The high tide on Sunday night helped to free the ship, reports Asian Lite News.
A massive container ship which had blocked the Suez Canal since March 23 has been freed and re-floated, maritime service provider Inchcape Shipping said on Monday.
The Panama-flagged ship, Ever Given, had veered off its course in a single-lane stretch of the canal during a sandstorm.
“The MV Ever Given was successfully re-floated at 4.3 a.m.. She is being secured at the moment,” Inchcape Shipping tweeted.
The high tide on Sunday night helped to free the ship, the service provider indicated.
The vital waterway is expected to be ready to resume traffic by 11 a.m. (local time), an Egyptian presidential advisor on the Suez Canal projects said on Monday, according to the Dubai-based television CNBC Arabia TV.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from the state Suez Canal Authority (SCA).
Online footage showed the vessel repositioned.
Ten giant tug boats were engaged in “pulling manoeuvres” to refloat the vessel, (SCA) head Osama Rabae said earlier on Monday.
Dredgers and tug boats had been working around the clock to free the massive 400-metre-long-vessel.
The blockage of the canal led to disrupted supply chains and sent ripples through global markets.
According to the canal authority, around 370 ships were waiting for passage on both sides of the canal, including 25 oil tankers.
Financial news wire Bloomberg reported there could even be 450 waiting ships.
The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, provides the shortest shipping route between Asia and Europe.
The blockage was costing the canal operator $13 million to $14 million in losses per day, according to the head of SCA.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had ordered preparations for the possibility of reducing the load of containers on the vessel to help free it.
At least 18,840 ships passed through the canal last year.
The Suez Canal provides one of Egypt’s main sources of income, alongside tourism and remittances from expatriates.
Revenue from the waterway reached $5.6 billion last year.
The Ever Given became jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal in high winds early on Tuesday, halting shipping traffic on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.
At least 369 vessels were waiting to transit the canal, including dozens of container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels, SCA Chairman Osama Rabie told Egypt’s Extra News on Sunday.
Crude oil prices fell after news the ship had been re-floated, with Brent crude down by $1 per barrel to $63.67. Shares of Taiwan-listed Evergreen Marine Corp – the vessel’s lessor – rose 3.3 percent.
About 15 percent of world shipping traffic transits the Suez Canal, which is a key source of foreign currency revenue for Egypt. The current stoppage is costing the canal $14-$15 million a day.
Shipping rates for oil product tankers nearly doubled after the ship became stranded, and the blockage has disrupted global supply chains, threatening costly delays for companies already dealing with COVID-19 restrictions.
Some shippers had decided to reroute their cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope, adding about two weeks to journeys and extra fuel costs.
India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar
The government has extended time till Dec 31, 2021, to get the OCI cards re-issued for those below the age of 20 years and above 50 years, reports Asian Lite News.
People of Indian origin and Indian diaspora having overseas citizens of India (OCI) card are now not required to carry their old, expired passports for travel to India, as required earlier.
The Overseas Citizens of India or OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin globally which gives them almost all the privileges of an Indian national except for the right to vote, government service and buying agricultural land. The OCI card gives them a visa-free travel to India.
In a March 26 press release, the Indian missions in the US said that in order to ease the travel of OCI card holders, it has been decided that the “time line for re-issuance of OCI cards in r/o OCI card holders, who may be required to get their OCI card reissued has been extended until December 31, 2021.”
“The requirement of carrying old and new passports, along with the OCI card, has been done away with,” the Indian embassy said on its website, referring to a notification issued in this regard by the Centre, addressing one of the major concerns of overseas Indians.
“Henceforth, an OCI cardholder travelling on the strength of an existing OCI card bearing old passport number is not required to carry the old passport. However, carrying the new (current) passport is mandatory,” the embassy said.
According to the embassy, the Indian government has also decided to grant further extension of time till December 31, 2021, to get the OCI cards re-issued for those below the age of 20 years and above 50 years.
As per the current OCI guidelines that have been in force since 2005, an OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years or after completing 50 years of age.
The Indian government has relaxed the second provisions since last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The timeline has been extended multiple times so far. However, this is for the first time that the guidelines has been relaxed for carrying old passports and the new passports along with the OCI cards for overseas Indians.
This has caused a lot of inconvenience among the Indian diaspora as normally the old passport is discarded after the issue of new ones. But the old OCI rules desired that the overseas Indians carry the old passport as well along with the new passports and the OCI card.
