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The Daily Brief: Taliban Raise Victory Flag in Final Resistance Stronghold

Taliban Raise Victory Flag in Final Resistance Stronghold

Published

1 year ago

on

Northern Kandahar district leaders connect with remote villagers DVIDS390039

Summary:

  • The Taliban claim to have “completely conquered” Panjshir province, the last remaining stronghold of resistance in Afghanistan and the final province to evade Taliban rule.
  • The National Resistance Front in Afghanistan (NRF) is an anti-Taliban resistance group based in Panjshir Valley which has successfully kept the Taliban from assuming control in the valley for years. 
  • The NRF’s head of foreign relations, Ali Maisam Nazary, supported Massoud’s claim by announcing on Facebook that “NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight.”
  • NRF leader Ahmad Massoud also denies the Taliban’s claims to victory stating on Twitter that “We [the NRF] are in Panjshir and our Resistance will continue,” 
  • Massoud has also used social media to appeal to Afghans within the country and around the world to join “a general uprising for the sake of honor, freedom and pride of our country.”
  • Panjshir Valley is famous for repelling Soviet advances at least 9 times in the 1980’s and eluding Taliban control the last time the militant group ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. At that time resistance forces were commanded by current NRF leader Ahmad Massoud’s late father, Ahmad Shah Massoud.
  • Due to Panjshir’s success in evading rule by the Taliban in the late 90’s, the valley was able to serve as a launching pad for US invasion after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York.
  • Although the NRF has not denied losing the center of Panjshir to militants, the group has assured the citizens of Afghanistan that “most of Bazarak district and all the side valleys are controlled by the NRF” adding that “the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue until justice and freedom prevails.”
  • Sources:

CNN

NYT

Reuters

  • Tweets:

6 Palestinian Prisoners Escape From Israeli High Security Prison

  • 6 Palestinian prisoners have escaped from Gilboa prison, one of Israel’s most secure facilities, overnight though a cavity below the flooring of the building.
  • The escapees include 5 Islamic Jihad members and Zakaria Zubeidi, former commander of the militant group Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade.
  • Israel has described the escape as “a major security and intelligence failure” and has launched a manhunt in search of the fugitives.
  • Palestinian militant groups have applauded the escape, hailing it to be a heroic act. 4 of the Islamic Jihad members had been serving life sentences for planning or carrying out attacks that killed Israelis. The fifth Islamic Jihad member had been held without charge for 2 years on account of an administrative detention order. Zubeidi was arrested in 2019 and was standing trial on suspicion of involvement in attacks against Israelis.
  • Sources:

BBC

NYT

  • Tweets:

Prominent Opposition Leader, Maria Kolenikova, Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

  • Staunch opponent of President Lukashenko’s 27-year rule, Maria Kolenikove, along with two other women were the power behind Belarus’ mass protests.
  • Protesters believe Lukashenko’s long rule is due to a fraudulent election which does not represent the voice of the country.
  • The president denies all claims of voter fraud and has charged activists Kolenikova and Maxim Knax with extremism and attempt to “seize state power in an unconstitutional way.”
  • Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a Belarusian opposition leader, stated “The regime wants us to see them crushed & exhausted. But look – they are smiling & dancing. They know – we will release them much earlier than these 11 years. Their terms shouldn’t frighten us — Maksim and Maria wouldn’t want this.”
  • Sources:

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/09/06/europe/belarus-opposition-members-jailed-intl/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-protest-leader-kolesnikova-sentenced-11-years-jail-2021-09-06/

  • Tweets:

Guinea’s Coup to Establish New “Union” Government 

  • Col Mamady Doumbouya, leader of the recent coup in Guinea, stated a new union government is set to be formed in the upcoming weeks, however prior officials will not have to face a ‘witch-hunt.’
  • The coup, which claims they seized power to end rampant corruption, human rights abuses and mismanagement, has been condemned by the UN, African Union, and regional body Ecowas.
  • Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, a founding member of the opposition FNDC (National Front for the Defence of the Constitution), stated “We don’t want to be happy with a coup, but in certain circumstances like [the ones] in Guinea now, we will say we are really happy with what is happening because without that, the country will be stuck in [the] endless power of one person who wants to stay in power forever.”
  • Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58461436.amp

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/uneasy-calm-guinea-after-president-condes-apparent-ouster-2021-09-06/

  • Tweets:

Pro-Bolsonaro Rallies Reach the Thousands as Fear of Diminishing Brazilian Democracy Overtakes Critics

