"I do think there will be pressure from Washington to rush the process along. In reality, this would be a counterproductive move. The best bet for the US is to stop telegraphing its strong intention to remove troops — the more it talks about bringing troops home, the more leverage it gives to a Taliban organization that already has a strong incentive to simply wait the Americans out, and return to the fight once US forces have left altogether," analyst Kugelman asserted. … [Read more...] about Intra-Afghan talks: A long, complicated process with no guarantee of success
Asia
Ardern’s promise to make Māori new year a public holiday is long overdue
In the wake of the pandemic, this year’s Matariki felt even more significant for me. Like many communities around the world, Covid-19 and its restrictions have taken a heavy toll on our people and so the prospect of starting afresh in July was comforting. It would have been great if more people could have enjoyed the feeling. … [Read more...] about Ardern’s promise to make Māori new year a public holiday is long overdue
#NZhellhole: how Kiwis are hitting back at Trump’s Covid taunts
New Zealanders jumped on social media and began tweeting images of the country’s renowned beauty, using the ironic hashtag #NZhellhole. People tweeted the Southern Alps, Hobbiton and Milford Sound, as well as more intimate pictures of their spring backyards, local beaches and Fathers’ Day picnics. … [Read more...] about #NZhellhole: how Kiwis are hitting back at Trump’s Covid taunts
How China’s influence is changing Hong Kong protests
"The space for resistance is shrinking and the punishments are getting more severe. Lately, it has been harder to win even the smallest victories. Subtler forms of resistance may well become the norm; small ways of showing an unwillingness to accept the loss of things that make Hong Kong distinctive." … [Read more...] about How China’s influence is changing Hong Kong protests
China claims Indian soldiers opened fire in fresh border clash
China said the incident happened on the southern coast of Pangong lake in an area known in Chinese as Shenpaoshan. On the Indian side, the area is known as Chushul where the two countries’ local military commanders have held several rounds of talks to defuse the standoff. … [Read more...] about China claims Indian soldiers opened fire in fresh border clash