New York-based social activist Prem Bhandari, who has been taking up the cause of OCI card holders for the past several years, welcomed the announcement. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of India for not only extending the renewal up to December 31 this year but also for relaxing the guidelines and not requiring OCI card holders to carry their old, expired foreign passports.
“The OCI card holders can heave a sigh of relief worldwide,” with these new guidelines, he said. He expressed thanks to Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla for the new guidelines.
Bhandari said that he had seen first-hand the inconvenience caused to members of the Indian diaspora due to certain OCI card rules as they undertook travel to India during the pandemic.
The OCI card, among other benefits, allows multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to an Indian-origin foreign national to visit India. Under the provisions of the OCI card, which gives the cardholder lifelong visa to India, those below 20 and above 50 need to renew their OCI card every time they have their passport renewed.
Global leaders called for a treaty that would provide a framework for international cooperation to immediately exchange information at the start of possible pandemics…reports Asian Lite News
Twenty-five world leaders have supported a proposal from European Council President Charles Michel to draw up a new international treaty on pandemic preparedness in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
Leaders including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed an opinion piece along with Michel and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, dpa news agency reported.
“There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat alone,” the piece, published on Tuesday, said.
The article made the case for a new agreement anchored in the WHO’s constitution that would improve global preparedness for pandemics and ability to respond.
Zulema Riquelme, a 46-year-old nursing technician, receives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Metropolitan Hospital in Santiago, Chile
A treaty would provide a framework for international cooperation to immediately exchange information at the start of possible pandemics, and channel global resources for research into possible treatments and vaccines, Michel said at a virtual press conference with Tedros on Tuesday.
“The time to act is now,” Tedros said, “We must not allow the memories of this crisis to fade and go back to business as usual.”
Michel first put forward the idea in November, but has now won public support from heads of state or government from Indonesia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Tunisia and South Korea, among others.
People wearing face masks visit the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C during covid 19 surge
However, notable omissions from the article’s signatories include the US and China.
Initial reaction among the 194 WHO member countries was “positive”, according to Tedros, who said he hoped all would help take forward debate on the initiative ahead of May’s World Health Assembly.
It was too soon to say whether the treaty could cover contentious issues such as intellectual property on vaccines or more equitable sharing of shots, the WHO chief added.
Grand Master Akshar shares four simple yoga ashanas that can help get rid of bloating and boost digestion…writes Puja Gupta.
Heavily processed, oily and junk food cause problems like acidity, bloating, and gas. They cause excess production of acid in the stomach by the gastric glands. The over secretion of this acid leads to a sensation of burning in the stomach, causes stomach aches, constipation and even loss of appetite in some cases.
Practicing yoga regularly will get you on the path towards good health, longevity, fitness, increased stamina, and boost immunity as well. Grand Master Akshar shares four simple yoga ashanas that can help get rid of bloating and boost digestion.
Vajrasana
(Wikipedia)
The only pose that can be done right after a meal, can be performed on a full stomach.
Formation
* Stand in Samasthithi, slowly breathing in and out
* You may keep your eyes closed
* Keep your arms straight by your side
* Slowly open your eyes and kneel down on your mat
* Sit on your heels turning your toes outward
* Keep your heels close
* Place your palms on your knees facing
* Keep your spine erect and look forward
* Hold this asana for a while
Malasana
(Wikipedia)
Formation of the posture
* From Samasthiti, bend your knees and lower your pelvis
* You are in a full squat position
* Keep your feet flat on the ground and knees apart
* Stretch your arms out ahead resting them on the knees
* Spine is erect
Eka Paad Badha Malasana
Formation of the posture
* From Samasthiti, bend your knees and lower your pelvis
* You are in a full squat position
* Keep your feet flat on the ground and knees apart
* Stretch your right arm up and wrap it around your right knee from the outside
* Lock your right hand from behind with your left
* Look ahead keeping your spine as erect as possible
* Repeat on the other side
Dandasana
(Wikipedia)
Formation of the posture
* Sit with your legs stretched out
* Activate your toes keeping them in a flexed position
* Back remains straight
* Stretch out both arms holding them parallel to the floor
The expert says: “Yoga postures are designed to optimize the functioning of the internal organs keeping your body free from toxins, and working smoothly. Yoga can also be an excellent way to boost your digestive system as the practice of yoga keeps away stress.”
