By Afshain Afzal

9 October 2020

President Trump’s 7^th October tweet saying all US troops in Afghanistan should be home by Christmas need not to be taken in letter and spirit. It seems more to be a political statement and does not appear to be US’ official policy. A welcome note by the Taliban, terming tweet as a positive step is but natural. If we go by the wordings of President Trump’s tweet, it read, “We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!” Trump tweeted at 7:28 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday.  Interestingly, the policy of Robert O’Brien reflects United States would reduce troops to 2500 troops in Afghanistan early next year.

What are the ground realities  and how the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan will be unfolded is early to comment but there are very less possibility that complete withdrawal can be planned by the Christmas this year. The fact, however, cannot be ignored that bulk of combatants have been withdrawn many years back and only handful of American combatants are there in Afghanistan, protecting American vital projects and investments in the country. There is no doubt that the Afghan forces have almost full control while Americans are only involved in neutralizing few Counter Terrorisms threats.

As the date of 18 October is approaching nearer, many changes are rapidly taking place on the world chess board. Exactly, five years from the JCPOA’s adoption day, Resolution 2231 allows lifting of UN restrictions on countries selling conventional arms to Iran or buying Iranian weaponry from 18 October 2020. In the backdrop, new frictions have already taken roots in Africa and Middle East ranging from Mali to Iraq and Syria to the shores of Caspian Sea, which is likely to challenge and endanger the existence of present leadership at Ankara and Tehran. In Afghanistan, where efforts are in hand to include Iran and India in the make and break as well as future negotiation of Afghanistan, anti Taliban groups have displayed show of force launching attacks in 24 province of Afghanistan in a single day. Instead of an atmosphere of peace and tranquility to rebuild lost trust in the region, the strings have been released to generate new hostilities.

Back at the White House and Pentagon there is much is cooking up for regime changes in Turkey and Iran as well as Saudi Arabia. Washington is not ready to engage its troops in these bloody operations, due to fear of back-fire from American taxpayers. In a preplanned lobbied move, the United Nations Security Council’s members rejected United States of America’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s attempt of 20 August to impose sanctions on Iran due to violations of  JCPOA’s Agreement. France, Germany and the UK the U.S. notification was not “effective”.

In a new development, the US is repositioning its non-combats from Afghanistan to locations in Middle East and Central Asian Republics (CARs). We have witnessed in the past and will experience it again that in order to win Tehran as most favorite and permanent ally, Washington would attempt to given enough room to Iran to operate but at the same time look for a regime change in Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The strategy involves, making Iran more powerful despite sanctions and restrictions and finally support Shah of Iran era style government to establish top relationship between Washington and Tehran.

Washington is all due to help Tehran in war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh to weaken Turkey and Saudi Arabia and to develop new rift between Arabs and non-Arabs and at the same time US will use its proxies against Turkey and Saudi Arbaia through open media war and stationing its troops to help anti Turkish forces in Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict and Syria where Russia has already established its military might in this area to help Iran against other stakeholders.

ISLAMABAD, 7 October 2020, (TON): In  a change of command ceremony, held at PNS Zafar in Islamabad, on 7 October 2020,  Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi took over the charge as 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Outgoing Chief of Naval Staff , Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi formally handed over the command of Pakistan Navy by presenting the traditional scroll to Admiral Niazi. Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said, “fleet of more than fifty vessels, including twenty major ships, was envisioned to improve the capabilities of the Navy while four Chinese frigates will be inducted in the next few years”. He added, “Four Turkish medium-class ships will be inducted between 2023 and 2025”.

On the occasion, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy also gave guard of honour to the new Pakistan Navy Chief at Islamabad.

RIYADH, 7 October 2020, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce asks its Nationals to Boycott Turkish goods including investment  and tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce head Ajlan Al Ajlan on Saturday tweeted,” The boycott of everything Turkish, whether on the level of import, investment or tourism, is the responsibility of every Saudi – trader and consumer – in response to the continued hostility of the Turkish government against our leadership, our country and our citizens.”

Although, overwhelming majority of the people of Turkey love their Saudi brothers and consider Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as their second country, however, the development surfaced after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan passed statements of world politics including war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During his recent address to the Turkish General Assembly, Erdogan said, “It should not be forgotten that the countries in question did not exist yesterday, and probably will not exist tomorrow; however, we will continue to keep our flag flying in this region forever, with the permission of Allah.” The media carried out negative propaganda and cautioned many countries of the intentions of Turkish Presidents statement.

