Latest news with #ex-Afghan
Russia Today
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Trump Jr. demands answers from Ukraine over alleged assassination plot
Donald Trump Jr. has criticized Kiev for failing to alert the US authorities about a man who reportedly tried to obtain military weapons from Ukrainian contacts to assassinate his father during the 2024 presidential campaign. In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Trump Jr. responded to recent revelations about Ryan Wesley Routh, a pro-Ukraine activist currently facing federal charges after being arrested near Donald Trump's golf resort in Florida with a rifle in September. According to newly surfaced court documents obtained by Fox News, Routh had allegedly sought to acquire heavy weaponry from someone he believed had access to Ukraine's military arsenal in order to kill the then-presidential candidate. ' If you think it's bad that Ukraine never said thank you for everything the United States has done for them,' Trump Jr. wrote on X, 'the fact that they seemingly did not tell us that this sociopath literally tried to buy arms from them to assassinate my father seems like a much bigger deal. Wonder why?!?' READ MORE: Would-be Trump assassin sought rocket launcher from Ukraine Routh, a convicted felon, had attempted to enlist in the Ukrainian military in 2022. Though unsuccessful, he remained engaged in the conflict in the region, reportedly working to recruit ex-Afghan soldiers to fight on Ukraine's behalf, according to a Justice Department filing with the Florida Southern District Court. In August 2024, prosecutors say Routh used an encrypted messaging app to reach out to an individual he believed to be a Ukrainian weapons supplier. He allegedly requested a Russian RPG grenade launcher and a US-made Stinger missile, stating explicitly why he needed the weapons. 'I need the equipment so that Trump don't [sic] get elected,' one message read. Routh also insisted that obtaining such arms wouldn't be difficult due to the chaos of war, adding that 'one missing would not be noticed.' The court filing also reportedly notes that Routh never received the weapons he sought. He was arrested shortly afterward near Mar-a-Lago and remains in custody. His trial is scheduled for September, and he faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghanologists — the poverty of analysis
The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam Listen to article When someone is introduced as an 'Afghanistan Expert', I tend to take exception, because I reckon nobody can be an 'expert' on Afghanistan. I prefer using 'Afghanologist' instead. We have a galaxy of Afghanologists on a social media group, vibrant, wise and opinionated, with ideas. However, discussion is generally under perpetual 'lament', as I characterise their incessant blame game and criticism of Pakistan's Afghan policy. So, frustrated, last week I threw a challenge. Given the TTP demands of reversal of FATA merger, enforcement of Sharia (their version) across Pakistan, release of TTP prisoners, return of TTP rank and file armed and in groups to their areas and payment of reparation by the State of Pakistan, what should be the way forward by Pakistan. As usual after an uncomfortable silence and some meek prose, that was in fact an extension of the lament, one did not have a roadmap that one could suggest and recommend. And that lays bare the difficulty of constructivism in the face of perpetual lament and complaining. One particular Afghanologist who runs a think tank suggested to the State to 'forget and forgive' and move forward, after much debate on what he said and meant. When the perils of such approach and its implications in encouraging terrorism for future were highlighted, there was no cogent and coherent response. That is the danger of criticism that comes in droves and is almost fashionable these days when Afghanologists discuss Pakistan's Afghan policy. They never tire of pointing out its shortcomings and failures. One finds it hard to swim against the tide as criticism by far is the easiest thing to do. In one such think tank interaction, when I asked an ex-Afghan ambassador to Pakistan how Afghanistan would have dealt with the situation if the roles were reversed between both countries in early 2000s. Taken aback by the suddenness of the question, his answer was mere good English prose with no substance. When you nail this cohort to forward actionable and doable recommendations, there is generally a clueless silence with 'some' restating and regurgitating the known knowns. Not schooled enough in the art of 'operational analysis' most Afghanologists give in to the 'lament of the moment', mood of the day or influenced by everyday mundane events. In one case, when pressed, the individual came up with 'breaking news' about some meeting (like many) to substantiate his point, without benefitting from the constants and variables of Pak-Afghan bilateralism. Even a venerable Afghanologist from the Afghan side could offer no cogent and actionable recommendations for Pakistan to deal with the TTP, other than emotive rationale and highlighting the importance of good relations between the brotherly Muslim neighbours. A good analysis is based on known and reported 'facts' that lead to good 'inferences, conclusions and deductions'. This process results in 'recommendations', offering multiple courses of action (CsOA). The analyst recommends a particular COA, citing the merits of the recommended COA using hard and cold logic without being swayed by emotions. His choice springs from the weightage of factors discussed and not their numbers and listing. And Governments and Militaries thereafter make 'plans' based upon the recommended COA, thus completing the 'operational cycle'. One very much doubts adherence to this structured process in our analyses, most of which, most of the time, are based upon ordinary variables like mood swings etc. Academia