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Crisis: Responsibilities and the necessity of a new approach

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Afghanistan, a country with a long history of war and instability, is still in the grip of one of its most difficult crises. This crisis is not only the product of the performance of a group or a single factor, but the result of a complex and multidimensional interaction between the ruling group, the international community, political strata and the people of Afghanistan.

In order to successfully overcome this situation and achieve lasting peace and stability, it is necessary to examine the factors of the crisis and its solutions with a deeper look and a more comprehensive assessment.

1. Governing group: Totalitarian ideology

The Taliban’s way of governing, whether in the first period of rule or during the last three years, shows the management under the control of an extreme, closed and exclusive ideology.

This ideology not only denies intellectual, cultural and religious diversity, but also considers and suppresses any difference as a threat to its survival. The policies of the Taliban in order to institutionalize this ideology can be seen in the following cases:

Systematic repression: The Taliban try to maintain power with tools such as field trials, torture, physical elimination and brutal revenge against opponents. These practices, which have been widely documented by reputable national and international bodies, have not only not decreased, but have intensified.

Ignoring all legal mechanisms and standards (national and international) and denying people’s basic rights has trapped the society in a cycle of deep fear and mistrust towards the present and the future.

Monopoly of power: The Taliban have not only excluded different ethnicities and classes from participating in power, but also severely suppress any dissenting voice, even among themselves. This exclusivity is the main obstacle in the way of creating an inclusive system.

Instrumental use of religion: With a limited and distorted interpretation of Islam, the Taliban consider any opposition to their rule as blasphemy and consider any change based on the correct interpretation of religion and international standards as a sin.

The leaders of this group believe that only they have a true understanding of Islam and expect unconditional allegiance from the people of Afghanistan, while they also ask the international community to follow their orders without question. This approach has not only put the Afghan society in an intellectual dilemma, but also distorted the face of Islam in the world.

2. Global society: Passive or interest-oriented?

Over the past three years, the international community’s response to the Afghan crisis has been passive at best and opportunistic at worst. This situation is caused by several key factors:

Conflict of interest: Instead of focusing on the sustainable solution of the Afghan crisis through a transparent and comprehensive mechanism, the world’s powerful countries have focused more on their short-term interests. Some have cooperated with the Taliban under the pretext of fighting terrorism and drug trafficking, while others have had limited support for this group due to regional rivalries. Meanwhile, the Taliban are still considered a threat to regional and global security.

Lack of a comprehensive strategy: So far, the international community has not been able to create a single and coherent strategy to deal with the Taliban. This dispersion enabled the Taliban to exploit the existing contradictions and strengthen their positions.

3. Afghan people: Internal responsibility for change

The role of the ruling group and the international community in the Afghan crisis is undeniable, but the Afghan people must also accept their responsibility in this situation. Without understanding this responsibility, sustainable change will not be possible. The main obstacles in this path are:

Silence against oppression: Afghan women and girls have bravely stood up against oppression for the past three years. If men were also with them, maybe today’s situation would be different.

Lack of national unity: Ethnic, linguistic and political differences are the main obstacle to the development and formation of a common national identity. Afghan people should put aside their differences and unite for a common goal.

Flight of elites: The mass migration of elites has deprived Afghanistan of its valuable human resources. These people should return and play a role in the reconstruction of the country if the conditions are met.

The role of political classes: Some former political leaders no longer have a place among the people. Their abuse of ethnic feelings will lead to their isolation and notoriety. Instead, clean-handed politicians should focus on integration and building a national system instead of revenge.

Consequences of the continuation of the crisis for Afghanistan and the world.

For Afghanistan: Increase in poverty and unemployment, suppression of freedoms, widespread violation of human rights and deprivation of women from education are among the consequences of this crisis. The continuation of this process will turn Afghanistan into an isolated and defeated country.

For the region and the world: Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban has become a safe base for terrorist groups and will threaten regional and global security. Also, the current government will question human values ​​and cause the spread of extremism.

Solutions: Joint responsibility and multilateral approach

To get out of this crisis, all parties must accept their responsibility:

Pressure on the Taliban: The international community should use economic, political and legal tools to put pressure on the Taliban. Targeted sanctions and support for civil institutions can reduce the Taliban’s power.

Strengthening internal unity: The people and political strata of Afghanistan should learn from past differences and strive to create a national system based on law and public opinion.

Investing in education and awareness: Education and awareness are the keys to sustainable change in Afghanistan. The international community and Afghan elites should focus on strengthening the educational infrastructure.

