(2021-10-08). The Corruption of the Afghan Presidency. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-08). CrossTalk | Military accountability? warisacrime.org "The Biden administration's decision to leave Afghanistan was correct and long overdue. However, the way America's longest war ended is a different question. It was a botched affair. The generals will most likely never be held to account. But a lone Marine lieutenant colonel does face a court martial. Is this justice? CrossTalking with Medea …
(2021-10-08). How to Avert Afghanistan's Food and Economic Crises. counterpunch.org Afghanistan's humanitarian situation is spiraling into catastrophe. Millions of Afghans are now facing severe economic stress and food insecurity in the wake of the Taliban's August takeover, set off by widespread lost income, cash shortages, and rising food costs. Officials with the UNand several foreign governments are warning of an economic collapse and risks of worsening acute malnutrition and outright
(2021-10-08). Taliban Lacks Necessary Finances To Deliver Functioning Government. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size imageAfghanistan has little economic prospects after 20 years of war. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | The U.S. could not vanquish the Taliban, failed to defeat Al-Qaeda, and were unsuccessful in leaving behind a pluralistic, tolerant and economically-sustainable Afghan state. Washington failed to induce good governance in Afghanistan and to stop Pakistan's multifaceted support for the Taliban. After twenty years of war with the U.S., the Taliban now confronts the hard challenge of governing and managing the economy. | Formal legal incomes make up a small p…
(2021-10-08). At Least 50 Killed In Suicide Attack That Targeted Shiite Mosque In Northern Afghanistan (Videos). southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | On October 8, a large blast rocked a crowded Shiite mosque in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz during Friday prayers. | The blast was reportedly caused by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosive belt among worshippers inside the mosque. | "Today in the afternoon, in the Khanabad Bandar area in the capital city of Kunduz, a blast targeted a mosque belonging to our Shia citizens and martyred and wounded a number of our compatriots," Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the T…
(2021-10-08). The Heat: Afghanistan 20 years after U.S.-led invasion. america.cgtn.com 
Twenty years ago, the United States launched an intense bombing campaign in Afghanistan known as Operation Enduring Freedom. The U.S. and allied forces invaded the country in response to the September 11th attacks.
(2021-10-08). Legislation In Limbo. Dem Caucus In Disarray. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Written by William Stroock, observer, author of military fiction | With inflation rising, the border crisis worsening, and Americans still trapped in Afghanistan, President Biden's approval numbers are bad and getting worse. In a Quinnipiac poll released this week only 38% of those surveyed approved of the president's job performance. On the Economy Biden's approval rating is 39%, taxes 37%, immigration 25%, and foreign policy 34%. Of those polled only 42% believed the Biden Administration was competent. On the congressional front the Quinnipiac poll found that Americans favor Republicans ove…
(2021-10-08). Selected Articles: Twenty Years Ago: US Invasion of Afghanistan. globalresearch.ca 
By CIA responded by preparing to foil Assange's possible Russian-assisted departure to include potential gun battles with Moscow's spies on …
(2021-10-08). Azerbaijan to attend NATO Parliamentary Assembly session, discuss "NATO's Asian partners" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan will be represented at the NATO PA session The 67th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) will be held in Lisbon, Portugal on October 8-11. The event will be attended by MP, member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the NATO PA Kamran Bayramov…. …"Deepening cooperation in science and technology with NATO's Asian …
(2021-10-08). Azerbaijan prepares troops in conquered Nagorno-Karabakh for winter operations. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The Azerbaijani Army has begun preparations for the winter season Supply and security work has begun in the troops, units, formations and military units of the Azerbaijani Army in preparation for the winter season. Special attention is paid to the preparation of the units of the Azerbaijani Army deployed in our liberated territories for the …
(2021-10-08). NATO on the Caspian: 30-year Azerbaijan-Turkey military collaboration reaches "even higher level" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Defence chief receives Turkey's new military attache Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov has received Turkey's newly-appointed military attache Maj-Gen Zakaria Yalcin, the ministry reported on October 8. *** Along with other spheres, Azerbaijan and Turkey tightly cooperate in the military field and periodically hold joint drills to improve interaction and communication between their army units. Military …
(2021-10-08). What Does India Get Out of Being Part of 'The Quad'? counterpunch.org The recent Quad leaders meeting in the White House on September 24 appears to have shifted focus away from its original framing as a security dialogue between four countries, the United States, India, Japan and Australia. Instead, the United States seems to be moving much closer to Australia as a strategic partner and providing it with nuclear submarines. Supplying
(2021-10-08). India to provide pittance in "compensation" to families of COVID-19 dead. wsws.org The Modi government's compensation scheme is a cruel sham. The families of the vast majority of the 5 million Indians whose deaths are attributable to the pandemic will never receive the paltry 50,000 rupee (US$671) payment.