teaches the rigours of analysis, and except for some, most Afghanologists learn while on the job. Extending the argument, the Afghan side most of the time gives in to emotional outburst when in discussions. I was invited to an Afghan radio talk show. I as a matter of routine avoid such interaction as most participants start from 'times immemorial' rather than constructive engagement, are mostly negative and impolite, use your credentials to bolster their ratings, and love a heated argument. One participant from an American university started rattling out facts of Pakistani State's excesses against Afghanistan. When the diatribe went too long, unchecked by the moderator, he was reminded that the purpose of one's participation was to find common ground in bilateralism, and discuss constructive engagement now, or in the mid to long-term, and not to perpetually repeat the negativity and live in hostility. And that Pakistan also has its long list of grievances that would take the whole show time. My cross-references and questioning of Afghanologists, who are always critical of Pakistan's Afghan policy, result in meek responses or emotional rants instead of rationale discussions. From an Afghan apologist to a critical bystander, one has experienced personal transformation driven by hard data and actions of the IEA. Afghan analysts are generally on the backfoot when reminded of the good deeds and ehsanat of Pakistan and its 'Punjabi Miltablishment' as they deridely call us. In dealing with the TTP issue, by far the largest and most damning variable of Pak-Afghan relations, when confronted with hard facts about Kabul's obligations and imperatives under the injunctions of Islam and Islamic fraternity, Pukhtu lar (way of doing things under Pukhtunwali), and the demands of good neighborliness, the cohort is silent or steers the discussion towards non-issues. Did not Pakistan offer unconditional refuge to millions of uprooted Afghan brethren under Islamic fraternity, neighbourly demands and Pukhtunwali despite not being signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, and its 1967 Protocol? Did Pakistan not offer them subsidised food, education, healthcare and employment in the most dignified manner, often at the cost of its own citizenry and under resource constraints? Did Pakistan not postpone their repatriation under sympathy for their unfortunate circumstances despite dwindling international commitments? Did the Punjabi Miltablishment not help IEA win over their country twice - first against the USSR and then against the US/NATO Combine, often plying a perilous double game? Did Pakistan not act as Kabul's only interlocutor, insisting on engagement and accepting the IEA reality? If yes, then does Pakistan deserve the continued hostility of IEA and TTP, the sworn enemy of Pakistan, its State, Security Forces and people? Any justification by the IEA under religion, Pukhtunwali and gawandgeree (neighborliness) would be welcome — but alas there is none!
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump refugee embargo dashes Afghan migrants' hope
ISLAMABAD: After working for years alongside the United States to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan, Zahra says she was just days from being evacuated to America when President Donald Trump suspended refugee admissions. She sold her belongings as she awaited a flight out of Pakistan, where she has been embroiled in a three-year process applying for a refugee scheme Trump froze in one of his first acts back in office. "We stood with them for the past 20 years, all I want is for them to stand up for the promise they made," the 27-year-old former Afghanistan defence ministry worker told AFP from Islamabad. "The only wish we have is to be safe and live where we can have peace and an ordinary human life," she said, sobbing down the phone and speaking under a pseudonym to protect her identity. The 2021 withdrawal of US-led troops from Kabul ended two decades of war but began a new exodus, as Afghans clamoured to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington. Trump's executive order to pause admissions for at least 90 days starting from January 27 has blocked around 10,000 Afghans approved for entry from starting new lives in the United States, according to non-profit #AfghanEvac. Tens of thousands more applications in process have also been frozen, the US-based organisation said. "All sorts of people that stood up for the idea of America, now they're in danger," #AfghanEvac chief Shawn VanDiver told AFP. "We owe it to them to get them out." Trump's order said "the United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees", and stopped the relocation scheme until it "aligns with the interests of the United States". But campaigners argue the country owes a debt to Afghans left in the lurch by their withdrawal -- which Trump committed to in his first term but was overseen by his successor president Joe Biden. A special visa programme for Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the United States remains active. But the more wide-reaching refugee scheme was relied on by applicants including ex-Afghan soldiers and employees of the US-backed government, as well as their family members. With America's Kabul embassy shut, many travelled to neighbouring Pakistan to enter paperwork, conduct interviews and undergo vetting. "I had a lot of hopes for my sisters, that they should graduate from school and pursue education," said one of five daughters of an ex-government employee's family seeking resettlement from Pakistan. "All my hopes are shattered," said the 23-year-old. "I have nightmares and when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I can't fall asleep again. I'm very anxious." The Taliban government has announced an amnesty and encouraged those who fled to return to rebuild the country, presenting it as a haven of Islamic values. Last summer, Pakistan's foreign ministry complained as many as 25,000 Afghans were in the country awaiting relocation to the United States. Islamabad announced a sweeping campaign in 2023 to evict undocumented Afghans , ordering them to leave or face arrest as relations soured with the Taliban government. At least 800,000 Afghans have left since October 2023, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. A foreign ministry spokesman told reporters this week Trump's administration had not yet communicated any new refugee policy to Pakistan. Islamabad is following "the same old plan" where Washington has committed to taking in refugees this year, Shafqat Ali Khan said. Afghans awaiting new lives abroad feel caught between a cancelled future and the haunting prospect of returning to their homeland. AFP
