The US&nbsp;military has&nbsp;been present in Afghanistan for 20 years, attempting to "civilise" the people, but its presence has only resulted in catastrophes, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"As for events that are happening not so far from us, in Afghanistan ... For 20 years, US troops were present there and for 20 years they made attempts to civilize local people, in a broader sense, to impose their own norms and standards, including those related to the political organization of society. This only resulted in tragedies, both for those who did it, the United States, and even more so for people living in Afghanistan, " Putin said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-last-holdout-in-afghanistans-panjshir-anti-taliban-forces-fight-on-409936">Also read | In Afghanistan's Panjshir, anti-Taliban forces fight on&nbsp;</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a history of criticising Western countries for attempting to impose their values on non-Western countries.

Moscow has repeatedly chastised the US strategy in Afghanistan, which the Taliban have taken control of this month ahead of the American withdrawal on August 31.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-expect-us-to-reopen-embassy-in-kabul-have-trade-relations-taliban-409822">Also read | We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban</a>

He was speaking at a gathering of students in Vladivostok, Russia's far eastern city, to commemorate the start of the school year.

Putin stated last week that Russia would not intervene in Afghanistan and that Moscow had learnt from the Soviet occupation.

He has also expressed dissatisfaction with Western governments' attempts to relocate Afghan refugees to Moscow-aligned Central Asian states.

Moscow has expressed cautious optimism about Kabul's new government, stating that it will not interfere in domestic issues.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The US military has been present in Afghanistan for 20 years, attempting to "civilise" the people, but its presence has only resulted in catastrophes, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US military has been present in Afghanistan for 20 years, attempting to "civilise" the people, but its presence has only resulted in catastrophes, said Russian President Vladimir Putin. "As for events that are happening not so far from us, in Afghanistan ... For 20 years, US troops were present there and for 20 years they made attempts to civilize local people, in a broader sense, to impose their own norms and standards, including those related to the political organization of society. This only resulted in tragedies, both for those who did it, the United States, and even more so for people living in Afghanistan, " Putin said. Also read | In Afghanistan's Panjshir, anti-Taliban forces fight on Russian President Vladimir Putin has a history of criticising Western countries for attempting to impose their values on non-Western countries. Moscow has repeatedly chastised the US strategy in Afghanistan, which the Taliban have taken control of this month ahead of the American withdrawal on August 31. Also read | We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban He was speaking at a gathering of students in Vladivostok, Russia's far eastern city, to commemorate the start of the school year. Putin stated last week that Russia would not intervene in Afghanistan and that Moscow had learnt from the Soviet occupation. He has also expressed dissatisfaction with Western governments' attempts to relocate Afghan refugees to Moscow-aligned Central Asian states. Moscow has expressed cautious optimism about Kabul's new government, stating that it will not interfere in domestic issues. (With inputs from agencies)

America's 20-year presence in Afghanistan only resulted in tragedies, says Putin

Fresh clashes erupted between the Taliban and National Resistance Front (NRF) in the parts of Panjshir Valley. The focus of the Taliban is shifting to Panjshir valley to thwart the spirited resistance being led by Ahmad Massoud.

Fresh clashes reported between Taliban and NRF in Panjshir, Baghlan provinces

The Taliban on Wednesday called on the holdout bastion of the Panjshir Valley to lay down their arms, as resistance fighters said they had repulsed heavy attacks.

The rugged mountain valley with towering snow-capped peaks -- which begins around 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the capital Kabul -- is the centre of Afghanistan's most important pocket of armed anti-Taliban forces.

The National Resistance Front (NRF), comprising anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces, has vowed to defend the enclave as the Islamist group sends fighters to encircle the area. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-expect-us-to-reopen-embassy-in-kabul-have-trade-relations-taliban-409822">Also read | We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban</a> 
 
"My brothers, we tried our best to solve the Panjshir problem with talks and negotiations... but unfortunately, it was all in vain," senior Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi said, in an audio message to the people of Panjshir posted on Twitter.

"Now that the talks have failed and Mujahiddin (Taliban) have surrounded Panjshir, there are still people inside that don't want the problems to be solved peacefully," he added. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-joe-biden-calls-us-evacuation-from-afghanistan-extraordinary-success-409816">Also Read:&nbsp;President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success'</a>

"Now it is up to you to talk to them," the Taliban message to the Panjshir people said. "Those who want to fight, tell them it is enough."

Bismillah Mohammadi, Afghanistan's defence minister before the government fell last month, said the Taliban had launched a renewed assault on Panjshir on Tuesday night.

"Last night the Taliban terrorists attacked Panjshir, but were defeated," Mohammadi tweeted Wednesday, claiming 34 Taliban were killed and 65 wounded.

"Our people should not worry. They retreated with heavy casualties."

Residents and fighters in Panjshir, many of whom fought the Taliban when they were last in power from 1996 to 2001, offered a defiant message.

"We are ready to defend it till the last drop of our blood," said one resident.

"Everyone has a weapon on their shoulder and ready to fire," another said. "From the youngest to the oldest, they all talk about resistance."

'Try their luck'

As the last US soldiers boarded their flight out of Afghanistan in the Kabul dark late Monday, residents of Panjshir said the Taliban had attacked the valley on two fronts -- the Khawak pass in the west, and from Shotol to the south.

"Perhaps they wanted to try their luck," NRF official Fahim Dashti said in a video posted Tuesday by the US broadcaster Voice of America's Dari language service. "By the grace of God, luck wasn't on their side."

Dashti reported seven or eight Taliban fighters were killed in Monday's clashes along with one or two resistance fighters.

The Panjshir has immense symbolic value in Afghanistan as the area that has resisted occupation by invaders.

"We defended it during the era of the Russians, the era of the British, the previous era of the Taliban... we will continue to defend it," one fighter said.

Ahmad Massoud, one of the NRF's leaders, is the son of the late guerrilla commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was dubbed the "Lion of Panjshir" for holding out, first against Soviet and then Taliban forces.

The valley has limited entry points and its geography offers a natural military advantage -- defending units can use high positions to effectively target attacking forces.

Anticipating assault

This week, Panjshir fighters held military training in a show of force, with men carrying heavy logs on their shoulders crossing chest-deep icy rivers.&nbsp;

Above their armoured vehicles and over their bases fluttered their flag, a challenge to the Taliban's white banner now hauled up across the rest of the country.

Many Afghans are terrified of a repeat of the Taliban's initial rule from 1996 to 2001, which was infamous for their treatment of girls and women, as well as a brutal justice system.

The NRF has set up machine gun nests, mortars and surveillance posts fortified with sandbags in anticipation of a Taliban assault.

Communications are difficult with the valley, with Taliban forces on three sides. Internet into Panjshir has been on and off repeatedly in recent days.

The Taliban on Wednesday called on the holdout bastion of the Panjshir Valley to lay down their arms, as resistance fighters said they had repulsed heavy attacks.