Another advantage of floral motifs is that they tend to distract the eyes from any deficiencies and flaws in the interior, he says…writes Puja Gupta.
Artistic interior works are the primary concern of modern home aspirants. Summers bring with them the need for bright and refreshing interior decor ideas. Interior decor plays a critical role in managing the sweltering heat of the summers. With a plethora of ideas, right from adding in wall colour to adding those breezy green plants to changing the look of your rooms with breathable linens, you can explore different decor hacks to beat the heat of the sun!
When you think about summers, the one thing that comes to mind is flowers. Floral prints are the go-to decorating option adding in a homely touch of warmth and comfort to the interior. Subtle, pastel shades, or bright, loud colours, allow these prints to highlight your bedroom turning it into a warm, space, full of life, says Saurav Gupta, CEO, Bella Casa — manufacturers and distributors of chic home textile products and designer ethnic wear.
Another advantage of floral motifs is that they tend to distract the eyes from any deficiencies and flaws in the interior, he says.
“However, before you start furnishing your bedroom with floral prints, you should take the overall style of the room into consideration. The key is to remember that too much floral will hurt the eyes, but a touch here or there will give it that summertime oomph,” says Gupta.
Wallpapers:
Wallpaper with floral print is one of the most common options people opt for while adding a floral touch to their rooms. These prints have thousands of variations: simplified and accurate in designs ranging from large to small flowers.
“Once you get the knack of decorating your bedroom using floral prints, you would be surprised how they contribute to the amped-up mood in the morning and positive emotions at bedtime. However, you need not use floral printed wallpapers in the entire bedroom, highlighting a single wall can all add a delicate charm to your summer-ready room,” says Gupta.
Bed covers and upholstery:
Giving your room a floral makeover this summer isn’t as hard a task as it looks! Nothing says summer more than the bright and pappy floral printed bed sheets and curtains in your bedroom. You can get quirky floral printed bedsheets that will complement your solid coloured walls or add in light curtains with dainty floral embroidery to let the light dimly enter your room giving it a warm and cosy vibe! You can go for a stand-out armchair, a vintage sofa, floral cushion covers or a vibrant rug, Gupta suggests.
Simple additions:
It is necessary to ensure your bedding, curtains or wall pattern is repeated in some other elements of the room decor. The elements you add to your bedroom should also complement the patterns on your furniture upholstery, bed sheets and curtains. Elements such as a wall hanging, or a floral motif vase or shelves in the bedroom will look elegant making your bedroom bright and beautiful this summer, he concludes.
France reiterated the support for the newly elected transitional government in Libya…reports Asian Lite News
France has reopened its embassy in Libya after seven years, with the diplomatic representation tweeting “back to work”.
Monday’s reopening comes a week after President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan, reports dpa news agency.
In 2014, France had moved its diplomatic mission to Tunisia.
The year before, its embassy in Libya’s capital Tripoli had been attacked.
The country wants to signal its support for the newly elected transitional government in Libya.
The leadership under Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh was sworn in a fortnight ago.
It replaces the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli and the rival government based in the east of the country, and is to lead Libya to nationwide elections on December 24.
Libya has been in turmoil since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.
The oil-rich country has become a proxy battleground for rival forces and foreign powers.
The new transitional government has ignited hopes of a gradual end to the conflict.
The foreign ministers of France, Germany and Italy recently backed the new leadership with a visit to Libya.
The regular stains that wardrobes or cupboards have are because of dust accumulation in the corners and crevices…writes Puja Gupta.
Unorganized rooms and wardrobes are habits of ‘legends’ ,but not a good scene for anyone. Most of the time, we concentrate on cleaning the items placed inside the wardrobe but not the closet itself. But, maintaining a clean wardrobe definitely is a road map to your clean clothes. Here are the five quick wardrobe maintenance tips for fresh clothes, shared by Roopa Hariharan, Co-founder PureCult, an eco-friendly home cleaning products maker. Spot clean the wardrobe with detergent or cleanser to avoid dry and irremovable stains
Based upon the material your closet is made up of, you can use a detergent, soap or cleanser to remove the stains immediately. The regular stains that wardrobes or cupboards have are because of dust accumulation in the corners and crevices. But spills are also another reason to form the spots. Clean them immediately to avoid dry and glossy stains.