Arab News
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Trump refugee embargo cancels hope for Afghan migrants in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: After working for years alongside the United States to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan, Zahra says she was just days from being evacuated to America when President Donald Trump suspended refugee admissions. She sold her belongings as she awaited a flight out of Pakistan, where she has been embroiled in a three-year process applying for a refugee scheme Trump froze in one of his first acts back in office. 'We stood with them for the past 20 years, all I want is for them to stand up for the promise they made,' the 27-year-old former Afghanistan defense ministry worker told AFP from Islamabad. 'The only wish we have is to be safe and live where we can have peace and an ordinary human life,' she said, sobbing down the phone and speaking under a pseudonym to protect her identity. The 2021 withdrawal of US-led troops from Kabul ended two decades of war but began a new exodus, as Afghans clamoured to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington. Trump's executive order to pause admissions for at least 90 days starting from January 27 has blocked around 10,000 Afghans approved for entry from starting new lives in the United States, according to non-profit #AfghanEvac. Tens of thousands more applications in process have also been frozen, the US-based organization said. 'All sorts of people that stood up for the idea of America, now they're in danger,' #AfghanEvac chief Shawn VanDiver told AFP. 'We owe it to them to get them out.' Trump's order said 'the United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees,' and stopped the relocation scheme until it 'aligns with the interests of the United States.' But campaigners argue the country owes a debt to Afghans left in the lurch by their withdrawal — which Trump committed to in his first term but was overseen by his successor president Joe Biden. A special visa program for Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the United States remains active. But the more wide-reaching refugee scheme was relied on by applicants including ex-Afghan soldiers and employees of the US-backed government, as well as their family members. With America's Kabul embassy shut, many traveled to neighboring Pakistan to enter paperwork, conduct interviews and undergo vetting. Female applicants are fleeing the country where the Taliban government has banned them from secondary school and university, squeezed them from public life and ordered them to wear all-covering clothes. 'I had a lot of hopes for my sisters, that they should graduate from school and pursue education,' said one of five daughters of an ex-government employee's family seeking resettlement from Pakistan. 'All my hopes are shattered,' said the 23-year-old. 'I have nightmares and when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I can't fall asleep again. I'm very anxious.' The European Court of Justice ruled last year that Afghan women have the right to be recognized as refugees in the EU because Taliban government curbs on women 'constitute acts of persecution.' This week, the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor said he was seeking arrest warrants for Taliban government leaders because there are grounds to suspect they 'bear criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.' Moniza Kakar, a lawyer who works with Afghan refugees in Pakistan, said some women told her they 'prefer suicide than going back to Afghanistan.' The Taliban government has announced an amnesty and encouraged those who fled to return to rebuild the country, presenting it as a haven of Islamic values. But a 2023 report by UN rights experts said 'the amnesty for former government and military officials is being violated' and there were 'consistent credible reports of summary executions and acts tantamount to enforced disappearances.' Last summer, Pakistan's foreign ministry complained as many as 25,000 Afghans were in the country awaiting relocation to the United States. Islamabad announced a sweeping campaign in 2023 to evict undocumented Afghans , ordering them to leave or face arrest as relations soured with the Taliban government. At least 800,000 Afghans have left since October 2023, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. But Afghans awaiting refugee relocation have also reported widespread harassment to leave by authorities in Pakistan. A foreign ministry spokesman told reporters this week Trump's administration had not yet communicated any new refugee policy to Pakistan. Islamabad is following 'the same old plan' where Washington has committed to taking in refugees this year, Shafqat Ali Khan said. Afghans awaiting new lives abroad feel caught between a canceled future and the haunting prospect of returning to their homeland. 'I don't have the option of returning to Afghanistan, and my situation here is dire,' said 52-year-old former Afghan journalist Zahir Bahand. 'There is no life left for me, no peace, no future, no visa, no home, no work: nothing is left for me.'
