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

Taliban Raise Victory Flag in Final Resistance Stronghold

Published

10 months 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 

M1hJBTpAePeT6NvuYteWOMYpM7RVJA3jDgWAFoMaMTs5C3Yc ys7A9z2gBf K pE3P TZEgC1a4BRVllpJD8iLF5REZoQ9V DCmGU2QWzXoBiML3UkuVazMo W6HOEPa1LXP TA8=s0
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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Crime

Six People Killed in Shooting at Independence Day Parade

Published

1 day ago

on

5 July 2022

By

800px 4th of July Independence Day Parade 2014 DC 14466342590
  • Six people were shot dead at an Independence Day parade near Chicago, Illinois. The gunman is still unknown and actively being searched for.
  • The gunman, who is being described as a white man near the age of 20, started shooting at random with a high powered rifle from a rooftop. The parade, which should have included hours of activities and entertainment, quickly ended and crowds were dispersed.
  • Those living in nearby suburbs or areas where the suspect might have gone have been told to shelter in place.
  • July 4th marks the colonies gaining independence in 1776 from Great Britain and the formation of the United States of America.

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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Crime

Eight Gang Members Arrested and In Possession of Underwater Drones

Published

1 day ago

on

5 July 2022

By

800px Drug trafficking Caribean Sea
  • Spanish police arrested eight gang members that had unmanned underwater drones, six aerial drones, as well as other illegal substances in their possession.
  • The police said the drones could be used for illegal purposes, specifically “to be delivered to French narco-traffickers to be used to transport significant quantities of cocaine.”
  • One of the underwater vehicles was completely built, and two more were still being completed. The drones could potentially be controlled from anywhere in the world.
  • More than a year long investigation was carried out with the help of the French police to investigate the gang and arrest members in Cadiz, Malaga, and Barcelona.

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

Three People Killed in Copenhagen Mall Shooting

Published

1 day ago

on

5 July 2022

By

800px Fisketorvet Copenhagen Mall Interior 15915770832
  • Three people were killed at a mall in Copenhagen, Denmark after a gunman started randomly shooting with a rifle.
  • The suspect is a 22-year old Danish man with a mental health condition and “known among psychiatric services,” according to Copenhagen police chief Soren Thomassen.
  • Two Danish teenagers were killed, one boy and one girl, and a 47-year old Russian citizen. Four other people are in critical condition from the shooting.
  • Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen spoke about the incident, stating, “Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second.”

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

Argentina’s Economy Minister Quits

Published

3 days ago

on

4 July 2022

By

Martin Guzman
  • Argentina’s economy minister, Martin Guzmán, resigned from his post after a week of economic crisis in a 7 page letter published on Twitter.
  • Guzmán initiated office in 2019 taking lead in restructuring Argentina’s debt.
  • In addition to the global rise of food and energy costs, Argentina is battling with 60% inflation.
  • In his letter of resignation, Guzmán calls for a “political agreement within the governing coalition.”
  • Many speculate his statement was in reference to his deputy – Cristina Fernández de Kirchner – whom he was openly at odds with when approaching the country’s economic problems.
  • Prior to the resignation, Fernández took to criticizing economic policy starting with Guzmán’s inflation strategy.

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

3 Hezbollah Drones Shot down by Israel

Published

3 days ago

on

4 July 2022

By

Levant Basin
  • The Israeli military says one drone was shot down by an F16 fighter jet and the other two by Barak 8 missiles via ship.
  • The drones were unarmed.
  • In an official statement Hezbollah confirms ownership of the drones which were heading for the Karish gas field in disputed territory off the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
  • Israel previously announced plans to extract gas from the offshore rig, eliciting threats from Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
  • The disputed territory amplified tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
  • Benny Gantz, Israeli Defense Minister, accuses Hezbollah of barring Lebanon from cooperating with Israel concerning maritime borders.
  • This incident evoked support for Hezbollah, many taking to social media platforms to express gratitude for the militant group’s brazen confrontation against Israel’s platform in the Mediterranean. 

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

Russian Forces Finally Abandon Snake Island as a Gesture of Goodwill

Published

5 days ago

on

1 July 2022

By

Battle of Snake Island 2022
  • Russian forces have officially abandoned Snake or Zmiinyi Island as a gesture of goodwill in order to prove that it was not obstructing grain exports. But this claim was instantly dismissed by Ukraine once Moscow continued to shell its grain stores. 
  • Snake Island was seized by Russians on February 24; the island, which is just 22 miles away from Ukraine, is exposed to attacks from all directions, including air and sea. Once Russia seized it, Ukraine attacked the island itself and any vessels carrying troops or heavy weaponry. 
  • Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov states that controlling this island and stationing troops doesn’t make sense for either side and the island is an easy target. He argued that maintaining “fire control,”.which is having the capability to strike any target approaching the island, is a better advantage for either side. 
  • The key question is whether the Ukrainians will consider  exporting grain to reboot the war economy. However, the Russian warships still gain dominance over the Black Sea, and although they are offering Ukraine to export grains from Odessa, Ukraine rejected it due to it having to remove mines from outside the port. 

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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