Category: South East Asia

Afghan Taliban Chief Negotiator: ‘US on Verge of Defeat’

The Taliban’s chief negotiator says in newly released remarks that the United States is on the verge of defeat and will quit Afghanistan soon “either of their own accord, or they will be forced out.”

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Al Qaeda video emphasizes unity with Taliban’s Islamic emirate

Al Qaeda’s As Sahab media has released a new video advertising the group’s role in an ambush on an Afghan National Army (ANA) convoy in Paktika province. The purpose of the video isn’t just to highlight this lone operation, however. Al Qaeda uses the footage to emphasize its alliance with the Taliban.

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Why India and Pakistan Keep Clashing

Two of the world’s most acrimonious neighbors also happen to be among the few countries on the planet to have nuclear weapons. Long-running tension between India and Pakistan centers on the border region of Kashmir, an area in the Himalayas claimed in full — and ruled in part — by both. Violence flares often, as it did early in 2019 […]

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Afghan Officials: Airstrikes Kill up to 50 IS Militants

Authorities in Afghanistan said Saturday coalition airstrikes in an eastern province have killed up to 50 Islamic State militants, while Taliban insurgents have killed at least seven government forces in a western district.

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Taliban says gap closing in talks with US for troop withdrawal

Peace talks between the Taliban and a U.S. peace envoy over a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan are narrowing a gap between the two sides, a spokesman for the insurgent group said Saturday.

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Kashmiri Militants Attack Polls After Call for India Election Boycott

Violence disrupted the Indian election in the disputed Kashmir region on Monday, as separatist militants attacked two polling stations and the police responded with what residents called excessive force.

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Khalilzad flip flops on Pakistan, Taliban’s relationship with al Qaeda

While testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) in July 2016, Zalmay Khalilzad said that Pakistan should be designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism because it is an ardent supporter of the Taliban. He described the Taliban as an “extremist organization” with enduring ties to al Qaeda.

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India calls for Pakistan’s blacklisting by terror finance watchdog

India will ask the global money laundering and terror finance watchdog to put Pakistan on a blacklist of countries that fail to meet international standards in stopping financial crime, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday.

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Pakistan Set to Buy Russian Surface-to-Air Missiles to Boost Defence – Report

The urgency to purchase new air defence systems arose after the Indian airstrike in Balakot during which over a dozen Mirage 2000 aircraft of Indian Air Force crossed the border and destroyed alleged terror infrastructure inside Pakistan, the media outlet reports.

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Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga urges both govt., Taliban to announce ceasefire

Attendees at Afghanistan’s most important national gathering have urged ceasefire between the government and the Taliban militant group as a foretaste to a potential peace deal.

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