The US plans to withdraw from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. EPA
The US plans to withdraw from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. EPA
The US plans to withdraw from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. EPA
The US plans to withdraw from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. EPA

The US will leave Afghanistan - it owes Afghans a hefty exit fee


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Speaking to The National at her child's grave in Kabul, 38-year-old Wahida Shirzad lamented that "no matter what happens in Afghanistan – whether there is war or peace – no one will be able to bring back my son". Mohammad Rahid Amin was one of 22 students killed when terrorists stormed Kabul University in November 2020.

The attack typifies the danger and heartache that Afghans have lived with for decades. Despite a 20-year US-led war, the Taliban, the main killers of innocent Afghans, seem to be winning. American talks with the group over the past year gave the terrorists far more than they granted in return. Throughout, the concerns of Afghanistan's government were largely marginalised.

Now, the very future of the administration in Kabul is in doubt, after US President Joe Biden announced that he is withdrawing all 2,500 American troops from the country by September 11, 2021 without conditions. Soldiers from other Nato countries are expected to leave along with them. Mr Biden's chosen date is the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Shortly after Al Qaeda's attack, the US toppled a Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which was hosting the terror group.

Other Nato powers are set to join the US in its departure from the country. EPA
Other Nato powers are set to join the US in its departure from the country. EPA
Ending military support does not stop Mr Biden's duty of care towards Afghanistan

The decision will end the longest war in US history. But it will not necessarily finish Afghanistan's war, which is increasingly becoming one of civil strife. Its conclusion will not see an end to the group's resurgence in areas the Afghan National Army and its international allies worked to liberate. Nor will it safeguard the many Afghans who justifiably fear a Taliban takeover.

Winding down military support does not stop Mr Biden's duty of care towards Afghanistan. After two decades of deep involvement in the country's security, government and development, there is no such thing as a responsible clean break.

America is leaving with a mixed legacy and mixed feelings from Afghans.

It is possible that Washington will not abide by the September timetable. An initial May deadline for withdrawal that was set by former president Donald Trump was swiftly overturned by Mr Biden when he entered office, and this was not the first time the US rescinded  strategic decisions in Afghanistan. But no one can bank on a second U-turn. An increasing number of American citizens and politicians are pushing for an end to "forever wars". For them, Afghanistan is the definition of one.

In the face of this, the government in Kabul must quickly form a united front against the Taliban and other militia groups that threaten Afghanistan. But it will still need the US to fulfil its own responsibilities. If American troops go, they must be replaced with a generous supply of military aid. Without it, the country will be overrun.

The West has occasionally been rocked by terrorist attacks in recent years, some from groups that operate in Afghanistan. For Afghans, the tragedy is not occasional. In the first three months of 2021, their country saw almost 600 civilians killed.

Afghanistan remains vulnerable. But so will the West, if along with its soldiers, it also withdraws its sense of responsibility.

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
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Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

2) Smishing

The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

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Scoreline

Switzerland 5

RESULTS

Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)

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MATCH INFO

Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE

Match is on BeIN Sports

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

England v South Africa schedule:

  • First Test: At Lord's, England won by 219 runs
  • Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
  • Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
  • Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

Brief scores:

Scotland 371-5, 50 overs (C MacLeod 140 no, K Coetzer 58, G Munsey 55)

England 365 all out, 48.5 overs (J Bairstow 105, A Hales 52; M Watt 3-55)

Result: Scotland won by six runs

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
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Jetour T1 specs

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UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')

Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')

RACE SCHEDULE

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm

Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm

Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm