Much has been squandered since 1991, but the biggest threat to democracy today is the global contagion of cynicismOn 19 August 1991, citizens of the Soviet Union woke up to the news that Mikhail Gorbachev, the general secretary of the Communist party, …
‘We kept on hearing gunshots’: my chaotic escape from Kabul’s airport
Afghan journalist Ramin Rahman, 27, left on a US military plane at Hamid Karzai international airportThe day the Taliban took over started with a call from my friend in Germany. He told me to get to the airport because there was potentially going to be…
Afghanistan live news: UK MPs debate crisis as former Afghan president meets Taliban commander
Boris Johnson expresses concern for those left behind; Hamid Karzai has met Anas Haqqani; reports of unrest at Taliban checkpoints around Kabul airportTaliban say they seek no ‘revenge’ and all Afghans would be ‘forgiven’Pakistan divided over success o…
Defiant Biden stands ‘squarely behind’ decision to withdraw from Afghanistan
President shifts blame to his predecessor, Donald Trump, and the unwillingness of Afghan forces to fight the TalibanUS politics – live coverageA defiant Joe Biden has insisted that he stands “squarely behind” his decision to pull US forces rapidly out …
US troops to stay until Americans and eligible Afghans evacuated, says Biden
US president makes televised address and warns Taliban of ‘devastating’ response to any attempt to attack operationJoe Biden has said that US troops in Kabul would stay long enough to evacuate American citizens and eligible Afghan allies, and warned th…
The Taliban have retaken Afghanistan – this time, how will they rule it? | Antonio Giustozzi
The group’s hardline beliefs are unchanged, but coalition partners and regional powers may be moderating influencesThe Taliban agreed on Saturday not to enter Kabul city for now and to wait for the evacuation of western diplomats and troops, but the Af…
Some Afghan allies will be left behind, UK defence secretary concedes
Ben Wallace says it is a ‘really deep regret’ that all Afghans eligible to come to UK will not be extractedAfghanistan live news: desperate crowds at Kabul airportThe UK defence secretary has admitted “some people will not get back” as Britain tries to…
Australians with family in Afghanistan tell of despair, survivor guilt
The Afghan diaspora has been aghast watching the events in their home country unfold from afar, and talk of their fear, helplessness and disappointmentAustralians with family in Afghanistan have shared their despair and anger at the unfolding chaos in …
‘The US should be held accountable’: Guantánamo survivor on the war on terror’s failure
After 20 years during which he was routinely tortured, Mansoor Adayfi, who now lives in Serbia, asks: ‘What if that had been American boys?’When a shackled Mansoor Adayfi was lumped on to a heap of shivering, naked bodies in the pitch black, a hood ove…
Afghanistan will be seen as Joe Biden’s defeat. And it may come back to haunt him
The American public will not be in a forgiving mood if al-Qaida rises again following US withdrawal and the Taliban advanceWhat will it take for Joe Biden to admit he is disastrously wrong about Afghanistan? The US leader struck a defiant pose last wee…