The Taliban on Wednesday called on the holdout bastion of the Panjshir Valley to lay down their arms, as resistance fighters said they had repulsed heavy attacks. The rugged mountain valley with towering snow-capped peaks -- which begins around 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the capital Kabul -- is the centre of Afghanistan's most important pocket of armed anti-Taliban forces. The National Resistance Front (NRF), comprising anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces, has vowed to defend the enclave as the Islamist group sends fighters to encircle the area. Also read | We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban "My brothers, we tried our best to solve the Panjshir problem with talks and negotiations... but unfortunately, it was all in vain," senior Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi said, in an audio message to the people of Panjshir posted on Twitter. "Now that the talks have failed and Mujahiddin (Taliban) have surrounded Panjshir, there are still people inside that don't want the problems to be solved peacefully," he added. Also Read: President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success' "Now it is up to you to talk to them," the Taliban message to the Panjshir people said. "Those who want to fight, tell them it is enough." Bismillah Mohammadi, Afghanistan's defence minister before the government fell last month, said the Taliban had launched a renewed assault on Panjshir on Tuesday night. "Last night the Taliban terrorists attacked Panjshir, but were defeated," Mohammadi tweeted Wednesday, claiming 34 Taliban were killed and 65 wounded. "Our people should not worry. They retreated with heavy casualties." Residents and fighters in Panjshir, many of whom fought the Taliban when they were last in power from 1996 to 2001, offered a defiant message. "We are ready to defend it till the last drop of our blood," said one resident. "Everyone has a weapon on their shoulder and ready to fire," another said. "From the youngest to the oldest, they all talk about resistance." 'Try their luck' As the last US soldiers boarded their flight out of Afghanistan in the Kabul dark late Monday, residents of Panjshir said the Taliban had attacked the valley on two fronts -- the Khawak pass in the west, and from Shotol to the south. "Perhaps they wanted to try their luck," NRF official Fahim Dashti said in a video posted Tuesday by the US broadcaster Voice of America's Dari language service. "By the grace of God, luck wasn't on their side." Dashti reported seven or eight Taliban fighters were killed in Monday's clashes along with one or two resistance fighters. The Panjshir has immense symbolic value in Afghanistan as the area that has resisted occupation by invaders. "We defended it during the era of the Russians, the era of the British, the previous era of the Taliban... we will continue to defend it," one fighter said. Ahmad Massoud, one of the NRF's leaders, is the son of the late guerrilla commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was dubbed the "Lion of Panjshir" for holding out, first against Soviet and then Taliban forces. The valley has limited entry points and its geography offers a natural military advantage -- defending units can use high positions to effectively target attacking forces. Anticipating assault This week, Panjshir fighters held military training in a show of force, with men carrying heavy logs on their shoulders crossing chest-deep icy rivers. Above their armoured vehicles and over their bases fluttered their flag, a challenge to the Taliban's white banner now hauled up across the rest of the country. Many Afghans are terrified of a repeat of the Taliban's initial rule from 1996 to 2001, which was infamous for their treatment of girls and women, as well as a brutal justice system. The NRF has set up machine gun nests, mortars and surveillance posts fortified with sandbags in anticipation of a Taliban assault. Communications are difficult with the valley, with Taliban forces on three sides. Internet into Panjshir has been on and off repeatedly in recent days.

The last holdout: In Afghanistan's Panjshir, anti-Taliban forces fight on 

President Joe Biden on Tuesday defended his decision to end the Afghan conflict, calling it a "success". "I was not going to extend this forever war," Biden said in remarks from the White House. WION's Susan Tehrani tells you more.

US President Joe Biden defends departure from 'forever war' in Afghanistan

After completing the US troops pullout from Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Tuesday that it will continue to conduct drone strikes against the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and other terrorist groups operating in the country.

The US military had earlier carried out drone strikes against an ISIS-K planner after the group claimed responsibility of the recent deadly Kabul Airport suicide bombing, which killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 US service members.&nbsp;

Watch | Biden: Afghanistan cost the US $300 million a day for two decades

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Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told Fox News, “We have the capability from an over the horizon perspective of ensuring our national security interests are protected and defended.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

"And what I would tell you, without getting into hypotheticals or speculating about future operations, we're going to continue to maintain those capabilities and use them if and when we need to," the official added. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, Al Qaeda, the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the Taliban for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief in 2011 in Pakistan. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/we-expect-us-to-reopen-embassy-in-kabul-have-trade-relations-taliban-409822" hreflang="en">We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban</a>

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'. &nbsp;

In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force." &nbsp;

Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir. &nbsp;

"Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After completing the US troops pullout from Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Tuesday that it will continue to conduct drone strikes against the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and other terrorist groups operating in the country.

After completing the US troops pullout from Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Tuesday that it will continue to conduct drone strikes against the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and other terrorist groups operating in the country. The US military had earlier carried out drone strikes against an ISIS-K planner after the group claimed responsibility of the recent deadly Kabul Airport suicide bombing, which killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 US service members. Watch | Biden: Afghanistan cost the US $300 million a day for two decades × Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told Fox News, “We have the capability from an over the horizon perspective of ensuring our national security interests are protected and defended.” "And what I would tell you, without getting into hypotheticals or speculating about future operations, we're going to continue to maintain those capabilities and use them if and when we need to," the official added. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda, the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the Taliban for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief in 2011 in Pakistan. Also Read | We expect US to reopen embassy in Kabul, have trade relations: Taliban Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'. In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force." Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir. "Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

Drone strikes to continue in Afghanistan when needed, says Pentagon

In the absence of political leadership in Afghanistan, diplomacy is at stake. Qatar's foreign minister has warned that isolating the Taliban 'could further destabilise Afghanistan'. The minister has also urged nations to engage with the Taliban.

Qatar urges Taliban to combat 'terrorism' after US pullout

September 1 is seen as the new dawn in Afghanistan. 20 years of US invasion have officially ended and the Taliban's rule has begun. Will Afghans accept 'new normal' and resume life under the Taliban? Anas Mallick brings you more.

New dawn in Afghanistan: Start of a new era for Afghans under the Taliban

Afghanistan woman cricketer Roya&nbsp;Samim flew to Canada along with her two sisters in the wake of the unrest back home post Taliban's entry. Ever since the Taliban terror group took over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan has been going through a severe unrest and there is a feeling of helplessness among the citizens.

While Roya left her country two days before Taliban entered Kabul, she vented out her frustration and disappointment in leaving her homeland and settling elsewhere. Speaking to The Guardian, she said, "Leaving Afghanistan, it was a sad day for me. I just cried. I really love everything that I had: my job, my cricket, my teammates, my home town, my relatives. Everything that I have, I leave behind. Even now when I remember this day I will cry. The Taliban are against girls studying, so how do they want a girl’s cricket team?"

To her knowledge, Roya feels only her sisters and she has managed to leave the troubled country in the right time. Thus, Roya remains extremely concerned about her teammates and told, "My other teammates who stay in Afghanistan are afraid, they stay in their houses. They are sad, they ask people to please help us. Emotionally and physically, they are not good."

What hurt Roya was no response that she got from the International Cricket Council (ICC). In this regard, she pointed out, "We all emailed the ICC but got no response from them,” says Samim. “Why do they not respond to us, why do they not consider us, even treat us that we don’t exist in the world? After the Taliban came into Kabul, we requested that [the ICC] please save all the girls, we are worried for our teammates. The Afghan Cricket Board [ACB] also said nothing, they said just: ‘Wait.’"

Given the grim situation in Afghanistan, many are living in uncertain times in their own country.

For the unversed, Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, however, made heads turn with his recent remark supporting the Taliban terror group, saying they've entered Taliban with a 'positive intent'.&nbsp;Afridi's&nbsp;statement comes at a time after a suicide bombing at Kabul airport killed at least 170 people, including 13 US security personnel. Hence, he received criticism from several quarters for his glaring statement.

Afghanistan woman cricketer Roya Samim flew to Canada along with her two sisters in the wake of the unrest back home post Taliban's entry. Ever since the Taliban terror group took over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan has been going through a severe unrest and there is a feeling of helplessness among the citizens.

