US secretary of state Rex Tillerson made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Monday, hoping to cement Donald Trump’s new strategy and ramp up the political and military pressure in the 16-year-old war, especially on Pakistan where he will head next.
Mr Tillerson's visit comes almost exactly two months after Mr Trump announced plans to increase the US troop presence and put more pressure on Pakistan to rein in the Taliban. He met for about an hour with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and chief executive Abdulah Abdullah at the Bagram air base outside Kabul.
“The secretary stated that the new US strategy for South Asia makes clear the United States’ commitment to working with the government of Afghanistan and with partners across the region to achieve peace in Afghanistan and deny safe havens to terrorists who threaten that goal,” the US embassy said.
US officials have long used the term “safe havens” when accusing Pakistan of harbouring extremist groups responsible for plotting and carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. “We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists we are fighting,” Mr Trump said in August. "But that will have to change, and that will change immediately.”
A key aspect of Mr Tillerson’s trip will be applying pressure on Pakistan, whose political and security leaders he will meet during a visit on Tuesday before heading to India, another major power that the US is seeking to woo for development aid to Afghanistan.
"Mr Tillerson's trip is probably aimed at reinforcing the US commitment to the mission and to the Afghan government," said Stephen Tankel, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington.
In Pakistan, "we can expect Secretary Tillerson to pressure Pakistan to play a more productive role in reconciliation efforts", Mr Tankel told The National.
The visit follows one of Afghanistan’s bloodiest weeks this year in which more than 200 people including security forces and civilians were killed in suicide attacks on mosques and police and military compounds.
The attacks by both the Taliban and ISIL came as the US turned up military pressure in the conflict. “It’s safe to say that the wheels are turning when it comes to increased emphasis on [US] military action," Mr Tankel said.
“The military has more authority to attack the Taliban, air strikes have already increased considerably, another 4,000 US troops are heading to Afghanistan, and more CIA paramilitaries are going to join the fight,” he said.
The US is estimated to have 8,400 troops already in the country.
What remains missing at this stage, Mr Tankel said, is “indication of how the administration intends to deal with Pakistan or what its plan is for achieving a viable political settlement that ends the conflict and protects US interests”.
Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of US forces in Afghanistan, voiced increased pessimism over the course of the war. "Anything that feels like success looks more distant than ever," Mr McChrystal wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine this month.
“No US military campaign in Afghanistan can succeed if the enemy enjoys a safe haven in Pakistan,” the former US general warned.
Mr Tankel said the United States faced the dilemma of trying “to convince the Taliban it is committed to an open-ended military campaign, while simultaneously trying to reassure regional countries like Russia and Iran that it does not seek a permanent military presence”.
The US defence secretary James Mattis criticised Russia and Iran for their support for the Taliban during a visit to Afghanistan last month. “Those two countries have suffered losses to terrorism, so I think it would be extremely unwise if they think they can somehow support terrorism in another country and not have it come back to haunt them,” Mr Mattis said.
Mr Tankel said there was also “a risk that Russia or Iran uses Afghanistan as a place to impose costs on the United States for actions taken in other parts of the world”.
However, the immediate challenge for the US administration remains "putting so much emphasis on military action without an equivalent diplomatic push", according to Mr Tankel.
In comments to reporters on his flight back to Doha from Afghanistan, Mr Tillerson suggested that the door to a political settlement was still open to the Taliban.
“There’s a place for them in the government if they are ready to come, renouncing terrorism, renouncing violence and being committed to a stable prosperous Afghanistan,” he said.
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Read more:
Another Taliban attack hits Afghanistan as country reels from mounting bloodshed
Go home, Tillerson tells Iran-backed militias and Iranian advisers in Iraq
Family held by Afghan Taliban were kept in Pakistan, CIA chief says
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Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
RESULTS
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The%20specs%3A%20Panamera%20Turbo%20E-Hybrid
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)