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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2017

Nov 2017

Sep 01, 2021

Ireland Takes over Presidency of UN Security Council

Ireland took over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
The presidency of the council is held by each member state for one month, with Ireland taking the top spot for the month of September 2021.
The role of the president involves presiding over meetings of the Security Council and approving the council's agenda.
Ireland took the position at a busy time, with the fallout from the US withdrawal from Afghanistan likely to dominate meetings.
Ireland began a two-year term on the UN Security Council in January after being elected by fellow member states last year.

Taliban Expected to Adopt Iranian Model of Political System

The Taliban are expected to adopt the Iranian model of the political system for governance. Talks have been ongoing between the top Taliban leadership in Kandahar for the last few days with government formation announcement likely in about a week's time.
The supreme leader will be Hibatullah Akhundzada and under him will be the supreme council. The council could have 11 to 72 members, with the number still being decided. As per reports, the supreme leader will stay in Kandahar. Kandahar has been the traditional capital of the Taliban.
When it comes to the executive arm, it will be led by PM, with the council of ministers under him.
The Taliban plans to restore the 1964/65 Afghan constitution which was framed by the then Afghan President Mohammed Daoud Khan. The change of constitution is symbolic since the current one was drafted under foreign forces.

US Will Continue to Conduct Drone Strikes in Afghanistan

The American government has made it clear that it will continue to conduct drone strikes against the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and others within Afghanistan whenever it is necessary even after the permanent withdrawal of the US military presence from the country.
The US launched many drone strikes against an individual described as an 'ISIS-K planner' as well as a suspected suicide car bomber in recent days after the terrorist group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 13 US service members. Kirby indicated the Pentagon would utilise drone strikes if threats remain in the future.

Aug 31, 2021

UNSC Adopts Resolution on Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council, under the current Presidency of India adopted a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, demanding that the war-torn country not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.
The resolution was put forward by the US, the UK, France. It was adopted after 13 Council members voted in favour, while permanent members Russia and China abstained from the voting.

US Suspends Diplomatic Mission in Afghanistan, Moves Embassy to Qatar

The United States has begun a new diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that as the US withdrew its last troops from the country ending the 20-year war in the South Asian nation.
The US has shut down its diplomatic mission in Kabul and moved the embassy to Doha in Qatar.
"As of today, we have suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul, and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar, which will soon be formally notified to Congress. Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take," he said.

Qatar Emerges as Key Player in Afghanistan after US Pullout

Qatar played an outsised role in US efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan.
Now the tiny Gulf Arab state is being asked to help shape what is next for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban, who are in charge in Kabul.
Qatar will be among global heavyweights when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosts a virtual meeting to discuss a coordinated approach for the days ahead, as the US completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country.
The meeting will also include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the European Union and NATO.

Aug 30, 2021

US Will Have No Right to Carry Out Strikes in Afghanistan after August 31

Taliban has said that Washington will have no right to attack the country after August 31, following US drone strike in Afghanistan`s Nangarhar province.
According to Suhail Shaheen, spokesperson for the group`s political office, the Taliban-led government will stop any such attack in Afghanistan after August 31. This statement comes as the US and foreign forces are set to complete military withdrawal.

Erdogan Signals Willingness to Develop Afghanistan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled his willingness to help the Taliban develop Afghanistan.
Citing Turkey's experience in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, he said that we want to help on this point. But to help, the doors need to be opened. That's why our intelligence (agency) is currently meeting Taliban representatives.
Erdogan stressed the importance of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and ex-Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who led talks with the Taliban. Both men remained in Kabul after its fall two weeks ago.

Iraq Hosts Regional Meeting Aimed at Easing Middle East Tensions

Iraq hosted a regional conference aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and emphasising the Arab country's new role as mediator.
Among the invitees were archenemies Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose rivalry has often played out in Iraq and other countries, including Yemen and Lebanon. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan represented Saudi Arabia. It was not clear what kind of representation Iran maade at the conference.
French President Emmanuel Macron also attented the conferrence. France co-organised the meeting, which discuss a regional water crisis, the war in Yemen and a severe economic and political crisis in Lebanon that has brought the country to the point of collapse.
This meeting was a chance for Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to showcase his recent efforts to portray Iraq as a neutral mediator in the region's crises and re-engage with the world after decades of conflict.

Aug 29, 2021

Canada Halts Afghanistan Evacuations as Deadline Looms

Canada has ended evacuations from Kabul's airport, as the clock ticks down on dramatic Western efforts to help people flee the Taliban takeover ahead of a full American withdrawal.
General Wayne Eyre, the country's acting chief of Defence Staff, said that all the other countries have to leave the airport before the Americans can wrap up their mission. Canadian military flights evacuated about 3,700 people.

Newly Formed CPN to Join Deuba-led Govt.

The newly formed CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal announced to join Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led coalition government soon, vowing to not give up the communist ideology and move forward as a cultured revolutionary party.
The announcement came a day after the Election Commission granted official recognition to the newly-formed party, which was created after splitting the CPN-UML led by former prime minister KP Sharma Oli.

Aug 28, 2021

Algeria Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Morocco

Algeria's Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said Tuesday that his country has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to "hostile actions", following months of resurgent tensions between the North African rivals. The countries have long accused one another of backing opposition movements as proxies, with Algeria's support for separatists in the disputed region of Western Sahara a particular bone of contention for Morocco.
Their rivalry took a new twist last year when the outgoing U.S. President, Donald Trump, recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the territory — in exchange for Morocco normalising ties with Israel.

Tajikistan's Red Line on Taliban

In a significant development, Tajikistan has drawn a clear red line on the Taliban and said that Dushanbe will not recognize a government formed through oppression. The point was made during Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Pakistan Foreign minister SM Qureshi's meeting.
During the meeting, the Tajik President pointed, "Evidence clearly shows that the Taliban are abandoning their previous promises to form an interim government with the broad participation of other political forces in the country and are preparing to establish an Islamic Emirate."
Tajikistan has been worried over the developments in Afghanistan, and this has been the main focus during various Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meetings it has hosted. It will host the SCO heads of level meeting next month as the chair of the grouping.

Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah Under House Arrest in Kabul

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, High Council for National Reconciliation chief Abdullah Abdullah are effectively under house arrest in Kabul after the Taliban took away their security teams.
As per reports, the Taliban also confiscated cars of politicians who are currently at the mercy of the terrorist group. They also searched Abdullah's home.
Since taking over Kabul, the Taliban has promised to form an inclusive government. The group has held talks with former president Karzai and former chief executive Abdullah, both of whom stayed in Kabul after the Taliban's ascent to power after a lightning offensive.

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