Afghanistan woman cricketer Roya Samim flew to Canada along with her two sisters in the wake of the unrest back home post Taliban's entry. Ever since the Taliban terror group took over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan has been going through a severe unrest and there is a feeling of helplessness among the citizens. While Roya left her country two days before Taliban entered Kabul, she vented out her frustration and disappointment in leaving her homeland and settling elsewhere. Speaking to The Guardian, she said, "Leaving Afghanistan, it was a sad day for me. I just cried. I really love everything that I had: my job, my cricket, my teammates, my home town, my relatives. Everything that I have, I leave behind. Even now when I remember this day I will cry. The Taliban are against girls studying, so how do they want a girl’s cricket team?" To her knowledge, Roya feels only her sisters and she has managed to leave the troubled country in the right time. Thus, Roya remains extremely concerned about her teammates and told, "My other teammates who stay in Afghanistan are afraid, they stay in their houses. They are sad, they ask people to please help us. Emotionally and physically, they are not good." What hurt Roya was no response that she got from the International Cricket Council (ICC). In this regard, she pointed out, "We all emailed the ICC but got no response from them,” says Samim. “Why do they not respond to us, why do they not consider us, even treat us that we don’t exist in the world? After the Taliban came into Kabul, we requested that [the ICC] please save all the girls, we are worried for our teammates. The Afghan Cricket Board [ACB] also said nothing, they said just: ‘Wait.’" Given the grim situation in Afghanistan, many are living in uncertain times in their own country. For the unversed, Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, however, made heads turn with his recent remark supporting the Taliban terror group, saying they've entered Taliban with a 'positive intent'. Afridi's statement comes at a time after a suicide bombing at Kabul airport killed at least 170 people, including 13 US security personnel. Hence, he received criticism from several quarters for his glaring statement.

We emailed ICC but got no response, reveals Afghanistan woman cricketer who left Kabul post Taliban's entry

President Joe Biden said that the US has spent $300 million a day for 20 years in Afghanistan for two decades. He also added that he refuses to open another decade of warfare in Afghanistan.

Biden: Afghanistan cost the US $300 million a day for two decades

President Joe Biden said that the US will continue to support Afghanistan through diplomacy, international influence, and humanitarian crisis. He also said, "after 20 years of war in Afghanistan, I refuse to send another generation of America on war".

Biden: Will continue to support Afghans through diplomacy & humanitarian aid

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington.&nbsp;

These are the highlights of his address to the nation: 
 
‘It was time to end this war’

Hours after the last US jets left Afghanistan, President Joe Biden made his strongest defence yet for his administration's handling of the drawdown.

Biden said celebrating the end of the US occupation of Afghanistan that he was not ready to allow a "forever war" turn into a "forever exit," noting that the US managed to get the majority of Americans out before the final flights departed.&nbsp;

Biden warns ISIS-K: 'You will pay the ultimate price'

"We will continue the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries," Biden said Tuesday.

"And to ISIS-K: We are not done with you yet," he said, using another acronym for the Afghan offshoot of the Islamic State jihadist group.

US remains ‘committed’ to getting out the remaining Americans from Afghanistan

The president said that "90 per cent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave" while adding that for those who remained beyond the 31 August withdrawal deadline, "there is no deadline."

"We remain committed to getting them out, if they want to come out," he said.

Biden slams Trump’s withdrawal plan

Biden lambasted Trump's agreement with the Taliban to depart by 1 May without any cooperative governance agreements or promises to release hundreds of Taliban prisoners, claiming that the Taliban are in their best position in more than a decade.&nbsp; 
 
I take responsibility for the decision: Biden defends evacuation plan

He stated, "I accept responsibility for the decision."

“Imagine if we started evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American forces and evacuating over 120,000 people in the midst of a civil war,” he continued.

"There would still have been a mad rush to the airport, a breakdown in government confidence and control, and a very difficult and risky mission.” 
 
“The simple truth is that there is no way to evacuate from the conclusion of a war without facing the types of complications, obstacles, and risks we did,” he said. "none.”&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington.

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington. These are the highlights of his address to the nation: ‘It was time to end this war’ Hours after the last US jets left Afghanistan, President Joe Biden made his strongest defence yet for his administration's handling of the drawdown. Biden said celebrating the end of the US occupation of Afghanistan that he was not ready to allow a "forever war" turn into a "forever exit," noting that the US managed to get the majority of Americans out before the final flights departed. Biden warns ISIS-K: 'You will pay the ultimate price' "We will continue the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries," Biden said Tuesday. "And to ISIS-K: We are not done with you yet," he said, using another acronym for the Afghan offshoot of the Islamic State jihadist group. US remains ‘committed’ to getting out the remaining Americans from Afghanistan The president said that "90 per cent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave" while adding that for those who remained beyond the 31 August withdrawal deadline, "there is no deadline." "We remain committed to getting them out, if they want to come out," he said. Biden slams Trump’s withdrawal plan Biden lambasted Trump's agreement with the Taliban to depart by 1 May without any cooperative governance agreements or promises to release hundreds of Taliban prisoners, claiming that the Taliban are in their best position in more than a decade. I take responsibility for the decision: Biden defends evacuation plan He stated, "I accept responsibility for the decision." “Imagine if we started evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American forces and evacuating over 120,000 people in the midst of a civil war,” he continued. "There would still have been a mad rush to the airport, a breakdown in government confidence and control, and a very difficult and risky mission.” “The simple truth is that there is no way to evacuate from the conclusion of a war without facing the types of complications, obstacles, and risks we did,” he said. "none.” (With inputs from agencies)

Highlights of Biden's speech: The President discusses ‘tough decisions’ after US troops leave Afghanistan

During his first address after troops pull out, President Joe Biden said that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan.

Biden delivers remark after military withdrawal, says America's Afghan war comes to an end

US President Joe Biden said that 90% of Americans in Afghan who wanted to leave have been evacuated. He also added that "there is no deadline for Afghan Americans, we remain committed to get them out if they want".

Biden: 90% of Americans in Afghan were able to leave, we remain committed  to get rest out

During his first address after troops pull out, President Joe Biden said that the best path to guard our safety and security lies the tough, unforgiving, targeted, precise strategy. He also warned those who wish any harm to America.

Biden: Our safety and security lies in a tough, unforgiving, targeted, precise strategy

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan.

Biden hailed the success of the US airlift of more than 120,000 civilians from Afghanistan, a day after the last US troops left the nation.

"One of the largest airlifts in history was done," Biden remarked.

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"To those who wish America harm, we will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price," says US President <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> 
 
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"In all of history, no nation has ever done anything like it; only the United States had the talent, will, and ability to achieve it," he remarked.&nbsp; 
 
Joe Biden declared today at a White House press briefing that he would not continue a "forever war" or a "forever exit" by delaying the withdrawal deadline, which had already passed.

The president went on to say that the August 31 deadline was set to "save American lives," rather than being a "arbitrary deadline."

He also promised to continue assisting those in need, stating, "We are far from done."

"The basic conclusion is that there is no evacuation from the end of a conflict that can avoid the problems that we faced," Biden remarked. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan.

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan. Biden hailed the success of the US airlift of more than 120,000 civilians from Afghanistan, a day after the last US troops left the nation. "One of the largest airlifts in history was done," Biden remarked. "To those who wish America harm, we will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price," says US President @JoeBiden Watch LIVE: https://t.co/OxEFGlewjf pic.twitter.com/s88jLo92l3 — WION (@WIONews) August 31, 2021 × "In all of history, no nation has ever done anything like it; only the United States had the talent, will, and ability to achieve it," he remarked. Joe Biden declared today at a White House press briefing that he would not continue a "forever war" or a "forever exit" by delaying the withdrawal deadline, which had already passed. The president went on to say that the August 31 deadline was set to "save American lives," rather than being a "arbitrary deadline." He also promised to continue assisting those in need, stating, "We are far from done." "The basic conclusion is that there is no evacuation from the end of a conflict that can avoid the problems that we faced," Biden remarked. (With inputs from agencies)

President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success'

Speaking about the US' hasty exit from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden has said that it was the "best available option to end both US' longest war as well as fruitless nation-building". WION's Anas Mallick tells you more.

Biden: Leaving Afghanistan a wise decision, don't want to send another generation to war

According to the White House, top US military generals have been instructed by the president that they should stop at nothing to make Afghanistan's ISIS affiliate pay for 13 US service members' deaths.

