U.S. intelligence agencies have told the Biden administration that the Taliban could overrun most of Afghanistan within two to three years if U.S. troops leave before a power-sharing deal is reached between the warring sides, a news report said on Friday
MONITORING (SW) – The German cabinet has agreed to extend Afghanistan mission into 2022 pending an approval by the parliament.
The Biden administration is looking to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan past a May 1 deadline while exploring a deal in which the Taliban would allow a U.S. counter-terrorism force to remain as they confront their Islamic State foes, reported Reuters.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of NATO Foreign Ministers’ conference said on Tuesday that Washington and Brussels would decide together on the exit plan for Afghanistan.
MONITORING (SW) – The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has the Alliance expects the Taliban not to launch spring offensives this year.
Calls have been made for thorough investigations and justice into the assassination of three family members of a slain journalist in Ghor province.
Analysts believe that the US pressure on the Taliban has led to serious changes in the group’s operations.
The sharp drawdown of foreign military advisers, mainly from the U.S., has virtually paralyzed the mission to train the Afghan Air Force (AAF) crews and maintain the service’s aircraft, said a new report.
US President Joe Biden has said Washington strongly supports the diplomatic process that is underway to bring an end to war in Afghanistan.
MONITORING (SW) – NATO has deferred their decision on withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan by May 1 later this year.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the Alliance supports the peace process and will only leave Afghanistan when the time is right.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said after 20 years it was time for the New Zealand Defence Force to leave Afghanistan.