(2021-10-08). Unidentified Drone Targeted Iranian-Backed Forces On Syrian-Iraqi Border: Monitoring Group. southfront.org 
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson. | Late on October 8, an unidentified combat drone targeted several positions of Iranian-backed forces in the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). | The London-based monitoring group said that the targeted positions are located around Aisha hospital in the town of al-Bukamal right along the border with Iraq. The drone strikes caused several fires. However, no casualties were reported. | Iranian-backe…
(2021-10-08). Racial Justice Vs. The Israel Lobby: When Being Pro-Palestine Becomes the New Normal. counterpunch.org There is an unmistakable shift in American politics regarding Palestine and Israel, a change that is inspired by the way in which many Americans, especially the youth, view the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation. While this shift is yet to translate into tangibly diminishing Israel's stronghold over the US Congress, it promises to be
(2021-10-08). After success against Corbyn, Israel lobby ousts UK scholar. dissidentvoice.org 
Britain's pro-Israel lobby gained another important scalp last week after a prolonged campaign of intimidation finally pushed a major UK university into firing one of its lecturers. Bristol University dismissed David Miller, a political sociology professor, even though an official investigation had concluded that accusations of antisemitism against him were unfounded. Research by Miller, a …
(2021-10-08). Israeli media attack journalist who exposed settler violence. electronicintifada.net News program repeats soldier's lie that Basil al-Adraa started a fire to blame it "on the Jews."
(2021-10-08). HMS Queen Elizabeth Leads 16 More International Warships Into South China Sea On "Freedom Of Navigation Patrol" southfront.org 
A British aircraft carrier has led warships from Britain, America, Canada, The Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand into the disputed…
(2021-10-08). The Enigmatic Radicalism of Wilhelm Reich. dissidentvoice.org Despite an enduring fascination with the radical psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957), there has yet to be published a satisfactory intellectual history of Reich's wide-ranging ideas. In particular, scholars have failed to recognize the roots of his concepts in early 19th century Romanticism. I refer here primarily to German Naturphilosophie, which strongly appealed to those temperamentally opposed to …
(2021-10-08). Open Letter to Australian Labor MPs re IHRA & Labor "Progressive Except Palestine" (PEP). dissidentvoice.org At the outset I must declare that I am an anti-racist Jewish Australian scientist and humanitarian writer with a sole allegiance to Australia. Coming from a famous Jewish Hungarian family near-eradicated from Hungary by the WW2 Jewish Holocaust, I am inescapably bound by the key moral imperatives from that catastrophe, to whit "zero tolerance for …
(2021-10-08). Another Missile, Drone Attack Targets Saudi Arabia's Southern Region. southfront.org 
Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing | Late on October 7, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted a ballistic missile and two suicide drones which were launched from Yemen, allegedly by the Houthis (Ansar Allah). | In a statement, the coalition said that the missile and drones were heading towards the city of Khamis Mushait in the southern Saudi province of 'Asir. | "We take operational measures to protect civilians from violations and futile attempts," the statement reads. | Usually, ballistic m…
(2021-10-08). Sri Lankan teachers take nationwide action, defying government bans. wsws.org The protests, which coincided with World Teachers Day, were held in 300 education divisions and involved over 200 teachers at each location.
