[ CS Monitor ] Afghanistan: How the Taliban won over northern ethnic minorities
When the Taliban last ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s, they faced stiff resistance across the country’s north from ethnic-based paramilitaries that resented the southern Pashtun militants. That resistance would prove decisive in 2001 when the same ethnic minorities, backed by U.S. air power, ousted the Taliban regime in Kabul. This time around, the Taliban had…
Read MoreIsmail Sabri’s first statements as PM on twitter after sworn in as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister
Ismail Sabri, the new Malaysian Prime Minister thank God, King and MPs for their support and trust – vow to carry out the duty of the office and fulfill the trust in him for the country. Syukur kehadrat Ilahi. Patik menjunjung kasih atas limpah perkenan KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin…
Read More[ UnHerd ] The man who lost Afghanistan
If there was one family in Afghanistan who incarnated the hopes, illusions and failures of the last two decades there, it was the Ghanis. Ashraf, the father, was the country’s last president. A trained anthropologist, he believed in books, and the power of the ideas within them to move the world. His wife, Rula, a…
Read MoreMalaysian King has confirmed that Ismail Sabri will become Malaysia 9th Prime Minister
The Istana Negara (National Palace) has confirmed that the Bera MP, Ismail Sabri will be Malaysia’s 9th Prime Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to be held tomorrow (21 August 2021) at 2.30pm. However, the large swats of the Malaysian internet reacted with #kerajaangagal (failed government / government failure) upon hearing the news of the…
Read More[ The Epoch Times ] US Black Hawk Helicopters Captured by Taliban as ‘Horrified’ Senators Demand DOD Audit
Likely billions of dollars of American weapons and vehicles are now in the hands of the Taliban extremist group after the collapse of the Afghan government and army, with numerous videos and photos surfacing online showing Taliban members seizing the equipment. Photos have circulated of Taliban members holding American M-4 carbines and M-16 rifles rather than AK-47s…
Read More[ Bloomberg ] China is blocking fleeing Hong Kongers from getting their retirement money
As tens of thousands flee Hong Kong for a new life in the UK, they’re confronting the risk that they will be forced to leave behind their retirement savings as China intensifies its crackdown on the city’s freedoms. Scores are being denied access to money in the Mandatory Provident Fund because of the cascading impact…
Read More[ The Drive ] The State Department Has Abandoned Its CH-46 Helicopters In Afghanistan
The U.S. State Department has confirmed that seven CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, also colloquially known as “Phrogs,” belonging to its Air Wing have been rendered inoperable and abandoned in Afghanistan as part of the ongoing evacuation effort. This non-combatant evacuation operation, or NEO, could very well be the last major mission ever for any Sea Knight belonging…
Read More[ The Independent Singapore ] Who is Ismail Sabri Yaakob? A look at UMNO vice-president, now frontrunner for Malaysia’s premiership
Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob has emerged as next in line to be Malaysia’s new Prime Minister, with Mr Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation last Monday (Aug 16). Mr Muhyiddin, however, is staying on as caretaker premier until his successor is named. Support for the UMNO vice president was confirmed by the party’s secretary-general, Mr Ahmad Maslan, who tweeted, “only…
Read More[ AP ] Taliban allowing ‘safe passage’ from Kabul in US airlift
The Taliban have agreed to allow “safe passage” from Afghanistan for civilians struggling to join a U.S.-directed airlift from the capital, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said Tuesday, although a timetable for completing the evacuation of Americans, Afghan allies and others has yet to be worked out with the country’s new rulers. Jake Sullivan…
Read More[ Decrypt ] Dogecoin Foundation Returns With Elon Musk Rep, Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin as Advisors
The core developers behind Dogecoin, the meme cryptocurrency that seeks to be a global payment method, have announced the members of the renewed Dogecoin Foundation. Its new advisory board includes Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Elon Musk representative Jared Birchall, according to a statement shared today by the foundation. Three prominent Dogecoin community members, Gary Lachance, Jens Wiechers…
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