Combat the moths out of the wardrobe to save your woollen wear
Moths are mostly drawn to sweat, hair and body oil left on clothing, particularly those made out of natural fibres. Even though we clean all the clothes before placing them in the wardrobe, the leftover scents are enough for them to settle over.
Place dried rosemary, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves into a small cloth bag and hang them in your wardrobe or your drawers. The essential oils form of these herbs, spread on contaminated areas of the closet, can also repel moths. You can use an essential oil diffuser alongside to eliminate them.
Transform your summer wardrobe to be autumn-ready
Pick good thick wooden hangers to hang your clothes in the wardrobe
Not all the clothes require a smooth iron and fold to place them back. Few require a free flow of air. You can hang such delicate pieces with hangers. Ensure you are picking good thick wooden hangers set to hang your clothes. The wooden hangers will help you maintain the shape of the shoulder. Also, maintain an inch between each piece of clothing while hanging them in a wardrobe to let your costumes breathe.
Practice wardrobe organization and storage habits to increase the span of your wardrobe and clothes
Whether you have a cool walk-in closet or just a couple of shelves, the way you store clothes can make them last for years. Follow the basic principles like folding heavy sweaters onto the top shelf, buttoning the buttons and zipping the zippers to maintain the shape before placing. Placing them at the right points will make your wardrobe less messy and fewer stains in the end.
Freshen up the wardrobe with the fragrance of lavender and geranium essential oils
Feel the fresh and relaxing aroma from your closet by placing the mixture of lavender, geranium and basil essential oils. They freshen up your wardrobe and keep it light and aromatic every day.
A fresh and clean closet is everything you need for your perfect clothing and accessories storage. Follow the above easy tips to ensure you have a refreshing closet and refreshing clothes henceforth!
Death toll in Myanmar's anti-coup protests tops 500
The number of protesters killed in the Myanmar anti coup protests crossed the grim 500 mark…reports Asian Lite News
The situation in Myanmar is alarming the international community, especially after 110 deaths were reported on March 27 alone, with the European Union calling it “a day of terror”.
The number of pro-democracy protesters killed in the ongoing demonstrations in Myanmar against the February 1 military coup has surpassed the grim 500 mark, a monitoring group said on Tuesday.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) puts the nationwide death toll at 510, after another 14 people lost their lives at the hands of security forces on Monday, reports dpa news agency.
The deteriorating situation in Myanmar is alarming the international community, especially after 110 deaths were reported on March 27 alone, with the European Union calling it “a day of terror”.
The latest crackdown was in Yangon’s South Dagon township, where witnesses say that, during the past two days, the military has carried out a campaign of destruction that laid waste to whole neighbourhoods.
The General Strike Committee of Nationalities, one of the main groups behind the protests, on Monday urged Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups to stand on the side of protesters.
said they share their sympathies with the family members of those who have lost their lives fighting for Myanmar.
The military must immediately stop their attacks and engage in political dialogue, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Palaung State Liberation Front and the Arakan Army said in the statement.
Myanmar protestors flood streets in Mandalay despite army crack down
“If Myanmar’s military doesn’t do the above mentioned facts and continue (the killings), our three partner groups will cooperate with all nationalities who are joining Myanmar’s spring revolution in terms of self-defence,” it added.
The military seized control of the South-East Asian country after an election which former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy party won by a landslide.
The Army has had Suu Kyi under house arrest since February 1.
The philosophy behind Pa Pa Ya is simple – present Asian cuisine paired with Asian centric spirits with a twist…writes Puja Gupta.
Food is a weakness for some people at least. Pan Asian dining concept Pa Pa Ya has opened in Gurugram. With this newest entrant, Moonshine Food Ventures strengthens their association with Massive Restaurants after the opening of Farzi Cafe, Aerocity.
The design of the place draws inspiration from the age-old art of “kintsugi” which is similar to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, embracing of the flawed or imperfect.
Speaking on the opening, Zorawar Kalra, Founder and Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., said: “Pa Pa Ya is a fun and ‘high energy dining’ concept that encapsulates all the five senses into the dining experience. The philosophy behind Pa Pa Ya is simple – present Asian cuisine paired with Asian centric spirits with a twist. This is done through a mix of cutting- edge cooking techniques like molecular gastronomy & mixology, which has been used throughout the menu wherever it genuinely adds value, in a sense for it to be a combination of art and science.”