White House: Biden told top US military generals to 'stop at nothing' to go after ISIS

On Tuesday, several youngsters ran to school in Kabul as the Taliban symbolically strolled over the runway of the capital's airport, celebrating their victory following the pullout of US soldiers.&nbsp;

Some of the benefits of the last 20 years were on show, even as the US and its NATO allies left Afghanistan.

Masooda was rushing to get to her private school's fifth grade lesson.

She stated, "I am not terrified of the Taliban. Why should I be?" says the narrator.

Students had been summoned to class four days prior. The Taliban have stated that kids will be separated by gender, but this is already the case in many institutions, with the exception of the early classes.&nbsp;

The Taliban have stated that children will be separated by gender, which is already the case in many Afghan institutions for older kids.

The Taliban's acting higher education minister stated on Sunday that Afghan women would be able to attend university, but that mixed classes would be prohibited under their rule.&nbsp;

"Afghans won't abandon Islam, Afghans won't accept slavery, they won't neglect their national values," Haqqani said. The Taliban have also said that they want good relations with the international community and have promised a more moderate form of Islamic rule than last time. However, the group's public rhetoric has still left Afghans deeply skeptical.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Tuesday, several youngsters ran to school in Kabul as the Taliban symbolically strolled over the runway of the capital's airport, celebrating their victory following the pullout of US soldiers.

On Tuesday, several youngsters ran to school in Kabul as the Taliban symbolically strolled over the runway of the capital's airport, celebrating their victory following the pullout of US soldiers. Some of the benefits of the last 20 years were on show, even as the US and its NATO allies left Afghanistan. Masooda was rushing to get to her private school's fifth grade lesson. She stated, "I am not terrified of the Taliban. Why should I be?" says the narrator. Students had been summoned to class four days prior. The Taliban have stated that kids will be separated by gender, but this is already the case in many institutions, with the exception of the early classes. The Taliban have stated that children will be separated by gender, which is already the case in many Afghan institutions for older kids. The Taliban's acting higher education minister stated on Sunday that Afghan women would be able to attend university, but that mixed classes would be prohibited under their rule. "Afghans won't abandon Islam, Afghans won't accept slavery, they won't neglect their national values," Haqqani said. The Taliban have also said that they want good relations with the international community and have promised a more moderate form of Islamic rule than last time. However, the group's public rhetoric has still left Afghans deeply skeptical. (With inputs from agencies)

Not afraid of Taliban, why should I be: Afghan schoolgirl after US troops' departure 

The Panjshir resistance forces have said that they repelled the Taliban attack.

Panjshir resistance forces repel Taliban attack

The UN Security Council passed a resolution that calls for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children.

UN Security Council urges Taliban to allow travel, aid to Afghans

Ending the brutal 20-year old war, the US military has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan. America's war with Afghanistan will be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises, and frantic final exit.

US forces leave Afghanistan ahead of August 31 deadline | The end of America's longest war

The United Nations Security Council pressed the Taliban to honor its commitment to let people leave Afghanistan freely. The resolution drafted by the US, Britain and France was passed with no objections. China and Russia however chose to abstain.

UNSC presses Taliban to live up to its promises

After being left behind in the country following the evacuation of international forces, an Afghan interpreter believes working with British and American troops was the "biggest mistake of his life."

The 36-year-old, who was given the code name "Steve-O" by American forces, said that he spent 20 months with the US army in 2009 and 13 months with British troops in 2010. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/surrender-or-die-taliban-pin-chilling-letters-on-doors-says-report-409709">Surrender or die': Taliban pin chilling letters on doors, says report</a>

He attempted to enter the airport, like thousands of other desperate Afghans, to be evacuated from the country, but was unable to do so due to the enormous crowds.&nbsp;

Thousands of Afghan nationals who worked alongside the US during Afghanistan's 20-year conflict face death at the hands of the Taliban.

Many Afghans assisted the US and coalition members as translators, drivers, and in other capacities. They've never been more vulnerable than now that the Taliban has taken power.&nbsp;

Since 2001, 300 Afghan interpreters and their families have been killed as a result of their involvement with American forces, according to the non-profit No One Left Behind.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After being left behind in the country following the evacuation of international forces, an Afghan interpreter believes working with British and American troops was the "biggest mistake of his life.

After being left behind in the country following the evacuation of international forces, an Afghan interpreter believes working with British and American troops was the "biggest mistake of his life." The 36-year-old, who was given the code name "Steve-O" by American forces, said that he spent 20 months with the US army in 2009 and 13 months with British troops in 2010. Also read | Surrender or die': Taliban pin chilling letters on doors, says report He attempted to enter the airport, like thousands of other desperate Afghans, to be evacuated from the country, but was unable to do so due to the enormous crowds. Thousands of Afghan nationals who worked alongside the US during Afghanistan's 20-year conflict face death at the hands of the Taliban. Many Afghans assisted the US and coalition members as translators, drivers, and in other capacities. They've never been more vulnerable than now that the Taliban has taken power. Since 2001, 300 Afghan interpreters and their families have been killed as a result of their involvement with American forces, according to the non-profit No One Left Behind. (With inputs from agencies)

Working with UK and US 'biggest mistake of my life': Afghan interpreter left in Kabul

Anti-Taliban forces train in Panjshir Valley: A challenge for the Taliban in Afghanistan

Afghanistan will form a government within days, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Tuesday, after weeks of uncertainty following the Taliban's conquest of the country.

"We expect that a consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan," Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a news conference in Islamabad.

Afghanistan will form a government within days, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Tuesday, after weeks of uncertainty following the Taliban's conquest of the country.

Afghanistan will form a government within days, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Tuesday, after weeks of uncertainty following the Taliban's conquest of the country. "We expect that a consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan," Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a news conference in Islamabad.

Afghan government to be formed in days, says Pakistan foreign minister

The Pentagon announced Monday that the last US troops had left Afghanistan. However, the Taliban fired their guns in the air celebrating victory after a 20-year long war.

Pentagon & Taliban confirm final US soldier leaves Afghanistan

In an interview, the Taliban commanders have called on their countrymen to not leave Afghanistan as many Afghans are still seeking to flee the country.

Taliban tells Afghans 'stay and live in your homeland'

Even before the last U.S. flight left Kabul at midnight on Monday, many of the bright and garish sights and sounds of city life in Afghanistan were changing as those left behind tried to fit in with the austere tone of their new Taliban rulers.

The Taliban have so far been at pains to show a more conciliatory face to the world, with none of the harsh public punishments and outright bans on public entertainments that characterized their previous time in power before 2001.

Cultural activities are allowed, they say, so long as they do not go against Sharia law and Afghanistan's Islamic culture.

Taliban authorities in Kandahar, the birthplace of the movement issued a formal order against radio stations playing music and female announcers last week but for many, no formal order was necessary.

Already, colourful signs outside beauty parlours have been painted over, jeans have been replaced by traditional dress and radio stations have replaced their normal menu of Hindi and Persian pop and call-in shows with sombre patriotic music.

"It's not that the Taliban ordered us to change anything, we have altered the programming for now as we don't want Taliban to force us to close down," said Khalid Sediqqi, a producer at a private radio station in the central city of Ghazni.

"Also no one in this country is in the mood for entertainment, we are all in a state of shock," he said. "I am not even sure if anyone is tuning to radio anymore."

During the 20 years of Western-backed government, a lively popular culture grew up in Kabul and other cities with a mashup of body building, energy drinks, extravagant sculpted hairstyles and jangly pop songs. Turkish soap operas, call-in programmes and television talent shows like 'Afghan Star' became major hits.

'TOXIC'

For senior Taliban, many raised in religious madrassas and with the experience of years of fighting and hardship, the change is overdue.

"Our culture has become toxic, we see Russian and American influence everywhere even in the food we eat, that is something people should realise and make necessary changes," a Taliban commander said. "This will take time but it will happen."

Across the country, the change has been noticeable.

