Latest News
John McCain Slams Trump Administration for Lack of Afghanistan Strategy
U.S. Senator John McCain on Monday blasted the Trump Administration for lacking a strategy in Afghanistan, threatening that Congress would take over if the administration fails to develop one.
McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that if the administration fails to develop a strategy for success, “Congress will need to play a greater role.”
“After nearly 16 years of war, we are at a stalemate in Afghanistan. Worse, we have no strategy to end that stalemate and achieve victory. The recent deaths of three brave American soldiers underscore the urgency for a new strategy to turn the situation around in Afghanistan,” McCain added.
McCain’s criticism is an escalation of Congressional frustration with the Trump Administration’s handling of Afghanistan. McCain has been willing to criticize Trump, but has often has tempered his misgivings by emphasizing his confidence in Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the other members of Trump’s national security team. But those sentiments were absent from Monday’s warning.
“Mattis testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that we are not winning in Afghanistan,” McCain said. “And yet, six months into the new administration, it still has not delivered a strategy. We cannot keep going like this. If the administration fails to develop a strategy for success, Congress will need to play a greater role.”
The Afghan government did not comment on Senator McCain’s remarks, but did emphasize that the strategy will be announced in NATO summit by the end of the month.
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, said Wednesday in a meeting with a number of elders, scholars and youths of the Hazara ethnic group in Kabul that justice in light of Islamic Sharia is applied equally to everyone.
The deputy PM’s office said in a statement that Kabir stressed that discrimination and prejudice have no place in the Islamic system, but the main goal is to serve the people.
“There is no place for ethnic, sectarian and linguistic prejudices and hypocrisy in Afghanistan. All Afghans should work together for the construction, development and prosperity of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
At the gathering, elders and scholars of the Hazara community demanded resolutions regarding their legal cases and other problems and assured the IEA of comprehensive cooperation with the Islamic system, the statement added.
Eight security force members were killed and wounded in an IED explosion in Badakhshan province on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.
The Ministry of Interior said three policemen died and five others were wounded in the explosion.
Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, said: “Unfortunately, at around 11:00 AM today, a sticky mine (magnetic IED) that was already embedded in a motorcycle exploded in the Jawozon area of Faizabad city, Badakhshan province.”
According to Qani the device detonated while a convoy of police was traveling through the area. Police had been carrying out a poppy clearing operation.
Police are investigating the incident, Qani said.
So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Khurasan Faryab defeated Istiqlal Kabul 1-0 in the 35th match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Tuesday, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi thrashed Sarsabz Yashlar 4-1 in the 36th match of the tournament on the same day.
Khurasan’s only goal against Istiqlal Kabul was scored by Farid Ahmad – who was declared man of the match.
In the second match of the day, Sorkh Poshan Khafi’s four goals were scored by Habibullah Hotak and Omid Rajabi.
Khurasan’s Habibullah Hotak received the man of the match award.
Wednesday’s matches will see Abu Muslim Farah FC take on Adalat Farah FC at 1 PM, while Maiwand FC will play Jawanan Wahedi FC at 3:30 PM.
The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Tahawol: Pakistan Army claim refusal discussed
Saar: UN delegation trip to Kabul discussed
Justice in light of Sharia applies equally to everyone: Deputy PM
IED explosion in Badakhshan leaves 8 dead and wounded
Tatarstan businessmen keen to invest in Afghanistan’s oil and gas sector
Indian foreign ministry advises against travel to Iran, Israel
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
Biden says Netanyahu’s approach to war in Gaza is a ‘mistake’
Rashid Khan named AWCC’s brand ambassador
Tahawol: Pakistan Army claim refusal discussed
Saar: UN delegation trip to Kabul discussed
Tahawol: Israeli attack on Rafah city discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s caretaker govt criticizes world for creating challenges
Saar: Afghanistan calls for WHO to hand over its seat
-
Sport4 days agoDu Plessis, Kohli help Bengaluru stay in IPL play-off race
-
Latest News5 days agoTrans-Afghan railway project expected to be completed by end of 2027: Uzbek official
-
World5 days agoHamas, CIA director to hold talks in Cairo on Gaza truce
-
Sport4 days agoSarsabz Yashlar and Sorkh Poshan win Saturday’s ACL matches
-
Latest News4 days agoBan on opium cultivation in Afghanistan cost farmers $1.3 billion
-
Business4 days agoTurkmenistan business delegation visits Herat
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan consul general in Mumbai Zakia Wardak resigns
-
Business3 days agoAfghanistan’s Turkey-bound goods via rail cross Tehran