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In testimony to the European Parliament about efforts to end the war in Afghanistan, Crisis Group expert Andrew Watkins describes the current scale of fighting, Taliban policies and how outside actors can support the peace process.

Crisis Groups Senior Analyst for Afghanistan, Andrew Watkins, testified to the European Parliaments Delegation for relations with Afghanistan on 12 February 2021 about how to judge the current state of the conflict, what he sees as the Talibans perspectives on peace efforts and how this should inform how the international community can best support the process.

Watkins notes that Afghanistans war has seen measurable changes in the intensity of the conflict, which have led to some drop in casualties, but it remains one of the most violent in the world. Taliban use of suicide vehicle bombings halted for a time, but was gradually resumed, and the groups traditional assaults on provincial centres were replaced by a campaign of targeted individual killings. He explains dynamics among the Taliban that shape their views on reducing violence and ending the war, a far cry from the ceasefire that the world expected after the 2020 deal between the U.S. and the Taliban. He says that the group are the aggressors in the conflict today, and that current levels of violence are no foundation for a lasting peace process.

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Testimony on Afghanistan to the European Parliament - Afghanistan - ReliefWeb

For nearly two decades, the U.S. government has sought to advance Afghan womens rights and opportunities. Since the 2001 removal of the Taliban regime, Afghan women and girls have made substantial gains, especially in access to education and health care, and participation in the public sphere. Yet this progress has been fragile and uneven, and it is unclear whether peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban will protect womens rights and access to services. Today, U.S. policymakers face a critical question: How can the United States best promote gender equality in Afghanistan in the midst of conflict, poverty, a global pandemic, and the prospect of an Afghan government in which the Taliban exerts considerable influence?

On February 17, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings hosted Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko for a keynote address on the release of the new SIGAR report, Support for Gender Equality: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan. A discussion facilitated by Brookings President John R. Allen and a panel conversation with distinguished analysts and practitioners followed Mr. Sopkos remarks.

After their remarks, panelists took questions from the audience. Viewers submitted questions via email to events@brookings.edu or Twitter using #AfghanWomen.

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Women in Afghanistan and the role of US support - Brookings Institution

When the number of severe cases of COVID-19 began to rise late last year, Doctors Without Borders/Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) reopened its COVID-19 treatment center in Gazer Ga, in Herat province, Afghanistan. The facility, which supports the Ministry of Public Healths COVID-19 referral structure in Shaidayee hospital, resumed activities on December 2, 2020. Two-and-a-half months later, the average number of new hospital admissions for severe COVID-19 has dropped to around four patients a day.

The treatment centeroriginally open from June 28 to the end of September to support the response to the pandemics first wavehas 20 beds, including a 10-bed unit for patients who need oxygen but do not require intensive care. Its capacity can be increased to 32 or even 48 beds depending on the evolution of the pandemic.

MSF is continuing to follow the COVID-19 situation closely in Herat with the Ministry of Public Health and other partners in order to adapt our activity to the needs, said MSFs head COVID-19 nurse in the Melusi Mabhena region.

The first case of COVID-19 in Afghanistan was recorded in late February 2020 in Herat. The virus then quickly spread to the whole province and neighboring ones in March as tens of thousands of migrant workers passed through Herat on their way back from Iran. According to official data from the Ministry of Public Health, Herat remains the second-most affected province in Afghanistan after Kabul, with more than 9,143 confirmed cases and around 424 reported deaths.

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Afghanistan: Caring for COVID-19 patients in Herat - Doctors Without Borders

Indian Armys T-90 Bhishma tanks that have been deployed in Ladakh amid tensions with China were seen in action striking targets with precision alongside a US Navy brigade that has served in Iraq and Afghanistan as the two armies carried out war games in the Thar desert.

The US Army with their Stryker armoured vehicles paired up with the Indian infantry troops of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles to conduct a mock terror operation, flushing out terrorists from their hideout in an imaginary village that has been taken over by a rebel group.

With military cooperation being a key element to India-US cooperation, the exercise not just enhances interoperability between the two forces but also adds to the camaraderie between the two armies. A total of 240 soldiers of the US Army team are part of the exercise for which they arrived on February 5.

