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 announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.