Conclusion: Afghanistan’s future depends on a law-based system

Afghanistan will overcome the current crisis only when a political system based on law, justice and public participation with broad social foundations is established. Such a system should be representative of all ethnicities and classes and be based on the principles of equality, human rights and the rule of law.

This goal will be achieved only through the responsible cooperation of all parties. The future of this country depends on a deep understanding of this shared responsibility.

Asia

Chinese navy chief and top nuclear scientist expelled from legislature

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The chief of staff for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, and Liu Shipeng, the deputy chief engineer of the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation, were removed from their positions in the country’s legislative body.

Li is the latest in a series of PLA generals and a handful of defense industry executives implicated in a widespread investigation within the military.

In a statement on Friday, the NPC Standing Committee announced, “The Navy Soldiers’ Congress has decided to remove Li Hanjun from his post as a representative to the 14th National People’s Congress.”

The Gansu People’s Congress also dismissed Liu Shipeng from his role as an NPC deputy.

Additionally, the Standing Committee revealed it had voted to remove Miao Hua, a former top general who previously oversaw the PLA’s ideological work, from the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s highest military command body led by President Xi Jinping.

The removal of Li and Liu from their NPC memberships suggests they are facing serious disciplinary action.

China typically remains silent about purges within the military, and announcements from the NPC are one of the few indicators of such campaigns.

There is little public information available about Li and Liu, as both have worked in sensitive positions.

Before becoming the navy’s chief of staff, Li, 60, was the deputy director of the CMC’s Training and Administration Department. He was appointed to this role after serving for a year in the CMC’s Office for Reform and Organisational Structure.

In 2014, he was promoted to vice admiral upon his appointment as commander of the naval base in Fujian province, where Miao also spent a significant part of his career. At that time, he was the director of training at the China Naval Command College and was soon promoted to president of the school.

According to official media reports, nuclear scientist Liu was born into a family that “served China’s nuclear dream for three generations.”

As the deputy chief engineer at CNNC, which oversees all aspects of China’s civil and military nuclear programs, Liu also served as the Communist Party secretary and president of CNNC’s “404 base” in Gansu.

Covering an area of over 1,000 square kilometers, the base was established in 1958 and is the country’s first and largest nuclear research center. It played a crucial role in the development of China’s first atomic bomb in 1964 and its first hydrogen bomb three years later.

This secretive base is still considered a key hub for China’s nuclear deterrence and nuclear industry.

According to statements from provincial authorities, Liu was named “Gansu’s outstanding entrepreneur” in 2023.

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China, US reach agreement on export controls

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The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday afternoon that Beijing and Washington have remained in close contact since the two-day trade talks in London earlier this month, confirming the details of a framework agreement.

“China will review and approve export applications for controlled items in accordance with its laws and regulations, and the US side will, in turn, lift a series of restrictive measures against China,” the ministry stated.

“We hope the US side will cooperate with China in line with the important consensus and conditions established during the conversation between the two presidents on June 5,” the statement continued.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said the US had “signed” a trade deal with China the previous day, without providing details.

“We signed the deal with China yesterday, right? We signed the deal with China,” Trump said at a White House event introducing a budget law. “With the China deal, we are starting to open up China,” he added.

He also mentioned that a “very big” deal, likely with India, would be signed soon.

Rare earth elements

Following the event, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the US and China had signed an agreement codifying the terms decided upon in previous trade negotiations.

“They will deliver rare earth elements to us,” Lutnick said in a televised interview with Bloomberg, adding that if this commitment is fulfilled, Washington will lift its “countermeasures.”

Rare earth elements, essential for producing high-tech products, including those for the defense industry, were a major point of contention in the trade talks. China holds a near-monopoly on the supply of these minerals due to its massive share of global refining capacity.

Responding to a question on Thursday about rare earth exports, ministry spokesman He Yadong said China had approved a “certain number” of applications and would “continue to strengthen” the review and approval process for eligible applications.

He added that Beijing is willing to “strengthen communication and dialogue” with other countries on export controls and actively promote appropriate trade.

Lutnick also stated that the US plans to reach agreements with 10 major trading partners in the coming weeks. The deadline for countries to negotiate trade terms before higher tariffs are reinstated was July 9, following a 90-day suspension of import tariff hikes announced on April 2.