While senior Taliban officials have said repeatedly their forces should treat the population respectfully and not hand out arbitrary punishments, many mistrust them or don't believe they can control the footsoldiers on the streets.

"There is no music in all Jalalalad city, people are scared and afraid because Taliban are beating people," Naseem, a former official in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

Zarifullah Sahel, a local journalist in Laghman province near Kabul said the head of the Taliban's local cultural commission told the state-run public radio and six other private stations to adjust their programming to ensure it was in line with Sharia law.

Since then music programmes and political, cultural and news programming not related to religious issues had dried up.

But even where formal orders have not been issued, the message that the freewheeling era has come to an end and that it is safer not to stand out has been clear.

"I fear the Taliban may target me if was seen wearing jeans or western shirts or a suit," said Mustafa Ali Rahman, a former tax official in Lagman province. "One just doesn't know what they can do to punish us."

A former civil activist in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif said shops and restaurants appeared to have decided for themselves and turned off their radios.

"There is no warning about music, but people themselves have stopped," he said.

Even before the last U.S. flight left Kabul at midnight on Monday, many of the bright and garish sights and sounds of city life in Afghanistan were changing as those left behind tried to fit in with the austere tone of their new Taliban rulers.

Even before the last U.S. flight left Kabul at midnight on Monday, many of the bright and garish sights and sounds of city life in Afghanistan were changing as those left behind tried to fit in with the austere tone of their new Taliban rulers. The Taliban have so far been at pains to show a more conciliatory face to the world, with none of the harsh public punishments and outright bans on public entertainments that characterized their previous time in power before 2001. Cultural activities are allowed, they say, so long as they do not go against Sharia law and Afghanistan's Islamic culture. Taliban authorities in Kandahar, the birthplace of the movement issued a formal order against radio stations playing music and female announcers last week but for many, no formal order was necessary. Already, colourful signs outside beauty parlours have been painted over, jeans have been replaced by traditional dress and radio stations have replaced their normal menu of Hindi and Persian pop and call-in shows with sombre patriotic music. "It's not that the Taliban ordered us to change anything, we have altered the programming for now as we don't want Taliban to force us to close down," said Khalid Sediqqi, a producer at a private radio station in the central city of Ghazni. "Also no one in this country is in the mood for entertainment, we are all in a state of shock," he said. "I am not even sure if anyone is tuning to radio anymore." During the 20 years of Western-backed government, a lively popular culture grew up in Kabul and other cities with a mashup of body building, energy drinks, extravagant sculpted hairstyles and jangly pop songs. Turkish soap operas, call-in programmes and television talent shows like 'Afghan Star' became major hits. 'TOXIC' For senior Taliban, many raised in religious madrassas and with the experience of years of fighting and hardship, the change is overdue. "Our culture has become toxic, we see Russian and American influence everywhere even in the food we eat, that is something people should realise and make necessary changes," a Taliban commander said. "This will take time but it will happen." Across the country, the change has been noticeable. While senior Taliban officials have said repeatedly their forces should treat the population respectfully and not hand out arbitrary punishments, many mistrust them or don't believe they can control the footsoldiers on the streets. "There is no music in all Jalalalad city, people are scared and afraid because Taliban are beating people," Naseem, a former official in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Zarifullah Sahel, a local journalist in Laghman province near Kabul said the head of the Taliban's local cultural commission told the state-run public radio and six other private stations to adjust their programming to ensure it was in line with Sharia law. Since then music programmes and political, cultural and news programming not related to religious issues had dried up. But even where formal orders have not been issued, the message that the freewheeling era has come to an end and that it is safer not to stand out has been clear. "I fear the Taliban may target me if was seen wearing jeans or western shirts or a suit," said Mustafa Ali Rahman, a former tax official in Lagman province. "One just doesn't know what they can do to punish us." A former civil activist in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif said shops and restaurants appeared to have decided for themselves and turned off their radios. "There is no warning about music, but people themselves have stopped," he said.

As Afghanistan adjusts to Taliban rule, music goes silent

Taliban&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;Zabihullah&nbsp;Mujahid&nbsp;on Tuesday urged Taliban soldiers to 'treat the people well', adding that they were entitled to 'peace'. His remarks came hours after the last of the United States and allied troops withdrew from Kabul airport.

Al-Emarah, a Taliban-affiliated media outlet published footage of Mujahid's interaction with the&nbsp;Badri 313 unit. In the footage, elite soldiers from the Badri 313 unit were seen standing before Mujahid, decked in modern military fatigues.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-us-troops-leave-afghanistan-taliban-strike-panjshir-killing-7-fighters-409743" hreflang="en">After US troops leave Afghanistan, Taliban strike Panjshir, killing 7 fighters</a>

Speaking in Pashto, he said to the Taliban soldiers&nbsp;"we praise your sacrifices, and this (victory) is due to the blessings of your sacrifices. It is due to the sacrifices of our&nbsp;mujahideen. Due to the sincerity, perseverance, and patience of our elders, we gained our freedom."

He congratulated them and said that he hopes Afghanistan will never again be occupied and will be a free, prosperous country inhabited by Afghans and that there will be an Islamic government in place.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/surrender-or-die-taliban-pin-chilling-letters-on-doors-says-report-409709" hreflang="en">'Surrender or die': Taliban pin chilling letters on doors, says report</a>

Adding a word of caution to his congratulatory message he said "However, I still ask you to be very careful in behaving with people. The nation has suffered a lot, and they have been repressed because of the occupation, have seen problems for 20 years, and can no longer tolerate misbehaviour."

Finally, he noted that ensuring that Afghans are treated properly by the military is important, proclaiming, "we are the servants of the nation", and that the Taliban is not there to dominate the people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-taliban-gain-complete-control-of-afghanistan-kabul-residents-hold-on-to-hope-for-a-peaceful-future-409727" hreflang="en">As Taliban gain complete control of Afghanistan, Kabul residents hold on to hope for a 'peaceful' future</a>

In spite of this the people, however, remain sceptical&nbsp;of the future they face.&nbsp;As the Taliban celebrated&nbsp;the withdrawal of US troops, many Afghan&nbsp;residents of Kabul fear a return to the Taliban's infamous 1996-2001 rule where women and girls especially were treated harshly.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A minute before midnight, the last US forces left on C-17 aircraft, ending Washington's embarrassing departure from Afghanistan and bringing an end to a war that ironically left the Islamist militia stronger than it was in 2001.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday urged Taliban soldiers to 'treat the people well', adding that they were entitled to 'peace'. His remarks came hours after the last of the United States and allied troops withdrew from Kabul airport.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday urged Taliban soldiers to 'treat the people well', adding that they were entitled to 'peace'. His remarks came hours after the last of the United States and allied troops withdrew from Kabul airport. Al-Emarah, a Taliban-affiliated media outlet published footage of Mujahid's interaction with the Badri 313 unit. In the footage, elite soldiers from the Badri 313 unit were seen standing before Mujahid, decked in modern military fatigues. Also read | After US troops leave Afghanistan, Taliban strike Panjshir, killing 7 fighters Speaking in Pashto, he said to the Taliban soldiers "we praise your sacrifices, and this (victory) is due to the blessings of your sacrifices. It is due to the sacrifices of our mujahideen. Due to the sincerity, perseverance, and patience of our elders, we gained our freedom." He congratulated them and said that he hopes Afghanistan will never again be occupied and will be a free, prosperous country inhabited by Afghans and that there will be an Islamic government in place. Also read | 'Surrender or die': Taliban pin chilling letters on doors, says report Adding a word of caution to his congratulatory message he said "However, I still ask you to be very careful in behaving with people. The nation has suffered a lot, and they have been repressed because of the occupation, have seen problems for 20 years, and can no longer tolerate misbehaviour." Finally, he noted that ensuring that Afghans are treated properly by the military is important, proclaiming, "we are the servants of the nation", and that the Taliban is not there to dominate the people. Also read | As Taliban gain complete control of Afghanistan, Kabul residents hold on to hope for a 'peaceful' future In spite of this the people, however, remain sceptical of the future they face. As the Taliban celebrated the withdrawal of US troops, many Afghan residents of Kabul fear a return to the Taliban's infamous 1996-2001 rule where women and girls especially were treated harshly. A minute before midnight, the last US forces left on C-17 aircraft, ending Washington's embarrassing departure from Afghanistan and bringing an end to a war that ironically left the Islamist militia stronger than it was in 2001. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban spokesperson asks soldiers to 'treat the people well', citizens however remain sceptic

The UK has said that it is "ready" to launch strikes at the ISIS-K terror network in Afghanistan after the Pentagon revealed that there are at least 2,000 fighters of the outfit in the war-torn country.