  • President Jair Bolsonaro has recently seen a steep dive to his approval ratings due to corruption allegations and poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • However, the deep south and agricultural heartlands of Brazil and many evangelical Christians continue to show an abundance of support to the far-right president.
  • Brasília and São Paulo are expected to be packed with rallies this independence day as Bolsonaro addresses supporters.
  • Observers state this is “an increasingly weak politician’s attempt to project strength.”
  • Sources:

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/thousands-gather-pro-bolsonaro-rallies-critics-fear-for-democracy

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2021/9/6/brazils-bolsonaro-seeks-big-turnout-on-national-day

  • Tweets:

Brexit Grace Period Extended Once Again 

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Chatham House, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
  • Diplomatic wrangling has led to the extension of the Brexit trading grace period twice.
  • The grace period is intended to ease tensions as the new trading agreements are implemented.
  • David Frost, who is leading negotiations with the EU, stated that in order “to provide space for potential further discussions, and to give certainty and stability to businesses while any such discussions proceed, the government will continue to operate the protocol on the current basis…This includes the grace periods and easements currently in force … We will ensure that reasonable notice is provided in the event that these arrangements were to change, to enable businesses and citizens to prepare.”
  • Sources:

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/06/uk-and-eu-extend-post-brexit-grace-period-over-northern-ireland-protocol

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-06/u-k-set-to-extend-brexit-grace-period-on-n-ireland-meat-checks

  • Tweets:

G7 Urges Change in Constitutional Order for Tunisian Government 

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Nawaat (Tunisia), CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
  • The G7 statement claims that the appointment of a prime minister would allow the values of democracy to remain within the Tunisian government. 
  • Western Democracies have provided Tunisia with public finances and since the 2011 revolution, democracy has been introduced to the government. 
  • President Kais Saeid indirectly stated to the G7 that the sovereignty of Tunisia belongs to people.
  • Saeid, who became president in 2019, decided on July 25th that the parliament would be frozen, which would lift immunity as well as dismiss the prime minister.  
  • Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/g7-nations-urge-return-constitutional-order-tunisia-2021-09-06/

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-09-06/g7-nations-urge-return-to-constitutional-order-in-tunisia

  • Tweets: 

Syrian Oil Spill Threatens Marine Life

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  • An oil spill which occurred in Syria is projected to reach Cypress by Wednesday.
  • 1500 tons of oil had been leaking from Syria’s coastal season of Baniyas since August 23rd.
  • Fishing and marine life could be disturbed if the oil reaches the coast because baby turtles hatch from certain parts of the coastal region.
  • Sources:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-oil-leak-threatens-marine-life-on-turkish-coasts-167651

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/31/middleeast/syria-cyprus-oil-spill-intl/index.html

  • Twitter:

US Open 2021 

​

US Open 2009 377
Edwin Martinez, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
  • Carlos Alcaraz of Spain became the youngest tennis player to reach the US open finals at the age of 18.
  • Alcaraz will be facing 21 year old Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals.
  • American tennis player Sloane Stephens received messages of hate on social media following a loss in her match.
  • Stephens responded on Instagram stories with the message, “I am human, after last night’s match I got 2K + messages of abuse/anger from people upset by yesterday’s result. It’s so hard to read messages like these, but I’ll post a few so you guys can see what it’s like after a loss…”
  • Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/06/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-youngest-player-us-open-quarterfinals-spt-int/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/tennis/sloane-stephens-us-open-abuse-spt-intl/index.html

  • Tweets: 

What Does Texas’s New Abortion Law Mean for Other States?

  • After Supreme Court ruling a new law has gone into effect in Texas which bans abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy. 
  • The law allows citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone helping a woman obtain abortion.
  • There are no exceptions for rape or incest in the law.
  • Gov Greg Abbot signed the law while claiming, “Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion.” 
  • Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/05/18/texas-heartbeat-bill-abortions-law/

  • Tweets :

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

Salman Rushdie Severely Stabbed due to his Publication of the Book “The Satanic Verses”

Published

3 months ago

on

14 August 2022

By

Salman Rushdie 2014
  • Salman Rushdie, an author, was severely stabbed in his neck and abdomen on stage by a suspect named Hadi Matar, causing him to be on a ventilator and potentially losing an eye.
  • An Iranian leader back in the 20th century wanted Rushdie killed because of his novel, Satanic Verses, that many Muslims found disrespectful. This led Salman to go into hiding for almost a decade.
  • Translators from different countries reading this book were harshly stabbed to death when the book came out and Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khomeini called for Salman’s execution for three million dollars.
  • The Iranian government has not yet responded to this issue, but many Iranians in the media claim him to be an apostate who later became an atheist.