T-90 Bhishma tanks part of the exercise. (Photo: India Today)

From-50 degrees in Ladakh against China to 50 degrees in the deserts to challenging Pakistan, the lethal T-90 has always proven its mettle. The Indian and the US Army were war-gaming several scenarios of counter-terror operations in the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' started on February 8 and will be concluded on February 21.

The operation named 'Zorawar' depicts the anti-terror scenario in semi-urban and urban settings.

The US Armys Ghost Brigade located in Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Seattle, which was involved in Iraq and Afghanistan operations, was part of the exercises with the Indian Army.

It has served in Iraq and Afghanistan and more recently was part of operations in Mosul, north Iraq, that had been the hub of terror group ISIS.

US Army Stryker Armoured Vehicle in action during the war games. (Photo: India Today)

The Ghost brigade with its Stryker armoured vehicles got its name back in 2003 in Iraq as it was able to carry out operations silently. The Stryker vehicle that carries troops close to the target area almost silently without the enemy getting a whiff adds to the stealth capabilities of troops on the ground. The element of surprise, many say, is almost ghost-like.

In Iraq, we gained a reputation for quickly and quietly approaching the enemy and insurgent areas. We would strike the enemy before they even knew what hit them. So, we came to be called the Ghost bridge and our motto became arrive in silence, said Maj Spencer Garrison of the US Army who is part of the brigade.

Also in action were the US-manufactured Apache attack helicopters and the Chinook heavy-lift choppers being used by the Indian forces.

Apache helicopter airdropping a military vehicle. In the background is an Apache combat helicopter. (Photo: India Today)

Both the helicopters played a key role in Ladakh during the tussle with China. While the Apache was ready for combat missions carrying out multiple sorties to be battle-ready, the Chinook undertook several sorties in a day transporting men and material to the forward locations.

During the exercise as Indian special forces personnel were airdropped from a Mi17 helicopter, the Apache hovered around giving cover to the transport choppers as the troops slithered down amid a fog of sand. In the end, it was not just the firepower on the ground but also from the air. The Indian Armys Rudra combat helicopters launched a final assault from the air. The choppers threw open a volley of fires from the air hitting the terror dens in the mock exercise before the troops could finally zero in on the ground and declare the area free of terrorists.

Tactical meeting of officers from both sides. (Photo: India Today)

This was the 16th edition of exercise 'Yudh Abhyas'. The drill has been named Zorawar in honour of legendary Dogra military commander General Zorawar Singh, popularly known as Conqueror of Ladakh.

The focus of the drill was counter-terror operations and the two armies carrying out familiarisation and handling of weapons, battlefield trauma management, casualty evacuation and counter IED drills.

Troops from both armies share a meal after an all-night-long operation. (Photo: India Today)

Talking about counter-terror joint drills, Major Sameer Puri of the US Army said, We should maintain the high level of professionalism. We should expand more such drills so that we can integrate more staff functions.

The officer who shifted to the US from India and joined the army in 1999 said there should be an officer-to-officer level of coordination and non-commissioned officer to non-commissioned officer integration so that they can learn the common language of military processes.

Major Puri said terrorism is the biggest threat to the world and it should be countered strongly. We have learnt a lot during the exercise, he said.

We were welcomed with open arms. The hospitality was more than even dreamed about. It is a great experience to have shared understanding with the Indian Army, said Captain Alicia Brown also part of the US delegation.

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War games in Thar: US Ghost warriors of Iraq, Afghanistan team up with Indian Army to flush out terrorists - India Today

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Afghanistan needs to be vigilant against the spoilers of peace in the war-torn country.

Talking to the Head of Massoud Foundation, Ahmed Wali Massoud in Islamabad, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan has always supported peace in Afghanistan and the world.

Foreign Minister highlighting Pakistans facilitation of the US-Taliban Peace Agreement and the commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations, said this historic opportunity must be seized by the Afghan leaders to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored that all sides must take measures for reduction in violence, leading to ceasefire.

He said Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan and urged all sides to work together constructively for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan desires closer ties with Afghanistan and for the very purpose Islamabad has taken several practical steps including opening of border despite COVID-19, introduction of friendly visa regime, and scholarships for Afghan students.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan, on its part, will continue to play a constructive role till achievement of desired objective of return of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

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Afghanistan needs to be vigilant against spoilers of peace in country: FM - Radio Pakistan