(2021-08-18). Afghanistan: Mirage Of The Good War. popularresistance.org Rarely has there been such an enthusiastic display of international unity as that which greeted the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Support for the war was universal in the chanceries of the West, even before its aims and parameters had been declared. nato governments rushed to assert themselves 'all for one'. Blair jetted round the world, proselytizing the 'doctrine of the international community' and the opportunities for peace-keeping and nation-building in the Hindu Kush. Putin welcomed the extension of American bases along Russia's southern borders. Every mainstream Western party endorsed the war; every med…
(2021-08-18). The Return of the Taliban 20 Years Later. zcomm.org This peace has no real political power behind it, but there are social movements beneath the surface that might emerge to put such a definition of "peace" on the table. Hope lies there…
(2021-08-18). Afghanistan: So What Do the Filthy Commie Peaceniks Say Now? dissidentvoice.org 
Afghan villagers stand over bodies of civilians during a protest in the city of Ghazni, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2019. An airstrike by U.S.-led forces in eastern Afghanistan killed at least five civilians. (AP Photo/Rahmatullah Nikzad) So, people get hurt when you stop waging wars, and peace is dangerous, and . . . …
(2021-08-18). Afghan-Australians call for peace, asylum. greenleft.org.au A passionate crowd of 1000 mostly Afghan-Australians and young people marched on Parliament House, calling for peace in Afghanistan. Anne McMenamin reports.
(2021-08-18). The Choice Facing Afghans: Do a Deal With the Taliban or Flee. strategic-culture.org By Patrick COCKBURN | As The Afghan government agreed at the weekend on a transitional government, which will avoid a direct Taliban military assault on the capital, allowing a peaceful trans…
(2021-08-18). "People Are Thirsty for Peace": Afghans Wary of Taliban as Group Vows to Uphold Rights. democracynow.org 
We go to Kabul for an update as the Taliban moves to secure control of Afghanistan. The group said Tuesday former government officials will not face retribution and that the rights of women and journalists will be upheld. The Taliban's rhetoric and the relatively restrained behavior of its fighters in Kabul are starkly different from how the group governed Afghanistan after seizing power in 1996, when it imposed draconian restrictions on everyday life. Despite the Taliban's pledges, many women across Afghanistan have not left their homes since the Taliban seized control over the weekend and as thousands of people…
(2021-08-18). Latin American socialism and the fight against COVID-19: Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua. mronline.org 
Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua all demonstrate what a society can do when it embraces a centralized system, people over profit, and solidarity. Not only are citizens protected, but the will to fight against threats like COVID-19 is all the stronger when nations are united behind a popular and radical project.
(2021-08-18). Venezuelan Congress Approves Government-Opposition Accord. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, the National Assembly unanimously approved the publication in the Official Gazette of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition. | RELATED: | President Nicolas Maduro thanked the lawmakers for signing the text into law and thus supporting a peaceful solution to the country's problems. | "I am grateful for the support and approval of the lawmakers of the…
(2021-08-18). Taliban victory is not a sign of peace. greenleft.org.au The Taliban's victory is not a sign of peace but a message of perpetual civil war, writes Farooq Tariq.
(2021-08-18). Iran Considers Alex Saab a Prisoner of War of the United States. orinocotribune.com Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, has said that Venezuela's Special Envoy Alex Saab, under detention in Cape Verde and facing extradition to the United States, can be considered a prisoner of war, due to the violations that the United States Government has committed by getting him arrested in Cape Verde and by pressuring that country's government for his extradition. | Khatibzadeh made these comments on Saab's situation at a press conference on Monday, August 16. He denounced the arrest and the intention to extradite Saab to a third country as it violates diplomatic lega…
(2021-08-18). Venezuelan Workers Have Recovered More than 15,000 Medical Equipment Units. orinocotribune.com The Venezuelan National Corporation of Technological Services for Medical Equipment (VenSalud) has recovered more than 15,000 medical equipment units in the country since 2018. This has been possible due to the work of 200 technicians deployed nationwide, who have strengthened the hospital and outpatient network integrating the National Public Health System. | In a press release published on the website of VenSalud, which belongs to the Ministry of Health, the president of VenSalud, engineer María Pulido, stated that the organization began its commendable work in 2018 as part of the health policy promoted by Heal…
(2021-08-18). Venezuela: Satellites, space activities and the anti-imperialist struggle. liberationnews.org 
Report from a tour of the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities center in Caracas (ABAE).
(2021-08-18). Workers take over a Kellogg factory, now known as 'Socialist Kellogg'. mronline.org 
In the worker-controlled Venezuelan Kellogg factory, you see the workers working diligently to make corn flake and sugary cereals in a new package displaying the Venezuelan flag and the words "Together for Venezuela."
(2021-08-17). Azerbaijani troops remain in Afghan capital. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com No threat to lives of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Kabul — Defense Ministry Despite the tense situation in the region, the 120-man peacekeeping unit of the Azerbaijan Army together with the Turkish troops continues to carry out its duties….