Turkey was quoted also to have accused Arab countries of destabilizing the region. Although, Erdogan blamed the Arab countries for instability in the Middle East and did not name Saudi Arabia but the statements from Tel Aviv and NATO Headquarters compelled Saudi Arabia to express their view point.

RIYADH, 7 October 2020, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce asks its Nationals to Boycott Turkish goods including investment  and tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce head Ajlan Al Ajlan on Saturday tweeted,” The boycott of everything Turkish, whether on the level of import, investment or tourism, is the responsibility of every Saudi – trader and consumer – in response to the continued hostility of the Turkish government against our leadership, our country and our citizens.”

Although, overwhelming majority of the people of Turkey love their Saudi brothers and consider Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as their second country, however, the development surfaced after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan passed statements of world politics including war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During his recent address to the Turkish General Assembly, Erdogan said, “It should not be forgotten that the countries in question did not exist yesterday, and probably will not exist tomorrow; however, we will continue to keep our flag flying in this region forever, with the permission of Allah.” The media carried out negative propaganda and cautioned many countries of the intentions of Turkish Presidents statement.

Turkey was quoted also to have accused Arab countries of destabilizing the region. Although, Erdogan blamed the Arab countries for instability in the Middle East and did not name Saudi Arabia but the statements from Tel Aviv and NATO Headquarters compelled Saudi Arabia to express their view point.

WASHINGTON, 3 October 2020, (African News): US Defense Secretary Mark Esper signed a 10-year military cooperation deal with Tunis Wednesday during his first stop on a regional tour, hailing US-Tunisia collaboration over the conflict in neighbouring Libya.

The past decade has seen growing cooperation between the Pentagon and Tunisia, particularly on counter-terror training and securing the North African country's long border with Libya, where jihadist groups operate and world powers back rival sides in a complex war.

"We look forward to expanding this relationship to help Tunisia protect its maritime ports and land borders, deter terrorism and keep the corrosive efforts of autocratic regimes out of your country," Esper said in a speech after meeting President Kais Saied.

Speaking at a cemetery in Carthage housing the remains of over 2,800 American soldiers, mostly killed in World War II, he warned of the worldwide threat posed by "violent extremists".

Esper also accused US rivals China and Russia of continuing "to intimidate and coerce their neighbours while expanding their authoritarian influence worldwide, including on this continent."

He said Moscow and Beijing's "malign, coercive, and predatory behaviour" aimed to "undermine African institutions".

Last month, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed that he planned to pull all troops out of Iraq as soon as possible. Accordingly, General McKenzie issued a statement quoted in the media, "In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and co-ordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September."  He added he is quite certain that the Iraqi Security Forces has ability to operate independently and to deal with the continuing threat of IS, which once controlled huge portion of Iraq. These troops will be repositioned in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Central Asian Republic and Germany as well as at choke points.  

Meanwhile, in the new development, there were reported of increased US drones targeting against Yazidis and other Kurds in northern Iraq including elements of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The locals of the affected areas claims that it was sort of show of forces as they never saw drones flying at low flight, visible to the necked eye. Interesting, these are the same Kurds, which had protection of Washington since decades and US had been protecting and patronizing. Many a times, US also issued statements for the independence of Kurdish areas. Locals of Iraq in various localities said that US, all these years empowered Kurds and pro-Iran elements in Iraq to make it their second home so that there is balance of power between Arab Muslims and non-Arab centrifugal forces, who is establishing a different identity of nationalities from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Pakistan. The US F-16 Fighter aircrafts and drones have become a constant feature to mix it with Turkish operations in Libya and Syria. In fact, an attempt is being made to malign Turkey for every attack in Northern Iraq.

If we recall, MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missile at Baghdad International Airport at the convey of General Qassim Soleimani, Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander  when he was planning to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi in Baghdad. However, despite the fact that neither his dead body nor any concrete confirmation was there, it is widely believed that General Qasem Soleimani  along with members of his convey were all killed and turned into ashes. In reaction, the Iraqi parliament passed bill urging the government to cancel the request for help it presented to the international coalition. US claimed that Iran launched ballistic missile attack at two Iraqi military bases hosting US forces.

