South Asia

Photo: American soldiers overseeing training of their Afghan counterparts at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Source: The Indian Express.

The West Spins A “Humanitarian” Tale, China Speaks at Human Rights Council of War Crimes in Afghanistan

By Kalinga Seneviratne

SYDNEY (IDN) — To cover up America and its allies humiliating defeat in Afghanistan, the Anglo-American media is spinning tales of a great “humanitarian” airlift to save Afghani women from assumed brutality when Taliban consolidate their power across Afghanistan. But, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on August 24 the Chinese changed the narrative calling for the US, UK, Australia and other NATO countries to be held accountable for violations of human rights committed during the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; UN INSIDER; 28 August 2021

ALCAP’s “Documentaries for Development” at World Forum 4.0

Viewpoint by Niba Mirza*

NEW DELHI (IDN) — Documentaries have always been a potent medium to exchange ideas, information and knowledge. They manifest an inherent tendency of the human beings to document reality of their times and communicate with each other.

Among others, this year’s World Forum 4.0 shall feature “Documentaries for Development,” a unique concept developed by Mr. Manish Uprety F.R.A.S., Special Adviser - Asia and Africa, of the Audiovisual Regional Hub of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Comunicación Audiovisual Parlamentaria, ALCAP, or the Latin American Parliamentary Association of Audio-Visual Communication.

: Asia Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Health & Well Being; 28 August 2021

Photo: Remains of 6, 7, and 1 WTC on September 17. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Lies About How the Attack on Afghanistan Started

Viewpoint by John Scales Avery*

COPENHAGEN (IDN) — The mainstream media, including the BBC, do not tell us the true story of how Afghanistan was invaded by the United States and its allies. Here is a link to an article by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies about the invasion of Afghanistan:

https://truthout.org/articles/will-the-voices-of-those-who-were-always-right-on-afghanistan-still-be-ignored/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=0260a0ca-3224-4181-89de-adf54fb583df

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 28 August 2021

Photo: Indian evacuation in Afghanistan. Source: DNA.

India Has Lost the First-Mover Advantage in Afghanistan

Viewpoint by Shastri Ramachandaran

NEW DELHI (IDN) — In the wake of the US retreat from Afghanistan, as the world’s leading nations engage with the Taliban in Kabul, India appears to have shot itself in the foot and gone into a sulk. When New Delhi does break its sullen silence, it only serves to remind the world of its seething animus against Pakistan.

As the regional superpower with unique civilisational connections and people-to-people ties with Afghanistan, India ought to have been a prominent player at this juncture of historic transition.

: Shastri Ramachandaran; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 27 August 2021

Photo: View from the Herat Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Alexander the Great, in Afghanistan. CC BY 2.0

Would "Reformed" Taliban Respect Other Religions, Cultural Heritage and Non-Believers?

Viewpoint by Sugeeswara Senadhira

COLOMBO (IDN) — The Taliban’s fanatical yearning to attack everything opposed to what they mistakenly believe as Islam was displayed in two acts of destruction in the year 2001. The return of Taliban as rulers of Afghanistan raise question whether the remaining remnants of a Buddhist civilization in the region would be wiped out in coming years.

: Opinion Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 26 August 2021

Photo: US Sponsored Al Qaeda “Freedom Fighters” Were Used to Railroad the Formation of a Secular Socialist Government. Mohammad Najibullah, Former President of Afghanistan, in the centre. Source: Global Research

The Story of US-Led Collusion in Razing Afghanistan to the Ground

Viewpoint by John Pilger

This article was produced by Globetrotter. John Pilger is an award-winning Australian journalist, filmmaker, and author. Read his full biography on his website here, and follow him on Twitter: @JohnPilger. Source: Globetrotter

SYDNEY (IDN) — As a tsunami of crocodile tears engulfs Western politicians, history is suppressed. More than a generation ago, Afghanistan won its freedom, which the United States, Britain and their “allies” destroyed.

: Opinion Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 25 August 2021

Photo: New Zealand Hercules airlifts evacuees from Kabul. Credit: New Zealand Defence Force.

New Zealand Should Have Stayed Out of the War in Afghanistan

Viewpoint by Keith Locke

Former Green MP Keith Locke was the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson. He writes occasional pieces for Asia Pacific Report. This article was first published by The Spinoff, republished in Asia Pacific Report, our partner, on August 19 with the author’s permission.

WELLINGTON (IDN) — After the fall of Kabul, the obvious question for New Zealanders is whether we should ever have joined the American war in Afghanistan. Labour and National politicians, who sent our Special Forces there, will say yes.

The Greens, who opposed the war from the start, will say no.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 24 August 2021

Photo: Members of the disabled community play a game of football in Kayunga District, Uganda. UNICEF/Rebecca Vassie

Paralympics: An Incredible Medium to Create Awareness of the Disabled

Viewpoint by Simone Galimberti

Simone Galimberti is Author and Co-Founder of ENGAGE, a not-for-profit NGO in Nepal. He writes on volunteerism, social inclusion, youth development and regional integration as an engine to improve people’s lives.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (IDN) — Once again the limelight will be back on Tokyo as the city is hosting the Paralympics Games, another carnival of sports with the participation of about 4400 athletes from 160 countries and territories.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 24 August 2021

Photo: The writer, Manish Rai, in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan

Exploring why Afghan Forces Vanished So Fast

Viewpoint by Manish Rai

KABUL (IDN) — The Taliban now control almost the whole of Afghanistan including the capital city, Kabul, almost two decades after they were driven out by US troops. It was widely expected that after the United States’ complete withdrawal the Taliban will make significant territorial gains.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 21 August 2021

Photo: Kabul skyline, displaying both historical and contemporary buildings. CC BY-SA 3.0

The Truth Behind Damned Lies About Afghanistan

Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene

The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria.

ABUJA (IDN) — In journalism proverb, Afghanistan is a convenient shelter, the writer’s fantasy island from topical issues at home. In the current deluge of news from that country, however, that proverb appears to have lost its meaning.

There’s no need for escape to Afghanistan; the traffic is the other way, while Afghanistan’s mythical status is being supplanted by lies, damned lies.