 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

As FC Goa prepare to host FC Istiklol at the iconic Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in India, football fans are gearing up for an exciting AFC Champions League Two Group D clash.

In their previous encounter earlier in the tournament, Istiklol secured a 2‑0 victory over FC Goa in Tajikistan, with goals from Rustam Soirov and Reza Dehghani giving the visitors all three points.

Istiklol enter this rematch with strong momentum from their earlier win, while FC Goa are determined to claim their first points in the group. Goa will aim to turn the tables at home, leveraging the support of their fans at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to challenge Istiklol’s attacking threat.

The two teams have faced each other only a handful of times in continental competition. So far, Istiklol hold the edge in the head-to-head record, with the previous 2‑0 victory representing their only meeting in this season’s tournament. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch as both clubs vie for crucial group points.

Experts say the midfield battle will be pivotal, determining possession and the tempo of the match. Istiklol’s continental experience may give them an edge, but Goa’s speed and technical skill — especially on home turf — could prove decisive in overturning their previous defeat.