The Islamic State's Afghanistan affiliate, dubbed Islamic State Khorasan or ISIS-K, had claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in which 169 Afghans and 13 American soldiers were killed on Thursday.

Britain's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper on Monday that the UK could be involved in strikes against ISIS-K.

He was speaking after the UK and the US troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.

"The UK stands united with our coalition partners in mourning those killed by Daesh's (ISIS) horrific attack at Kabul airport and in our unwavering collective resolve to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate.

"If there's an opportunity for us to contribute, I am in no doubt that we will be ready to. That will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there," said Wigston.

According to the newspaper, UK government officials have reportedly examined logistics for air strikes, raising questions about where Royal Air Force (RAF) jets would be based, how they would refuel and how targets would be identified on the ground.

"Ultimately, what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh (ISIS), whether it's strikes, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed, " Wigston said.

When UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was on Tuesday asked to reflect on the comments, he said while he would not go into "operational details", the UK retains the right to exercise "self-defence" and that must include "in relation to terrorist groups operating from abroad".

Raab is among the signatories of a joint statement issued by the US-led coalition that previously targeted ISIS in Syria and Iraq, vowing to "draw on all elements of national power - military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, and law enforcement" to crush the terror group.

The minister said the UK needs to face the "new reality" in Afghanistan and work with other nations to exercise a "moderating influence" on the Taliban and hold it to its pledge of safe passage for those who want to leave.

He said over 5,000 UK nationals were among more than 17,000 people evacuated by the UK from Afghanistan and that UK nationals still there were in the "low hundreds".

Raab also reiterated that the UK government does not recognise some claims that the UK asked for a gate at Kabul airport to be left open to assist its evacuation hours before last week's suicide bombing - despite US military leaders wanting to close it to minimise the risk.

"We did everything we could once we were alerted to the threat before the explosion took place to mitigate the risk," Raab told the BBC.

In a draft resolution adopted on Monday evening under India's presidency, the United Nations Security Council urged the Taliban to let people leave the country, and not to allow it to become a base for terrorism.

The resolution, drafted by the UK and France, was passed with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions -- China and Russia.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US' complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war. This forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country to the UAE.

The Taliban insurgents stormed across Afghanistan and captured all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away.

Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners have fled the country to escape the new Taliban regime and to seek asylum in different nations, including the US and many European nations, resulting in total chaos and deaths.&nbsp;

The UK has said that it is "ready" to launch strikes at the ISIS-K terror network in Afghanistan after the Pentagon revealed that there are at least 2,000 fighters of the outfit in the war-torn country.

The UK has said that it is "ready" to launch strikes at the ISIS-K terror network in Afghanistan after the Pentagon revealed that there are at least 2,000 fighters of the outfit in the war-torn country. The Islamic State's Afghanistan affiliate, dubbed Islamic State Khorasan or ISIS-K, had claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in which 169 Afghans and 13 American soldiers were killed on Thursday. Britain's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper on Monday that the UK could be involved in strikes against ISIS-K. He was speaking after the UK and the US troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. "The UK stands united with our coalition partners in mourning those killed by Daesh's (ISIS) horrific attack at Kabul airport and in our unwavering collective resolve to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate. "If there's an opportunity for us to contribute, I am in no doubt that we will be ready to. That will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there," said Wigston. According to the newspaper, UK government officials have reportedly examined logistics for air strikes, raising questions about where Royal Air Force (RAF) jets would be based, how they would refuel and how targets would be identified on the ground. "Ultimately, what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh (ISIS), whether it's strikes, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed, " Wigston said. When UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was on Tuesday asked to reflect on the comments, he said while he would not go into "operational details", the UK retains the right to exercise "self-defence" and that must include "in relation to terrorist groups operating from abroad". Raab is among the signatories of a joint statement issued by the US-led coalition that previously targeted ISIS in Syria and Iraq, vowing to "draw on all elements of national power - military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, and law enforcement" to crush the terror group. The minister said the UK needs to face the "new reality" in Afghanistan and work with other nations to exercise a "moderating influence" on the Taliban and hold it to its pledge of safe passage for those who want to leave. He said over 5,000 UK nationals were among more than 17,000 people evacuated by the UK from Afghanistan and that UK nationals still there were in the "low hundreds". Raab also reiterated that the UK government does not recognise some claims that the UK asked for a gate at Kabul airport to be left open to assist its evacuation hours before last week's suicide bombing - despite US military leaders wanting to close it to minimise the risk. "We did everything we could once we were alerted to the threat before the explosion took place to mitigate the risk," Raab told the BBC. In a draft resolution adopted on Monday evening under India's presidency, the United Nations Security Council urged the Taliban to let people leave the country, and not to allow it to become a base for terrorism. The resolution, drafted by the UK and France, was passed with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions -- China and Russia. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US' complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war. This forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country to the UAE. The Taliban insurgents stormed across Afghanistan and captured all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away. Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners have fled the country to escape the new Taliban regime and to seek asylum in different nations, including the US and many European nations, resulting in total chaos and deaths.

Ready to launch strikes against ISIS-K in Afghanistan: UK 

Recent attacks on Kabul’s international airport by the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate raise multiple questions as well as the spectre of paradigm shifts in the drivers and expanding geography of political violence.

The attacks have called into question the Taliban’s ability to maintain security and keep a lid on the activities of multiple militant groups in Afghanistan. Long at war with the Islamic State (IS), the Taliban have promised to ensure that neither IS nor groups with which it maintains good relations will be allowed to use the Central Asian state for cross border attacks in the region.

That may be easier said than done even though Al Qaeda, which launched the most spectacular and successful of jihadist attacks on 9/11 almost two decades ago, may turn out to be the least of the Taliban’s jihadist worries.

Analyst Abdul Sayed noted that Al Qaeda, in an effort to prevent the United States from driving it out of Afghanistan and Pakistan, has “shifted focus from global terrorist attacks and external operations to supporting local jihadist groups throughout South Asia, and fuelling the narratives that underpin their objectives. This shift helped build resilience, allowing al-Qaeda to survive despite the massive blows inflicted by the United States and its allies.”

The shift was further driven by the success of Western counter-terrorism agencies in reducing Al Qaeda’s ability to attack the West. “2011 did mark the end of al Qaeda’s war on the West. The group lives on as a set of regional militias with local agendas in places such as Somalia, but it has not successfully conducted a serious attack on the West for almost a decade,” said political violence scholar Thomas Hegghammer.

Mr. Hegghammer went on to say that “by 2018, the number of jihadi plots and attacks in Europe had been cut in half compared to 2016, and the flow of foreign fighters had dried up entirely. What is more remarkable, every jihadi assault in Europe since 2017 has been carried out by a lone individual, suggesting that it has become very difficult to plan group attacks. Similarly, no terrorist strike since 2017 has involved explosives: instead, the attackers have used simpler weapons, such as guns, knives, and vehicles.”

By the same token, Western successes have persuaded most analysts that the Islamic State, like Al Qaeda, is unlikely to be able to launch trans-national attacks in the West from Afghanistan any time soon.