(2021-10-08). Central Syria Insurgency: Russian Airstrikes Killed, Wounded 44 ISIS Terrorists In Week. southfront.org 
Russian Su-25 attack aircraft take off from the Khmeimim airbase in Syria © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik | Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out more than 200 airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Syria's central region in the first week of October, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on October 8. | According to the London-based monitoring group, the Russian airstrikes targeted hideouts of the terrorist group in the outskirts of Ithriyah, Resafa and other areas in the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle,…
(2021-10-08). Turkey Continues To Deploy Syrian Militants In Libya Despite Recent Reports Of Near Pullout. southfront.org 
illustrative image. | Turkey is preparing to deploy around 330 Syrian militants in Libya despite recent reports of a near Turkish withdrawal from the war-torn country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on October 8. | The London-based monitoring group said that the Syrian militants entered Turkey on two batches over the last few days. The militants will be replacing some 420 others who recently returned to Syria after completing their deployment in Libya. | According to the SOHR, which has been monitoring…
(2021-10-08). Two Pro-Government Civilians Killed By SDF During Protests In Syria's Al-Hasakah (Videos). southfront.org 
Illustrative image, By: sdf-press.com | On October 7, security units of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), known as Asayish, opened fire at a group of government supporters who gathered near the town of Tell Brak in the eastern countryside of al-Hasakah to protest against the US-backed group. | Government supporters were provoked by the SDF's local administration that attempted to move an electricity transformer out from their town. The group reportedly wanted to use the transformer to feed its positions. | Asayish perso…
(2021-10-08). Headlines for October 8, 2021. democracynow.org Pfizer-BioNTech Requests Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccine for Children Aged 5-11, COVID Deaths in Russia Top 900/Day; Venezuela Accuses IMF of Withholding Pandemic Funds, Senate Cmte. Says Trump Repeatedly Asked DOJ for Help Overturning Election Loss, Senate Votes to Lift Debt Ceiling Until Early December, Minneapolis Police Joke About "Hunting Activists" During 2020 Racial Justice Uprising, Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, WSJ: U.S. Military Secretly Training Taiwanese Forces for Possible Conflict with China, Gunmen Kill 2 School Teachers in Kashmir Amid Mounting Attac…
(2021-10-08). Kanal Istanbul: Turkey about to open Black Sea wide open to NATO warships. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Erdogan has repeatedly asserted that the new canal will not be subject to terms of the 1936 Montreux Convention which limit the size of warships entering the Black Sea and the duration of their stay there. Soon NATO will be able to move a veritable armada into the sea. ==== Kanal Istanbul project now at …
(2021-10-08). A Macedonian Ramble: Albania High and Low. counterpunch.org by Matthew Stevenson This is the first part in a series about a journey across what used to be called Macedonia, which is now divided among Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. Just before the world closed in on itself, I decided to travel overland from the Albanian coastline to Istanbul, roughly along the front
(2021-10-08). Turkmenistan Acquired Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Drones Equipped With German-Made Targeting Systems (Photos). southfront.org 
Bayrakdar TB2 UCAV, source: ssb.gov.tr | On September 27, Turkmenistan showcased for the first time ever its newly-acquired Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 combat drones during a military parade commemorating the 30th anniversary of its independency. | Prior to the parade, Turkmenistan was not known to be one of the operators of the Bayraktar TB2. At least three combat drones of this type are currently in service with the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs. |
(2021-10-07). Iron Dome: Don't be deceived, US aid to Israel is not about saving lives. dissidentvoice.org Battles in the US Congress that erupted again this week, holding up an extra $1bn in military funding for Israel, underscored just how divorced from reality the conversation about US financial aid to Israel has become, even among many critics. For 48 hours last month, a small group of progressive Democrats in the US House of Representatives succeeded …
(2021-10-07). U.S.-NATO Offensive Unravels in Afghanistan: The Longest Foreign War in U.S. History. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-07). Headlines for October 7, 2021. democracynow.org Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Texas's Near-Total Ban on Abortions, Senate GOP Leader McConnell to Allow Debt Limit Extension into December, WHO Approves Use of First-Ever Vaccine Against Malaria, U.S. COVID Deaths in 2021 Surpass 2020's Total, U.N. to Pay Salaries of Aid Workers in Afghanistan, U.N. Appoints Envoy to Western Sahara After Two-Year Vacancy, Education Department to Expand Student Loan Forgiveness for Public Workers, Crude Oil Spills from Galveston Bay, TX Refinery, Biden Administration Restores Key Environmental Review Provisions to NEPA, Appeals Court Blocks California Law Banning Private Prisons…
(2021-10-07). Iranian press review: Tehran fury over Israel-Azerbaijan military pact. middleeasteye.net 
Iranian press review: Tehran fury over Israel-Azerbaijan military pact | Meanwhile, conservative MP claims Iranian property investors have 'saved' Turkey's economy, and corruption heavily linked to suicide cases | Thu, 10/07/2021 – 12: 00 | A handout picture made available by the Iranian army official website on October 1, 2021, shows an Iranian army helicopter during a military exercis…