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

China Threatens Consequences if Pelosi Visits Taiwan

Published

4 months ago

on

2 August 2022

By

800px Nancy Pelosi 47998984512
  • US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has landed inTaiwan. Prior to the visit, China’s Foreign Ministry has voiced their disapproval, stating that “China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized in response  that “The speaker will make her own decisions about whether or not to visit Taiwan,” and that the US is looking to Beijing to “act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward.”
  • The US has made it clear that members of Congress routinely visit Taiwan and that this trip is non-threatening and has precedent. Even so, some officials have expressed concern that China may invade Taiwan’s air defense zone or send missiles near Taiwan in retaliation.
  • Pelosi has criticized China’s leadership and vocalized support for Taiwan in the past. She is currently on her tour of Asia, with scheduled visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

First Grain Ship Departs Ukraine After Six Months of Russian Blockade

Published

4 months ago

on

2 August 2022

By

Odesa pristav
  • The first shipment of grain departed the port of Odesa on Monday after Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports for the last six months trapped around 20 million metric tons of wheat and corn.
  • Russia recently made a deal with Ukraine, brokered by the UN and Turkey, allowing grain exports to resume, appeasing fears of a global food supply crisis and rising prices.
  • Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba celebrated the shipment, calling it a “day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.”
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was more hesitant to celebrate the shipment, stating “it is too early to draw any conclusions and make any forecasts” and he wants to “see how the agreement works and whether security will be really guaranteed.”

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

Concerns Rise As US Teeters on the Brink of Recession

Published

4 months ago

on

1 August 2022

By

US Stock Market Investing in the United States
  • The US economy declines for the second quarter in a row, causing, what other countries would consider, an economic recession. 
  • The prices for groceries, gas, and other basics are rising at the fastest pace since 1981. The US Central Bank is quickly trying to raise borrowing costs in order to cool the economy and ease the prices on goods, but with the contraction, at the annual rate of 0.9% in the 3 months to July, many are still getting concerned. 
  • President Biden struggles to convince the public that the economy is sound, with the unemployment rate at a low 3.6%. But with inflation in the US hitting 9.1% in June, the fastest price appreciation in 4 months, consumer spending has slowed at an annual rate of 1%. 
  • Many other countries, such as China and the UK, have been hit harder by the surge in energy prices and the War in Ukraine, causing risks from abroad. Other countries are facing much more serious problems and once they’re hit, their problems can spill over and affect the US. 

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

North Korea Could Possibly Be Preparing another Nuclear Test

Published

4 months ago

on

1 August 2022

By

North Koreas ballistic missile North Korea Victory Day 2013 01
  • North Korea could be preparing a seventh nuclear test, especially after Mr. Kim announced that the country is fully ready for any military confrontation with the US at a Korean War Anniversary event. 
  • A US special representative in North Korea states that Jong-Un has tested an unprecedented number of missiles this year—31 to 25. Jong-Un also stated that threats from the US required North Korea to achieve the urgent historical task of strengthening its self-defense. 
  • Jong-un also stated that South Korea is reviving a plan to counter North Korea’s threat by mounting precautionary strikes; in June alone, South Korea launched 8 missiles of its own.
  • The North Korean regime is especially angry with South Korea’s new president Yoon Suk-yeol and his so-called Kill Chain strategy. This strategy allows South Korea to launch ballistic missiles and air strikes on North Korean targets if it ever feels threatened. 
  • North Korea has also not been getting as much engagement with Washington ever since Biden replaced Trump, and could be hinting at some sort of deliberate escalation by the North, and preparations have been underway at the Punggye Ri test site since March.

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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Daily Brief

Russia Limits Gas Supply to Germany

Published

4 months ago

on

28 July 2022

By

Black Sea port of Theodosiya panoramio
  • Gazprom, a major Russian energy provider, has stated it will reduce the supply of gas to Germany by half via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline due to repair work. 
  • Germany has said that they see no technical reason for the decrease in gas supply. The European Union continues to accuse Russia of weaponizing energy, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating, “This is an open gas war that Russia is waging against a united Europe.”
  • Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement to allow the export of grain via the Black Sea after Russia continued to block millions of tonnes from being exported. The next day, Russia struck missiles at the port, some of which hit the infrastructure of the port.
  • The US and Ukraine are optimistic that the agreement will still be implemented, with the US State Department stating, “Despite these attacks, we do understand that the parties are continuing preparations to open Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for food and fertilizer exports…we also continue to expect that the Black Sea agreement will be implemented.”

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

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