As a result, the Taliban’s security problems are likely to be domestic and regional rather than hail from transnational jihadist groups who have long dominated analysis of and discourse about political violence.

What that means in practice is that the Taliban’s war with the Islamic State will be a domestic fight that could threaten efforts to stabilize the country and ensure good relations with Afghanistan’s neighbours.

The Islamic State is banking on the hope that disgruntled Taliban unhappy with a movement that once in government could be forced to compromise on its principles and moderate its policies will join its ranks.

Foreign fighters such as the Uighurs may also opt to throw in their lot with the Islamic State, which in the past has threatened China. Discontent members of ethnic minorities could do the same or join groups like the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) which has a presence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban are expected to include representatives of ethnic minorities in their government in a nod to both various segments of the population as well as Afghanistan’s neighbours.

“ISIS-K will try to assassinate Taliban leaders behaving in a pragmatic manner. Mullah Baradar is likely a key target particularly in the light of his meeting with D/CIA last Mon. Eliminating Baradar helps ISIS-K undermine Taliban efforts to consolidate power,” tweeted South Asia scholar, Kamran Bokhari referring to a commonly used acronym for the Islamic State in Afghanistan.

A co-founder of the Taliban, Abdul Ghani Baradar is widely viewed as a compromiser and problem solver. He reportedly met last week with CIA Director William J. Burns.

Al Qaeda’s local focus; the fact that Uighur, Uzbek and other Central Asians may concentrate on their own countries; and the Islamic State’s limited capability suggest a potential paradigm shift in the drivers and expanding geography of political violence in South and Central Asia.

The shift could be boosted by the perceived defeat of the United States, the second superpower to bite the dust in Afghanistan in a war against Islamic militants. The American withdrawal means that the US no longer is a prime target in the region.

In discussing the fallout for Pakistan of the Taliban victory, analysts have by and large focussed on Pakistan as fertile ground for the spread of Taliban-style religious ultra-conservatism as well as concerns that it would enable, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), more commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, to rekindle their campaign of attacks in Pakistan.

The TTP is a coalition of Pashtun Islamist groups with close ties to the Afghan Taliban that last year joined forces with several other militant Pakistani groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a violently anti-Shiite Sunni Muslim supremacist organization.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid left the door open on the Taliban’s relationship with the TTP.

"The issue of the TTP is one that Pakistan will have to deal with, not Afghanistan. It is up to Pakistan, and Pakistani Islamic scholars and religious figures, not the Taliban, to decide on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of their war and to formulate a strategy in response," Mr. Mujahid told a Pakistani tv program. The spokesman stopped short of saying whether the Taliban would abide by a decision of the scholars.

The Taliban reportedly have advised the TTP to restrict their fight to Pakistani soil and have offered to negotiate with the Pakistan government an amnesty and the return of the Pakistani militants to the South Asian nation,” according to Afghan sources. &nbsp;

The TTP is believed to be responsible for the killing this week of two Pakistani soldiers on the border with Afghanistan.

“Our fight against Pakistan will continue until we establish it as an Islamic state. We will not spare their dollar-dependent soldiers and politicians,” said TTP commander Molvi Faqeer Mohamad.

A wanted man in Pakistan, Mr. Mohamad was speaking to Al Jazeera after having been freed from jail in one of the Taliban’s many prison breaks. The US-backed government of Ashraf Ghani had refused to extradite Mr. Mohamad to Pakistan.

Only a few analysts have pointed to what would constitute the greatest threat to Pakistan: the potential coalescing of a campaign of TTP violence with the notion of merging Pashtun-populated areas of Pakistan with Afghanistan.

The intertwining of Pashtun national identity and Islam resounds in a Pashto poem quoted by Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban official and brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group’s deputy leader: “The essence of my Pashto is so Islamic, Were there no Islam, I would still be a Muslim,” a couplet of the poem says. Mr. Haqqani quoted the couplet while discussing Pashtun identity with no reference to geopolitics.

“Pashtuns of the Afghan Taliban will, after a few years in power, find common cause with their Pashtun kinsmen in Pakistan… There are plenty of Pakistani Pashtuns who would prefer the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North-West Frontier Province) to be part of a wider Pashtunistan,” predicted scholar and former British ambassador to Pakistan Tim Willasey-Wilsey.

Other analysts have privately argued that a Pakistan-dominated Pashtunistan embedded in a broader Asian confederation would counter the various threats Pakistan is concerned about, including the TTP, ultra-conservatism, and secession.

The views of these analysts embody the Pakistani military and government’s worst fears: the undermining of Islam as Pakistan’s glue by ethnic cleavages. It is a fear that was first expressed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the country’s founder who warned against the “poison of provincialism.” The fear has been reinforced by the secession of predominantly Bengal East Pakistan to form Bangladesh in 1971.

“The time is now ripe for America and its allies to marginalize the remnants of radical Islamdom in South-Central Asia as a first step in generating a mega-confederation of free peoples extending from Pashtunistan in the West all the way to and including Indonesia in the East,” said a former Western government official-turned-scholar.

“The key step for Pakistan in countering the extremism of radical Muslims trained by the Saudi Wahhabis is simply to absorb the western half of Pashtunistan, which includes the southern two-thirds of Afghanistan, and the eastern half which makes up most of the western third of Pakistan, into a new Province of Pashtunistan in a greater Pakistan confederation as a model for the world and especially for the looser confederation extending across India to Indonesia,” the scholar said.

Pakistan last year cracked down on the Pashtun Tahafuz (Protection) Movement, or PTM, a non-violent protest movement demanding rights for Pashtuns in Pakistan’s former Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Pakistan is completing a physical barrier to any changes along the Durand Line that separates it from Afghanistan, the country’s longest border, with the construction of a US$500 million, 2,600-kilometre-long wall. &nbsp;

The wall, conceived to keep militants and potential refugees on the Afghan side of the border, is being bolstered by state-of-the-art surveillance technology and multiple fortresses. Pakistan has closed 75 of its 78 border crossings in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

Much of the border is mountainous and in the words of a former Pakistani military officer &nbsp;“good territory for guerrillas to operate and hide in.”

The notion of Pashtunistan or a confederation that includes archrivals Pakistan and India as well as countries as diverse as Indonesia may be far-fetched to say the least but is certain to ring bells in Islambad.

Those bells may already be ring after Taliban official Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai declared in a rare statement on foreign policy that “we give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard.”

Said scholar and author Pervez Hoodbhoy: “Like it or not, AfPak has become reality. Despised in Pakistan because of its American origin, this term rings true. Geographical proximity is now augmented by the ideological proximity of rulers in both countries. Taliban-style thinking is bound to spread through the length and breadth of Pakistan.”

AfPak was a term used by the US government to signal that Afghanistan and Pakistan constituted a single theatre of operations in the war on terror.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Recent attacks on Kabul’s international airport by the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate raise multiple questions as well as the spectre of paradigm shifts in the drivers and expanding geography of political violence.