(2021-08-17). Afghanistan: Whatever the Future Brings, One Thing Is for Sure, Britain and the U.S. Should Stay Out. strategic-culture.org 
If we truly want peace in the Middle East and throughout the world, it is time we decide that we are no longer going to be used as pawns in the Empire's Great Game. | Afghanistan has become the United States' longest military engagement in history, lasting 20 years. | Similar to the Vietnam War (which lasted 19.5 years), there has never been a positive military objective for "winning" in Afghanistan such that American troops could finally leave. | As Col. Prouty has stated in his
(2021-08-17). Lies, Damn Lies, and What We've Been Told About Afghanistan. warisacrime.org 
It's far from the longest U.S. war. There was no peace before or after it. There is no after it until they end it — and bombing has always been most of what it is. It has had nothing to do with opposing terrorism. It has been a one-sided slaughter, a mass killing over two …
(2021-08-17). UN calls for a united, inclusive and representative new government in Afghanistan. peoplesdispatch.org On Monday, August 16, a day after the Taliban's takeover of power in Kabul, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting. During the meeting, the UN sought the formation of a new united and representative government in Afghanistan through inclusive negotiations. It also asked for the "full, equal and meaningful participation of women" in the new government. | The press statement also called for the end of all hostilities in the country and the restoration of order and a peaceful settlement through an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process of national reconciliation." | Speaking at the meeting, the UN…
(2021-08-17). Latin American Socialists Unite with the West Asian Axis of Resistance. libya360.wordpress.com Ben Norton The leftist governments of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia have found a key strategic ally in Iran, the heart of the Axis of Resistance. Revolutionary socialist movements in Latin America are developing closer relations with anti-imperialist resistance forces in West Asia, building a united front against Western aggression and exploitation. This budding alliance…
(2021-08-17). Mexico Talks to Resume September 3. orinocotribune.com The plenipotentiary envoy of the Venezuelan government for the peace talks in Mexico, Jorge Rodríguez, announced this Monday, August 16, that on September 3 negotiations between the government and the extreme-right opposition will resume. This was stated by Rodríguez during a press conference with international media, alongside the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, while highlighting that it was agreed that they will not only meet in Mexico, but also in Venezuela. | Rodríguez emphasized that the meeting in Mexico was the result of six months of talks. "We issued a memorandum that was the starting point f…
(2021-08-17). 'No Time for Amateur Hour': Pelosi Signals Plan to Steamroll Right-Wing Dems. commondreams.org "The president made a promise to ban all new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters," said Greenpeace, "and the American people expect him to keep it."
(2021-08-17). After Banning Mask and Vaccine Mandates, GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Gets Covid-19. commondreams.org "War and conflict never produce peace and stability. Violence and militarism, even when cloaked in the language of humanitarianism, are fundamentally at odds with human flourishing and opportunity."
(2021-08-17). Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab Is a Prisoner of War, Iran Says. telesurenglish.net On Monday, Iran's Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh pointed out that the arrest of Venezuela's Special Envoy Alex Saab is a dangerous development for international law. | RELATED: | "Iran strongly condemns any action that is contrary to the principles of international relations and hinders the activities of diplomats," he said, adding that the U.S. attempt to extradite a government envoy to…
(2021-08-17). Venezuela's Sunday COVID-19 Report: 909 New Cases, 10 Deaths & 96% Recovery Rate. orinocotribune.com 
On Sunday, August 15, the 518th day of the pandemic in Venezuela, the nation reported 909 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, all by community transmission, in addition to 10 deaths. The details were announced by Executive Vice President of the Republic Delcy Rodríguez, via Twitter. | With this update, Venezuela has reached a total of 319,094 infections and 3,799 deaths. Of this total number of cases, 9,898 are active cases. 7,058 of these are receiving care in hospitals, 2,574 in CDI [Integral Diagnostic Centers] and 266 in private hospitals. The number of people recovered stands at 305,397, which represent…
(2021-08-17). Bolsonaro's Popularity Continues to Plummet as Venezuela Becomes Hot Topic Again. globalresearch.ca
(2021-08-17). President Maduro on Mexico Talks: We Should Resume Diplomatic Relations with the US. orinocotribune.com 
After completing the first phase of the negotiations between the Bolivarian Government and opposition elements in Mexico, President Nicolás Maduro stressed this Monday, August 16, that there are expectations of a a direct dialogue with the US administration. | In a press conference offered from the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, the Venezuelan president confirmed his willingness to address bilateral issues with representatives of the White House and respond to the need to address the impact of policies from abroad on Venezuela. | "I believe that we began to move through the solution with the first step, to dialogu…
(2021-08-17). Venezuela's 7+7 Reopening Plan has kept Pandemic Under Control. orinocotribune.com The President of the Bolivarian Republic, Nicolás Maduro, described the 7+7 Reopening Plan as a success. The strategy was devised by the Venezuelan Government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. From the Ayacucho Room in the Miraflores Palace, during a press conference in which more than 20 national and international media outlets participated, the Venezuelan head of state pointed out that the country's social-economic dynamic has permitted sectors of the Venezuelan economy to remain active. "In this way," said Maduro, "the 7+7 Plan has allowed us to say that we have the pandemic under control." | He stressed that V…
(2021-08-17). Freddy Guevara Free Again, Joins Mexico Talks. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuelan opposition politician Freddy Guevara is free to join the dialogue process taking place in Mexico as a member of the delegation that represents the extreme right. Guevara spoke to the media in Caracas, on Sunday, August 15. | In addition, international news agencies reported that "in Mexico, Guevara could replace Carlos Vecchio"—the current representative of former deputy Juan Guaidó before the US, who calls himself "ambassador" in the North American country. | When speaking to the press minutes after his release, Guevara stated that he has "zero political information" when asked about the reasons…
(2021-08-17). The Death of the "Lima Group" and Re-Birth of the Latin American Anti-Imperialist Left. counterpunch.org One of the most despicable foreign policy decisions made by the government of Canada must have been co-opting a small number of Latin American countries to turn against their regional neighbour Venezuela. The plotters called themselves the Lima Group after a meeting that took place in Lima, Peru. That was much more than a casual