An Iraqi former military officer who retired last year said on the condition of atomicity, “It is a game plan knitted by apparent two enemies i.e. the US and Iran, whose military commanders collaborates against Turkey. American equipment is used to attack Kurds areas to create hatred against the Turkish forces in various countries of Middle East.” He added, Iran based Kurdistan elements, US-settled Iraqis, Iranians living here and other nationalities living in Iraq are destined to play a crucial role in regime change in Iran, in the near future. He said, “Threats to Iran and Turkey for regime change should not be taken lightly.” There is, no doubt, as the moves are being unfolded on world chess board, the Western players have this time planned to target Turkey and Iran for the Government (regime) changes to build strategic partners and allies in Istanbul and Tehran.

NEW DELHI, 1 October 2020, (ToI): The NHRC has issued notice to the Union home secretary over rights organisation Amnesty International winding up its operations in the country after alleging “witch-hunt” by the government, officials said on Wednesday.

According to media reports, after the complete freezing of its bank accounts in India, the Amnesty International has reportedly halted all the work in the country, the NHRC said in a statement.

“The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and directs issuance of the notice to the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, calling for their comments on the allegations levelled by the Amnesty International as mentioned in the news report,” it said.

In a statement earlier, the international NGO had stated that “it has been compelled to let go of staff in India and pause all its ongoing campaign and research work,” the NHRC said.

“It is alleged that this is the latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human rights organisations by the government of India over unfounded and motivated allegations,” the rights panel said.

Lucknow, 30 September, 2020, (TON):  The Indian CBI court in Lucknow, has ruled that the decision of  Babri Masjid demolition was not preplanned and the  evidence were insufficient. The verdict said, the people who carried the riots were anti-nationals elements. He acquitted all the accused.

Special judge Surendra Kumar Yadav  in his verdict wrote, "The accused tried to stop the demolition." He highlighted, “The Hindu activists who tore down the 16th-century mosque were "anti-social elements".A special court in Lucknow delivered the much-awaited judgment on Wednesday in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case.  All the 32 accused, including BJP veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, have been acquitted.

CBI judge S.K. Yadav had on September 16 directed all the 32 surviving accused to remain present in the court on the day of the judgment. However, L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh are unlikely to be present in the trial court. The case relates to the razing of the disputed structure in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

All-India Muslim Personal Law Board senior member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali on Wednesday said organisations representing the community will together decide whether they need to challenge or not the CBI court verdict in the Babri mosque demolition case.

Refusing to comment on their acquittal, Mr. Mahali said, “I don’t have anything to say on the verdict. Everybody knows how the Babri mosque was sacrificed on December 6, 1992 in Ayodhya and how all rules were flouted.”

The CBI will decide on filing an appeal against the special court verdict acquitting all 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case after consulting the legal department, its counsel said.“After a copy of today’s verdict is received, it would be sent to the CBI headquarters where it would be studied by the legal department and a decision on filing an appeal would be taken as per its suggestion,” CBI counsel Lalit Singh said.

SRINAGAR, 27 September 2020, (TON): Top Kashmiri Pakistani leader Syed Ali Geelani has asked Pakistan not to change the status quo of Gilgit-Baltistan. In a statement to media, Syed Ali Geelani issued the statement through Abdullah Gilani in which he asked Pakistan to maintain its consistent policy on Kashmir.

He pointed out, “The recent unfortunate decision to grant Gilgit and Baltistan the status of a provisional province represent a major shift in Pakistan’s so far consistent policy.”He said, “The move will result in disastrous consequences. Pakistan risks not only weakening its legal position and losing moral high ground but also demoralizing Kashmiri people.”

“While the local population in Gilgit and Baltistan may have some genuine grievances and concerns and Pakistan is duty bound to address them, we believe the purpose could have been efficiently and sufficiently served without altering the status quo. The move, in our view, is laden with disastrous consequences. Pakistan risks not only weakening its position and losing moral high ground but also demoralizing Kashmiri people.”

The statement said, “We, therefore, earnestly urge the government of Pakistan to rethink the decision granting provisional provincial status to Gilgit and Baltistan keeping in view all aspects, particularly, the possible detrimental repercussions it would have on the future of Kashmir as a dispute and, consequently, on its final settlement.”