Author: Steven Sahiounie

Russian Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, announced that the “Taliban” Movement announced that it will guarantee the security of the Russian embassy and the other embassies in Kabul. “We have had such guarantees for a long time, but this is not just about Russia. It guarantees everyone’s safety,” Kabulov said. He stressed that Moscow has “no plans to evacuate the Russian embassy in Kabul”, adding that the members of staff are “calmly carrying out their duties”. Russia is working with other countries to hold an emergency UN Security Council session on Afghanistan as the Taliban completes its military takeover…

The Tunisian Tayyar Chaabi party expressed its absolute rejection of any foreign intervention in the country, seeing that Ennahda Movement’s actions in this regard are “conclusive evidence of insisting on national treason.” In its statement, the party stressed the need to prepare the military for a sovereignty battle. The party renewed its call to all countries and the United States in particular, to respect the Tunisian people’s sovereignty and not meddle in Tunisia’s internal affairs. According to the statement, Tayyar Chaabi also warned against the Turkish role which “mastered” in exploiting the internal crises of Arab countries and tried to…

Today, Sunday, a delegation from the “Taliban” Movement arrived at the Presidential Palace in the Afghan capital, Kabul, to hold talks with the Afghan Presidency regarding a transfer of power, according to Reuters. The Afghan Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal confirmed earlier today that a “peaceful transfer of power” would take place. “Afghans should not worry (…) There will be no attack on Kabul. There will be a peaceful transition of power,” Mirzakwal said in a video message. For his part, an official at the Afghan Presidential Palace said, “President Ashraf Ghani is holding emergency talks with US diplomat Khalilzad and…

Washington has begun to evacuate its Embassy staff in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday, following news of the “Taliban” capturing parts of the city, according to Reuters. One official told the news agency that a small number of people are leaving the embassy now and others are preparing to leave. The embassy is still operational, however. Embassy staff had been told on Friday to begin “destroying sensitive material,” according to Bloomberg. The US airforce also announced yesterday that they were sending aircraft to Afghanistan to move “thousands” of US civilians before Kabul “falls to the Taliban” and salvage US equipment, which they are worried…

An Afghan presidency source said Sunday President Ashraf Ghani agreed to resign in light of the deteriorating situation in the country. He clarified that rumors of appointing former Minister of Interior Ali Ahmad Jalali as interim Prime Minister are “rumors.” President Ghani agreed to resign, the source added to Sputnik. He said it is improbable for fighting to break out in Kabul because the Taliban did not intend to take Kabul “by force,” as per a statement issued on Sunday. He also denied news about Abdul Ghani Baradar being appointed as president, labeling them as “rumors.” The source said the…

The Iraqi Armed Forces started, along with the Popular Mobilization Forces, a large-scale search operation for ISIS remnants throughout Nineveh in northern Iraq. Additionally, the Iraqi Armed Forces and the PMF started the second day of Muharram Operations to search and secure Tarmiyah, a town in Salah al-Din Governorate. The joint forces made advances backed by the Iraqi armed forces’ aircraft to secure the northern Baghdad areas from ISIS remnants, which were aiming to launch attacks on the areas during Muharram to target pilgrims. The Iraqi Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee declared its intention to discuss six issues, the most…

The Taliban ordered its forces Sunday to enter Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, as per a statement it published on its official site. According to the statement, the Taliban mobilized its forces to Kabul to prevent looting after local police deserted their posts. “The people of Kabul should not fear the mujahids, and no mujahid is allowed to enter someone’s house or harass them,” the statement added. A Taliban spokesman said the police and officials in Kabul fled, “which poses a problem for maintaining law and order.” Earlier today, the Taliban captured its 30th province, leaving only four under the Afghan government’s control.…

A report issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) confirmed that nuclear energy plays an important role in avoiding carbon dioxide emissions, thus lending a hand in the battle against climate change. The report mentioned, “Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source that has avoided about 74Gt of CO2 emissions over the past 50 years, nearly two years’ worth of total global energy-related emissions. Only hydropower has played a greater role in avoiding emissions over this period.” Experts believe that nuclear energy should be seen as part of the measures aimed at implementing the Paris Agreement and the 2030…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator During the past ten years, Iran and Saudi Arabia have struggled for dominance in the Middle East, which has raised fears of a US military intervention. The proxy wars in Syria and Yemen are prime examples of the two powers jockeying for position. The Biden administration is negotiating with Iran, but has not radically changed US foreign policy in the region. Some analysts say that both Iran and Saudi Arabia are looking to lower tensions in the region. Steven Sahiounie interviewed Dr. Marcus Papadopoulos to gain insight into the various issues more deeply. Dr.…

Confrontations erupted on Friday, in Beita, south of Nablus in occupied Palestine, as occupation troops shot tear gas canisters at demonstrators who protested the establishment of a settlement outpost on Jabal Sbeih. Approximately 40 people were injured, according to an Al Mayadeen correspondent, during the ongoing demonstrations against settlers. The Palestinians in Jabal Sbeih, northern occupied West Bank, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the start of “night confusion” activities to oust the Israeli settlement atop the mountain. During clashes with Israeli occupation troops in several parts of the West Bank this afternoon, dozens of Palestinians were injured, five of them with rubber…