(2021-10-07). Twenty Years Ago: US Invasion of Afghanistan. orinocotribune.com By Shane Quinn — Oct 4, 2021 | Two decades ago on 7 October 2001 the United States, backed by its close allies Britain, Canada and Australia, began a military invasion of Afghanistan in south-central Asia. The US offensive started with aerial bombing raids over Afghanistan's capital and largest city, Kabul, while American air attacks were simultaneously launched against targets in the country's second biggest city Kandahar, 300 miles south-west of Kabul, and Jalalabad, less than 100 miles east of Kabul. | The opening air raids were carried out by 15 American B-1 and B-52 heavy bombers, which descended upon A…
(2021-10-07). Heroin Is "Good for Your Health": Occupation Forces Support Afghan Narcotics Trade. globalresearch.ca Multibillion dollar earnings for organized crime and Western financial Institutions…
(2021-10-07). October 7, 2001, US-NATO Invades Afghanistan: It was an Act of Self Defense. "America was Attacked by an 'Unnamed Foreign Power' on 9/11" globalresearch.ca The legal argument used by Washington and NATO to invade Afghanistan was that the September 11 attacks constituted an undeclared "armed attack" "from abroad" by an unnamed foreign power…
(2021-10-07). Russia to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, says envoy. tass.com "The final decision has been made, the departments are collecting cargo," Russian presidential envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov noted…
(2021-10-07). Comparing Textbooks: Even Afghanistan Scores Better Than Pakistan. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Written by Societal struggles and reform often take unexpected turns in vast swaths of land stretching from the Middle East into Central Asia. | Take education for example. | The Taliban have yet to fulfil their promise
(2021-10-07). Why the World's Eyes Are on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border. counterpunch.org Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a 1,400-kilometer border. Recently, a war of words has erupted between Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon and the Taliban government in Kabul. Rahmon censures the Taliban for the destabilization of Central Asia by the export of militant groups, while the Taliban leadership has accused Tajikistan's government of interference. Earlier this summer, Rahmon
(2021-10-07). US Continues To Betray Allies Despite Its Global Power Being In Decline. southfront.org 
Storm clouds over the White House in Washington, D.C.Many U.S. partners are realizing it is not trustworthy. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | U.S. global dominant power is in terminal decline. This of course does not mean that the U.S. will cease being a superpower, but it is no longer the sole Great Power of the world and no longer wields the global influence it once did. This is reflected with the immense failure of U.S. policies all across the world, whether it be wasting 20 years in Afghanistan for nought, failure to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through proxy force…
(2021-10-07). Aliyev awards Azerbaijani troops for serving NATO in Afghanistan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani peacekeepers serving in Afghanistan awarded —Azerbaijani servicemen acted within the NATO/U.S.-led peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and South Sudan from September 1999. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on awarding servicemen of the Defence Ministry on October 6, Azertag has reported. Under the order, the servicemen, who represented Azerbaijan at a high …
(2021-10-07). Soviet writer Vasily Grossman's final work, An Armenian Sketchbook. wsws.org This volume, presenting an informal account of the author's trip to the small Soviet republic in 1961, is in its own slighter fashion as deeply moving as his monumental war novels.
(2021-10-07). China practices rule of virtue, rule of law, says ambassador. ecns.cn China practices not only the rule of law but also the rule of virtue, said Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang in a keynote speech during a forum organized by the U.S.-Asia Institute on Wednesday.
(2021-10-07). AUKUS Inadvertently Opens Diplomatic Opportunities for Russia with France & India. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2021-10-07). Moon Jae-in Suggests Ending the Korean War; Pyongyang Agrees, but Says It's an Unfavourable Time. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2021-10-07). The Iran-Azerbaijan Standoff Is a Contest for the Region's Transportation Corridors. strategic-culture.org 
By Pepe ESCOBAR | The last thing the complex, work-in-progress drive towards Eurasian integration needs at this stage is this messy affair between Iran and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. | Let's start with the Conquerors of Khaybar — the largest Iranian military exercise in two decades held on its northwestern border with Azerbaijan. Zangezur is one of the strategic areas in the competition for connectivity routes in West Asia and the South Caucasus. | Among the deployed Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units there are some serious players, such as the 21st Tabriz Infant…
(2021-10-07). US Stealth Jets Become First Fighters to Fly from Japanese Ship Since WWII. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2021-10-07). Friday 10/15: Lift Up: Change through Art and Activism (OACC 25th Anniversary Gala). indybay.org Online (Virtual)…
(2021-10-07). Deepening problems for Chinese economy. wsws.org One question being asked in Asian markets is how far the financial crisis will spread to other property developers, which account for a large portion of the high-yield or so-called junk bond market.
(2021-10-07). US Sanctions against India: Delhi's Planned Purchase of Russia's S-400 Air Defense Systems. globalresearch.ca