Dalia Ziada

of Taliban’s effortless and swift ascendance to the peak of power in Afghanistan, almost overnight, on August 15th. IronicalThe world has yet to recover from the shockly, the transfer of power between the American presidents Trump and Biden, in January, was much complicated than the transfer of power from the US-backed president Ashraf Ghani to Taliban. The haste and chaotic withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, after twenty years, left no option to the Afghan government and military but to surrender. Taliban

Ironically, the defunct Afghan army was bigger in size and stronger in power than some European NATO allies. The Americans trained and equipped the army well, but when they decided to leave the country, they did not bother to coordinate their departure with the Afghan military or government. Rather, they signed an agreement with Taliban, and allowed them a year to prepare themselves for this moment. In the process, the Afghan people and government were kept in the blind, until they found themselves all alone with Taliban. So, they gave up!

The tragic scenes, at Kabul Airport, of Afghan people clinging to the wheels of the American warplanes in hope to escape Taliban’s hell are a glimpse of the pain and misery that the Afghan people, especially vulnerable groups like women and children, are going to suffer on Taliban hands. Yet, the international community and leading politicians, in the west and the east, are still playing around innocent questions about Taliban; as if they are not old enough or experienced enough to remember the atrocities that Taliban had committed, not only inside Afghanistan but also worldwide, under the flag of their so-called Islamic Sharia. The dark memories of 9/11 attacks in New York are still vivid.

Among all the shocking statements made by world leaders, such as the European Union and the UNICEF, about their optimism towards Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, one particular statement stood out. In an interview with Sky News TV, the Chief of Staff of the British Army, Nick Carter, described Taliban fighters as “country boys” that the world needs to be patient on and give them the chance to prove that they are “more reasonable” than the old Taliban. It is difficult to assume that a military commander, as experienced and smart as Carter, could be deceived by the lies Taliban are currently spreading about their openness to including women in public life and giving amnesty to the Afghans who supported US and NATO missions, over the past years.

The US and NATO chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in a way that enabled Taliban to seize power, is one mistake that the world might forget. However, the international community leaders’ insistence on giving Taliban legitimacy and forcing the public opinion to eat their lies about supporting human rights and women’s rights and not going back to practicing terrorism against other countries, especially in the west, is a huge mistake that innocent people, all over the world, are going to pay a heavy price for.

Taliban is an Islamist extremist organization, that is now equipped with highly advanced military gear in a country that has not government or military to resist them. Do not trust Taliban when they claim that they have changed or became open-minded. Taliban today is much more brutal and dangerous than the Taliban of the 1990s. Just wait until they get the chance to show their real face. Terrorizing and killing innocent civilians based on religious identity, humiliating women, enslaving children in minor marriages, and similar inhumane atrocities, are only a small part of Taliban’s religious and political ideology, that they will never abandon. Do not believe Taliban!

BY: Dalia Ziada levant

levant

14 million people facing severe hunger in Afghanistan UK Defence Secretary: No plane from Kabul has left empty

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”