Afghan Refugees Removed From Iran and Pakistan

 

Afghan refugees are being removed from both Iran and Pakistan. The recent wave of refugees was the result of the Taliban's return to power. The US-Afghan War destabilized the country. Iran and the Taliban regime do not have positive diplomatic relations. While both are theocratic governments, the two nations follow different sects of Islam. When it comes to governance, the Taliban is more authoritarian in practice. The Taliban of the 2020s, differs from the Taliban of the 1990s to 2000s. Fears of a US-Israel Iran war also complicate matters. The decline of Iranian and Pakistani relations was evident with the clashes in 2024. Iran was targeting armed groups that were suspected of attempts of sabotage against the country. Seeing as some missile fire was exchanged, this proves the region is not safe. Afghan refugees have little protection in a region with tensions and military operations. The Taliban might attempt to attack to stop emergent armed resistance groups outside of its borders. The Taliban was able to get the recognition of the Russian Federation, which could strain relations with Iran.  Afghan refugees are running out of options for safety. Alternatives are being limited. Afghans could either seek asylum in other Central Asian states . Getting access to the European Union countries would be difficult. The growing anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiment is being exploited by the political establishment in the EU and North America. Millions of Afghan refugees are being repatriated. Using repatriated is a euphemistic term for deportation. The press also tries to obfuscate the situation by calling it expulsion.  Iran and Pakistan are doing mass deportations of Afghan refugees. Deadlines are set and both countries want to meet the target of how many should be deported. Those returning to Afghanistan cannot be guaranteed safety or that the Taliban regime will not retaliate.  

Earthquakes In Afghanistan

 

Afghanistan has suffered a major earthquakes. This has been the most destructive natural disaster in the country's recent history. An estimated 2,000 people are reported dead. The damage done to villages will result in an increase in homelessness. Herat province was struck the worst. The only countries providing humanitarian aid include Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan , China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Other countries from the EU or NATO members have done nothing. Only rumors of financial aid have been expressed from the West.  The reason is because of the Taliban regime. Denying the people help, because other countries disapprove of the government is itself a human rights violation. The Afghan people have never been able to select their government. The act of collective punishment becomes very apparent when seeing who refuses to give humanitarian assistance. Pakistan is in a complicated relationship with Afghanistan. The question of undocumented refugees becomes connected with aid. If Pakistan did not want to take more refugees, then it should have an interest in helping with its neighbors development. The first earthquake was a 6.3 magnitude classification. Recovery will take time and this only sets the country back after years of war. The logistics of getting aid to Afghanistan provide a unique challenge. The mountainous  terrain makes travelling more difficult. Food, clothing, shelter, and clean drinking water need to be provided from those escaping the western section of the country.  

Representative Barbara Lee Votes Against The Afghanistan War (2001)

 

US Representative Barbara Lee was one of the few congress members to vote against the authorization of force against Afghanistan. The 9/11 attacks made the public and government vexed as well as frightened. An invasion Lee stated would not reduce international terrorism. If Al-Qaeda was a large network, it would not matter which country was invaded. The Taliban did not order the attacks and the culprits were not even from Afghanistan. Barbara Lee throughout here political career as opposed military intervention. The video of this vote is a warning about the military industrial complex and its influence over US foreign policy. The US-Afghan War was one of America's longest conflicts. The result was a defeat and the return of the Taliban to power. The question remains why does Lee continue to be part of a Democratic Party that does not value peace. This issue will continue to divide the Democratic Party.