Recent attacks on Kabul’s international airport by the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate raise multiple questions as well as the spectre of paradigm shifts in the drivers and expanding geography of political violence. The attacks have called into question the Taliban’s ability to maintain security and keep a lid on the activities of multiple militant groups in Afghanistan. Long at war with the Islamic State (IS), the Taliban have promised to ensure that neither IS nor groups with which it maintains good relations will be allowed to use the Central Asian state for cross border attacks in the region. That may be easier said than done even though Al Qaeda, which launched the most spectacular and successful of jihadist attacks on 9/11 almost two decades ago, may turn out to be the least of the Taliban’s jihadist worries. Analyst Abdul Sayed noted that Al Qaeda, in an effort to prevent the United States from driving it out of Afghanistan and Pakistan, has “shifted focus from global terrorist attacks and external operations to supporting local jihadist groups throughout South Asia, and fuelling the narratives that underpin their objectives. This shift helped build resilience, allowing al-Qaeda to survive despite the massive blows inflicted by the United States and its allies.” The shift was further driven by the success of Western counter-terrorism agencies in reducing Al Qaeda’s ability to attack the West. “2011 did mark the end of al Qaeda’s war on the West. The group lives on as a set of regional militias with local agendas in places such as Somalia, but it has not successfully conducted a serious attack on the West for almost a decade,” said political violence scholar Thomas Hegghammer. Mr. Hegghammer went on to say that “by 2018, the number of jihadi plots and attacks in Europe had been cut in half compared to 2016, and the flow of foreign fighters had dried up entirely. What is more remarkable, every jihadi assault in Europe since 2017 has been carried out by a lone individual, suggesting that it has become very difficult to plan group attacks. Similarly, no terrorist strike since 2017 has involved explosives: instead, the attackers have used simpler weapons, such as guns, knives, and vehicles.” By the same token, Western successes have persuaded most analysts that the Islamic State, like Al Qaeda, is unlikely to be able to launch trans-national attacks in the West from Afghanistan any time soon. As a result, the Taliban’s security problems are likely to be domestic and regional rather than hail from transnational jihadist groups who have long dominated analysis of and discourse about political violence. What that means in practice is that the Taliban’s war with the Islamic State will be a domestic fight that could threaten efforts to stabilize the country and ensure good relations with Afghanistan’s neighbours. The Islamic State is banking on the hope that disgruntled Taliban unhappy with a movement that once in government could be forced to compromise on its principles and moderate its policies will join its ranks. Foreign fighters such as the Uighurs may also opt to throw in their lot with the Islamic State, which in the past has threatened China. Discontent members of ethnic minorities could do the same or join groups like the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) which has a presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban are expected to include representatives of ethnic minorities in their government in a nod to both various segments of the population as well as Afghanistan’s neighbours. “ISIS-K will try to assassinate Taliban leaders behaving in a pragmatic manner. Mullah Baradar is likely a key target particularly in the light of his meeting with D/CIA last Mon. Eliminating Baradar helps ISIS-K undermine Taliban efforts to consolidate power,” tweeted South Asia scholar, Kamran Bokhari referring to a commonly used acronym for the Islamic State in Afghanistan. A co-founder of the Taliban, Abdul Ghani Baradar is widely viewed as a compromiser and problem solver. He reportedly met last week with CIA Director William J. Burns. Al Qaeda’s local focus; the fact that Uighur, Uzbek and other Central Asians may concentrate on their own countries; and the Islamic State’s limited capability suggest a potential paradigm shift in the drivers and expanding geography of political violence in South and Central Asia. The shift could be boosted by the perceived defeat of the United States, the second superpower to bite the dust in Afghanistan in a war against Islamic militants. The American withdrawal means that the US no longer is a prime target in the region. In discussing the fallout for Pakistan of the Taliban victory, analysts have by and large focussed on Pakistan as fertile ground for the spread of Taliban-style religious ultra-conservatism as well as concerns that it would enable, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), more commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, to rekindle their campaign of attacks in Pakistan. The TTP is a coalition of Pashtun Islamist groups with close ties to the Afghan Taliban that last year joined forces with several other militant Pakistani groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a violently anti-Shiite Sunni Muslim supremacist organization. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid left the door open on the Taliban’s relationship with the TTP. "The issue of the TTP is one that Pakistan will have to deal with, not Afghanistan. It is up to Pakistan, and Pakistani Islamic scholars and religious figures, not the Taliban, to decide on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of their war and to formulate a strategy in response," Mr. Mujahid told a Pakistani tv program. The spokesman stopped short of saying whether the Taliban would abide by a decision of the scholars. The Taliban reportedly have advised the TTP to restrict their fight to Pakistani soil and have offered to negotiate with the Pakistan government an amnesty and the return of the Pakistani militants to the South Asian nation,” according to Afghan sources. The TTP is believed to be responsible for the killing this week of two Pakistani soldiers on the border with Afghanistan. “Our fight against Pakistan will continue until we establish it as an Islamic state. We will not spare their dollar-dependent soldiers and politicians,” said TTP commander Molvi Faqeer Mohamad. A wanted man in Pakistan, Mr. Mohamad was speaking to Al Jazeera after having been freed from jail in one of the Taliban’s many prison breaks. The US-backed government of Ashraf Ghani had refused to extradite Mr. Mohamad to Pakistan. Only a few analysts have pointed to what would constitute the greatest threat to Pakistan: the potential coalescing of a campaign of TTP violence with the notion of merging Pashtun-populated areas of Pakistan with Afghanistan. The intertwining of Pashtun national identity and Islam resounds in a Pashto poem quoted by Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban official and brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group’s deputy leader: “The essence of my Pashto is so Islamic, Were there no Islam, I would still be a Muslim,” a couplet of the poem says. Mr. Haqqani quoted the couplet while discussing Pashtun identity with no reference to geopolitics. “Pashtuns of the Afghan Taliban will, after a few years in power, find common cause with their Pashtun kinsmen in Pakistan… There are plenty of Pakistani Pashtuns who would prefer the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North-West Frontier Province) to be part of a wider Pashtunistan,” predicted scholar and former British ambassador to Pakistan Tim Willasey-Wilsey. Other analysts have privately argued that a Pakistan-dominated Pashtunistan embedded in a broader Asian confederation would counter the various threats Pakistan is concerned about, including the TTP, ultra-conservatism, and secession. The views of these analysts embody the Pakistani military and government’s worst fears: the undermining of Islam as Pakistan’s glue by ethnic cleavages. It is a fear that was first expressed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the country’s founder who warned against the “poison of provincialism.” The fear has been reinforced by the secession of predominantly Bengal East Pakistan to form Bangladesh in 1971. “The time is now ripe for America and its allies to marginalize the remnants of radical Islamdom in South-Central Asia as a first step in generating a mega-confederation of free peoples extending from Pashtunistan in the West all the way to and including Indonesia in the East,” said a former Western government official-turned-scholar. “The key step for Pakistan in countering the extremism of radical Muslims trained by the Saudi Wahhabis is simply to absorb the western half of Pashtunistan, which includes the southern two-thirds of Afghanistan, and the eastern half which makes up most of the western third of Pakistan, into a new Province of Pashtunistan in a greater Pakistan confederation as a model for the world and especially for the looser confederation extending across India to Indonesia,” the scholar said. Pakistan last year cracked down on the Pashtun Tahafuz (Protection) Movement, or PTM, a non-violent protest movement demanding rights for Pashtuns in Pakistan’s former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Pakistan is completing a physical barrier to any changes along the Durand Line that separates it from Afghanistan, the country’s longest border, with the construction of a US$500 million, 2,600-kilometre-long wall. The wall, conceived to keep militants and potential refugees on the Afghan side of the border, is being bolstered by state-of-the-art surveillance technology and multiple fortresses. Pakistan has closed 75 of its 78 border crossings in the wake of the Taliban takeover. Much of the border is mountainous and in the words of a former Pakistani military officer “good territory for guerrillas to operate and hide in.” The notion of Pashtunistan or a confederation that includes archrivals Pakistan and India as well as countries as diverse as Indonesia may be far-fetched to say the least but is certain to ring bells in Islambad. Those bells may already be ring after Taliban official Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai declared in a rare statement on foreign policy that “we give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard.” Said scholar and author Pervez Hoodbhoy: “Like it or not, AfPak has become reality. Despised in Pakistan because of its American origin, this term rings true. Geographical proximity is now augmented by the ideological proximity of rulers in both countries. Taliban-style thinking is bound to spread through the length and breadth of Pakistan.” AfPak was a term used by the US government to signal that Afghanistan and Pakistan constituted a single theatre of operations in the war on terror. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | AfPak takes on a new meaning with the rise of the Taliban

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