The two negotiating teams concluded the London talks by announcing they had agreed “in principle” on a “framework” that both sides would take home for their respective leaders to review, as they sought to get their uneasy truce, signed last month in Geneva, back on track.

The negotiations began after a highly anticipated phone call between Xi Jinping and Trump, which seemingly ended an intractable stalemate.

In the weeks following the initial agreement in Switzerland, Washington claimed China was restricting exports of critical minerals, while Beijing reacted to US restrictions on semiconductors and threats to impose visa barriers on Chinese students.

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China hosts SCO defense ministers on warship amid regional tensions

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Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted his Iranian counterpart and other high-level defense officials from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states aboard an advanced Chinese warship, just days after the US bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was among the defense officials welcomed by Dong on a military vessel in the coastal city of Qingdao, China, as part of a two-day SCO defense ministers’ meeting that concluded on Thursday.

According to Chinese state television CCTV, Nasirzadeh and other defense officials toured the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Type 052D destroyer, the Kaifeng, and later attended a reception on the ship’s deck.

Aboard the ship, Nasirzadeh thanked Beijing for “supporting Iran’s legitimate position following the recent attacks” by Israel and the US.

“We hope that China will continue to stand on the side of justice, help maintain the current ceasefire, and play a greater role in de-escalating regional tensions,” Nasirzadeh said, according to Xinhua.

In his address to the assembled ministers, Dong reportedly stated that “unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonic and bullying acts are on the rise, seriously disrupting the international order and becoming the greatest source of chaos and conflict.”

Dong called for closer cooperation within the United Nations, the SCO, and other multilateral frameworks, urging members to unite with “more like-minded forces” to defend international justice and maintain global stability.

“SCO countries must remain true to the organization’s founding ideals, uphold the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ and deepen practical cooperation in all areas,” Dong said. “With stronger actions, we can jointly safeguard a peaceful environment for development,” he added.

The event followed the US attacks on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities on Saturday, which Beijing strongly condemned.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the attacks on nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency seriously violated the UN Charter and its principles.

Additionally, the SCO meeting coincided with a NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague. In a statement from The Hague, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would hold talks with Iran about a possible nuclear deal “in the coming week.”

Bilateral Talks

According to Xinhua, the Chinese defense minister later held separate bilateral meetings with the defense ministers of Belarus, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. The state news agency reported that all parties appreciated Beijing’s efforts and significant contributions to developing SCO operational mechanisms and deepening inter-sectoral cooperation during its rotating presidency. They also expressed a strong will to further consolidate and expand military ties.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif praised Beijing’s role in de-escalating tensions. “Pakistan highly values its robust friendship with China and is ready to work together to implement its three global initiatives, deepen military cooperation, and help maintain regional peace and stability,” he said.

For Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, this year—the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression, and the world’s anti-fascist war—presents an opportunity to deepen bilateral military relations. “In line with the consensus of our leaders, we will intensify strategic communication and cooperation and contribute to global strategic stability,” he said.

Meanwhile, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the Qingdao meeting. This marked the first visit by an Indian defense minister to China since the deadly border clash between the two countries in 2020.

Military trust

According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the SCO defense ministers’ meeting is one of the key events held during China’s rotating presidency of the SCO this year. The ministers, along with representatives from the SCO and regional anti-terrorism bodies, gathered to further strengthen military trust and deepen practical cooperation among member states.

The SCO, a 10-nation bloc comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Belarus, currently covers approximately three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and about 43% of the world’s population.

The Beijing meeting, held under the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, highlighted China’s role as a significant international actor and the importance Tehran places on its relationship with Beijing, even as China has largely remained on the sidelines of the Israel-Iran conflict.

During a regular press conference at the Chinese Ministry of Defense on Thursday, when asked if Beijing was considering providing military support to Iran as an SCO member, ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told CNN, “China is ready to cooperate with all parties to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Kaifeng destroyer

The Kaifeng destroyer, where the meeting’s reception was held, is the sixth vessel of the extended Type 052D variant and serves in the North Sea Fleet. Commissioned in April 2021, the ship is approximately 159 meters (521 feet) long, weighs 7,500 tons, and is equipped with 517C anti-stealth radar. Its expanded deck allows for the landing of the PLA Navy’s Z-20 helicopters.

The warship has conducted numerous long-range exercises, including a passage through the Tsushima Strait in April, as part of Beijing’s growing operational presence in the western Pacific.

It was publicly displayed during the 74th-anniversary celebrations of the Chinese navy in Qingdao in 2023.

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