Vishal Anand, Founder, Moonshine Food Ventures, said: “Pa Pa Ya, Gurgaon is an outcome of our successful and pleasant association with Massive restaurants which started from Farzi Cafe, Aerocity. The association has only become stronger with time and with the second franchise in place, we hope to achieve greater heights together with Pa Pa Ya.”
Pa Pa Ya, Gurgaon is integrated with cutting edge contemporary cooking techniques, including the use of the latest innovations and technology used in molecular gastronomy.
Retaining the flavors of Asian classics, the menu includes Sushi Matrix, Shao Mai Dimsums, Lamb Rendang curry; Penang Curry; Mapo Tofu; Peanut crusted ikan bakar; Shanghainese style pork belly; Tuna tataki pizza; Rock shrimp tempura; and more for a true pan-Asian dining experience.
For those with a sweet tooth, the selection offers unique versions of iconic dessert from the regions that are presented in a fun and engaging manner for an indulgent affair such as Chocolate ball on fire, Liquid hazelnut fondant cake and many more.
The property offers a mix of outdoor and indoor seating for the guest. Seating capacity of 72 people, situated on the second floor of Worldmark Gurgaon giving a magnificent view of the Gurugram skyline.
The US troops play a crucial role in the future of Afghanistan. They stand between peace & Terror Caliphate of Taliban. The Afghan issue has put President Biden in a quandary: If he withdraws the troops by May 1, as stipulated in the Doha agreement between the Trump administration, Taliban and the Afghan government, he would domestically fall into the Republican political trap. If he does not withdraw, not only will be expose American troops to protracted danger for perhaps years but also he may have to take the blame for any decision of an angered Taliban to attack US forces …. Reports Dr Badusha Ahmed Khan
US President Joe Biden must be asking himself one question: Will the Taliban in Afghanistan revive its attempt to convert the Islamic Republic into an Emirate with an Islamic leader and instil terror as a tool of governance once the American forces leave the battle-scarred region? He is not getting any clear answer.
The capacity of the Taliban to inflict terror is evident even now, when anywhere between 2500 and 3500 US troops are in Afghanistan and the US air force carries out support sorties to complement the Afghan military’s attacks on Taliban bases.
The Taliban issue has put President Biden in a quandary: If he withdraws the troops by May 1, as stipulated in the Doha agreement between the Trump administration, Taliban and the Afghan government, he would domestically fall into the Republican political trap. If he does not withdraw, not only will be expose American troops to protracted danger for perhaps years but also he may have to take the blame for any decision of an angered Taliban to attack US forces – something it has not done so far.
US troops in Afghanistan(IANS)
Biden’s White House press conference in March third week was marred by the American confusion over its Taliban policy. Biden was asked about the May 1 deadline for withdrawal of the US troops.
“If we leave, we’re going to do so in a safe and orderly way,” he said. But he quickly clarified: “It’s not my intention to stay there for a long time, the question is how and under what circumstance do we meet that agreement that was made by President Trump to leave…but we are not staying a long time.”
Does he envisage presence of American troops in the later part of 2021 and thereafter?
“I can’t picture that being the case.” But are the troops leaving by May 1? “We will leave. The question is when we leave.” So, the troops are ready to move by the deadline? “…just in terms of tactical reasons” there could be a delay, was his response.
While international defence policy experts write reams about the American presence or absence after May 1 in Afghanistan, President Biden is grappling with practical concerns than policy ones, those close to him confide.
His Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said in Kabul when asked if troop withdrawal is linked to end to Taliban-sponsored violence: “I won’t comment on that. But what I will say is that it’s obvious that the level of violence remains pretty high in the country.”
US Defence Secy visits Ghani(IANS)
General Richard Clark, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a recent Senate testimony said: “It is clear the Taliban have not upheld what they said they would do and reduce the violence. While on the positive side they have not attacked U.S. forces, it is clear that they took a deliberate approach and increased their violence since the peace accords were signed.”
Representative Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said of the May 1 deadline: “Running for the exits pell-mell by May 1 is dangerous. It is dangerous to our troops [and] I don’t want to leave a bunch of, you know, high-grade military equipment behind for whoever grabs it either.”
All these personages are saying what President wants to hear as he reviews the withdrawal issue: Logistics and logistics alone could delay withdrawal of US troops.
What precisely are the brass tacks issues that Biden is grappling with? First of all, the Emirate conversion issue.
