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Biden says ME more ‘stable, secure’; critic points out ‘shambolic’ withdrawal
US President Joe Biden claimed in a Saturday Washington Post Op-Ed that the Middle East is more "stable and secure" than when he took office.
"The Middle East I’ll be visiting is more stable and secure than the one my administration inherited 18 months ago," Biden wrote.
His comments come despite the decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, which was followed by the collapse of the former government and take over by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).
But in response to his comments, K.T. McFarland, deputy national security adviser to former president Donald Trump spoke with Fox News Digital in response to Biden's op-ed, calling America's withdrawal from Afghanistan "shambolic."
"Our shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan has turned out to be the turning point in America’s position in the world. Ever since, our friends no longer trust us, and our adversaries no longer fear us," McFarland said.
"Biden inherited a Middle East that had just concluded an historic peace agreement between Israel and Sunni Arab nations. Iran was economically devastated because of sanctions and low oil prices. The maximum pressure campaign on Iran was working - they would have soon had no choice but to stop their support of terrorist movements, and cease their nuclear weapons program and sue for peace on our terms. ISIS was defeated, its butcher leaders dead."
McFarland also said that Biden will soon find that the Middle East has "moved on."
"The Arabs and Israelis continue to build momentum of the Abraham Accords, despite Biden’s best efforts to sabotage it. Iran will have deliverable nuclear weapons by the end of Biden’s term. The Saudis, whom Biden has publicly disavowed, will have little incentive to get him out of the oil shortages he has created," McFarland says.
On July 8, 2021, almost two months before the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan took control of Afghanistan, Biden said that an IEA takeover of the country wasn't likely.
Biden however mentioned Afghanistan once in the Op-Ed, but did not discuss the withdrawal of American troops from the country.
Biden's Op-Ed comes less than a week before his first trip to Saudi Arabia since becoming President.
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G7 envoys urge national dialogue for lasting stability in Afghanistan
Special Representatives of the Group of Seven (G7), including the European Union, have emphasized the importance of a national dialogue for achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan.
Following a meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva, Switzerland, G7 special envoys issued a joint statement calling for the restoration of women's rights and urging the Islamic Emirate to fight terrorism.
The statement reads: "Achieving sustainable peace and stability requires credible governance that represents all segments of Afghan society."
The representatives also expressed concern over the IEA’s decision to ban girls from attending medical institutes, warning that it will have devastating consequences for the citizens, particularly mothers and their infants.
The statement described this ban as unacceptable and called on the Afghan authorities to lift it immediately.
Earlier, countries and international organizations had called for the removal of restrictions on the education and employment of women and girls, emphasizing the need for a national dialogue.
In response to these concerns, IEA has repeatedly stated that it will not allow interference in the internal affairs of the country.
The G7 special envoys also expressed their concern about the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the surrounding region, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan's security. They confirmed the actions of the IEA against Daesh but stressed the need for more decisive measures.
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Afghanistan’s bright future lies in educating girls: Karzai
Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, says the demand of Afghan girls for the reopening of schools and universities is their fundamental right and adds that Afghanistan cannot have a bright future without ensuring access to education for girls.
In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai said: "The demand and voice of our country’s girls for education and knowledge is a rightful one and crucial for a prosperous Afghanistan."
He further emphasized, "Empowering the youth—both girls and boys—is the only way to achieve self-reliance, break the cycle of poverty, and drive the development and prosperity of society."
Karzai underscored that education is vital for Afghanistan’s growth and development, expressing hope that the doors of schools and universities for girls will be reopened as soon as possible.
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IEA to set up special courts to address pensions
Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has issued a decree to establish special courts to address pensions, Bakhtar news agency reported on Saturday.
According to the decree, the courts must confirm and process pensions in accordance with Sharia and law.
Pensioners have repeatedly voiced concern over delay in payment, saying that their financial challenges are growing.
Earlier this year, IEA's supreme leader banned money being deducted from salaries of government employees for pensions.
He also requested information on the tenure of employees and the total amount deducted from salaries for pensions.
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