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump refugee embargo cancels hope for Afghan migrants
After working for years alongside the United States to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan, Zahra says she was just days from being evacuated to America when President Donald Trump suspended refugee admissions. She sold her belongings as she awaited a flight out of Pakistan, where she has been embroiled in a three-year process applying for a refugee scheme Trump froze in one of his first acts back in office. "We stood with them for the past 20 years, all I want is for them to stand up for the promise they made," the 27-year-old former Afghanistan defence ministry worker told AFP from Islamabad. "The only wish we have is to be safe and live where we can have peace and an ordinary human life," she said, sobbing down the phone and speaking under a pseudonym to protect her identity. The 2021 withdrawal of US-led troops from Kabul ended two decades of war but began a new exodus, as Afghans clamoured to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington. Trump's executive order to pause admissions for at least 90 days starting from January 27 has blocked around 10,000 Afghans approved for entry from starting new lives in the United States, according to non-profit #AfghanEvac. Tens of thousands more applications in process have also been frozen, the US-based organisation said. "All sorts of people that stood up for the idea of America, now they're in danger," #AfghanEvac chief Shawn VanDiver told AFP. "We owe it to them to get them out." - 'Hopes are shattered' - Trump's order said "the United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees", and stopped the relocation scheme until it "aligns with the interests of the United States". But campaigners argue the country owes a debt to Afghans left in the lurch by their withdrawal -- which Trump committed to in his first term but was overseen by his successor president Joe Biden. A special visa programme for Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the United States remains active. But the more wide-reaching refugee scheme was relied on by applicants including ex-Afghan soldiers and employees of the US-backed government, as well as their family members. With America's Kabul embassy shut, many travelled to neighbouring Pakistan to enter paperwork, conduct interviews and undergo vetting. Female applicants are fleeing the country where the Taliban government has banned them from secondary school and university, squeezed them from public life and ordered them to wear all-covering clothes. "I had a lot of hopes for my sisters, that they should graduate from school and pursue education," said one of five daughters of an ex-government employee's family seeking resettlement from Pakistan. "All my hopes are shattered," said the 23-year-old. "I have nightmares and when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I can't fall asleep again. I'm very anxious." The European Court of Justice ruled last year that Afghan women have the right to be recognised as refugees in the EU because Taliban government curbs on women "constitute acts of persecution". This week, the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor said he was seeking arrest warrants for Taliban government leaders because there are grounds to suspect they "bear criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds". Moniza Kakar, a lawyer who works with Afghan refugees in Pakistan, said some women told her they "prefer suicide than going back to Afghanistan". The Taliban government has announced an amnesty and encouraged those who fled to return to rebuild the country, presenting it as a haven of Islamic values. But a 2023 report by UN rights experts said "the amnesty for former government and military officials is being violated" and there were "consistent credible reports of summary executions and acts tantamount to enforced disappearances". - 'No life left for me' - Last summer, Pakistan's foreign ministry complained as many as 25,000 Afghans were in the country awaiting relocation to the United States. Islamabad announced a sweeping campaign in 2023 to evict undocumented Afghans , ordering them to leave or face arrest as relations soured with the Taliban government. At least 800,000 Afghans have left since October 2023, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. But Afghans awaiting refugee relocation have also reported widespread harassment to leave by authorities in Pakistan. A foreign ministry spokesman told reporters this week Trump's administration had not yet communicated any new refugee policy to Pakistan. Islamabad is following "the same old plan" where Washington has committed to taking in refugees this year, Shafqat Ali Khan said. Afghans awaiting new lives abroad feel caught between a cancelled future and the haunting prospect of returning to their homeland. "I don't have the option of returning to Afghanistan, and my situation here is dire," said 52-year-old former Afghan journalist Zahir Bahand. "There is no life left for me, no peace, no future, no visa, no home, no work: nothing is left for me." qb-jts/sw/dhw