No doubt the US joined Russia, China and Pakistan in the second half of March to oppose the restoration of an Islamic Emirate under the Taliban, but Biden knows that is the core issue. He has proposed an international peace conference in Istanbul, Turkey in April, 2021 with the Taliban and the Afghan government. This would be his administration’s initiative, essentially to differentiate it with the attempts made by the Trump administration. The Afghan government has accepted the invite, but the Taliban is yet to respond.
US troops in Afghanistan(IANS)
Biden’s idea seems to be to make his new administration control the Afghan peace process. In other words, get his stamp all over it. He wants to ensure that the Taliban and the Afghans form a joint government in Kabul. The Taliban is aware that it was not invited to the last such conference the US hosted in Bonn, Germany in 2001 to form an Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai after the Taliban was ousted following the 9/11 attacks. The same Taliban is key to the Istanbul conference today.
Biden’s experts are telling him the Taliban “is stronger now than at any point since 2001….with up to eighty-five thousand full-time fighters, it controls one-fifth of the country and continues to launch attacks”.
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has already issued a caution: “Analysts warn that violence could escalate dramatically in 2021 and that the peace process could collapse, increasing the likelihood of an expanded civil war, casualties, and activities by terrorist groups.”
The CFR, in its March, 2021 edition points out that “the group (Taliban) has withstood counterinsurgency operations from the world’s most powerful security alliance, the NATO, and three US administrations in a war that has killed more than 6,000 US troops and contractors and over 1,100 NATO troops…. some 46,000 civilians have died, and an estimated 73,000 Afghan troops and police officers have been killed since 2007”.
The Taliban’s own losses are said in the tens of thousands, but “the group is stronger now than at any point in the last 19 years….it has between 55,000 and 85,000 full-time fighters”.
US troops in Afghanistan.
Referring to the terrorist group’s geographical influence, the CFR says: “In early 2021, the Taliban controlled an estimated 19 per cent of districts, while the government controlled 33 per cent, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Long War Journal, a U.S.-based publication that has covered the U.S. fight against al-Qaeda and other militant groups since 2007.”
A UN mission, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Taliban violence has increased several times 2020 onwards and proves it by providing data that shows “8820 civilian deaths and injuries” occurred in 2020 alone. If anyone thinks the figure is high, it should be remembered that it is a 1,000 less than the 2019 figure.
The second headache for President Biden is the inability of the American troops to choke the financial resources of the Taliban. Opium poppy cultivation and narcotics are the Taliban’s primary source of revenue.
A UN report estimated “that it earned $400 million in 2018 from the illegal drug trade”. It gets additional revenue through taxes it levies “on commercial activities in its territories, such as farming and mining and other activities like “illicit mining, the extortion of local businesses, and donations from abroad”.
This, in spite of the fact that the Americans poured billions of dollars to stop the narcotics trade. It is estimated that the US spent $10 billion on anti-narcotics operations in the last decade or more. However, cultivation of opium poppy quadrupled in this period. What is worse, Afghanistan now has the dubious record of suppling “80 per cent of the world’s heroin”.
The Taliban have so effectively pulverised the Afghan military forces that reports from Kabul claim the government is finding it difficult to find new recruits for the army.
Since 2016, the Taliban have killed on an average 20-25 Afghan security forces every day. As the fatalities began to double two years later, the Afghans and the Americans jointly decided to keep the actual fatalities under wraps for fear of demoralising the Afghan forces. Afghanistan’s main army recruitment centre in Helmand gets not more than two or three applications a day. The government also began to face attrition in terms of desertions and failure to re-enlist – another fact it does not advertise.
President Biden has also to find out how the Afghans and the Taliban share power if things actually reach that stage of negotiations in Istanbul. There are other questions in his mind as well: “What will happen to Afghanistan’s democratic institutions and constitution? How women’s, LGBTQ+ individuals’, and religious minority groups’ rights will be protected?
Taliban representatives have said they would protect women’s rights under Sharia but have given few details on what doing so would look like in practice.”
Other questions include whether the Taliban forces will be “disarmed and reintegrated into society”, who will “lead the country’s army”.
The real question is whether for the Taliban the proposed peace has a narrow meaning: “Peace does not mean an end to the fighting, it means an end to the US occupation”, as a journalist put it. Once the Americans leave along with their troops, will the Taliban not only re-occupy the bases they were evicted from but also try to re-establish the Islamic emirate, handing over power to an orthodox cleric who abides by principles of terror than peace?
