Globalsecurity.org

U.S. officials are not alone in facing blame for miscalculating the speed of the Taliban offensive. European leaders and their security advisers are also coming under mounting criticism for misjudging how rapidly events would play out in Afghanistan once President Joe Biden had decided on withdrawing American forces from the central Asian country.

The United Nations warned Monday that Yemen is no closer to peacefully resolving its civil war, as the country spirals faster toward famine and other catastrophes.

The United States imposed sanctions Monday on a top Eritrean defense official, citing Eritrea's actions during the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

A group of Somali opposition presidential candidates has rejected the government's plan for upcoming elections. The rejection could result in yet another delay for the Somali polls.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered the Commander of U.S. Transportation Command to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). CRAF activation provides the Department of Defense access to commercial air mobility resources to augment our support to the Department of State in the evacuation of U.S. citizens and personnel, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk individuals

No description

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby; Major General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations, J-35

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey is now ready to receive Afghan evacuees, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations said.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said the EU will not allow a surge of Afghan migrants, as the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has stoked fears of a repeat of Europe's 2015 migration crisis, when more than 1 million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East arrived in the bloc.

A second plane with UN staff members aboard has arrived in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, from Afghanistan for temporary relocation amid instability in Kabul after Taliban militants took control of the city.

Afghanistan's exiled central-bank governor expects the impoverished country to face a series of economic shocks under the Taliban.

Vice President Kamala Harris has vowed that the United States will continue its "enduring engagement" in Southeast Asia amid concerns triggered by its hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaotic rush of thousands of civilians fleeing the war-wracked country.

Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Sunday that more than 90 percent of Iran's defense needs are being met inside the country.

Iranian deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Mahdi Farahi announced that new edition of home-grown Bavar-373 missile system is being designed and the system which is at the higher level than S400 will be unveiled soon.

Two ships of the Indian Navy, namely INS Ranvijay (Guided Missile Destroyer, D55) and INS Kora (Guided Missile Corvette, P61), on deployment to the Western Pacific, carried out a Maritime Partnership Exercise with BRP Antonio Luna (Frigate, FF 151) of the Philippine Navy on 23 Aug 21 in the West Philippine Sea.

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Guam, an Island Territory of the USA on 21 Aug 21 as part of their on-going deployment to nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.

Young people in China are increasingly ruling marriage out of their plans for the future, putting further pressure on the government's attempts to get them to have more children, according to recent official figures.

Hong Kong has seen an alarming reduction in its population over the last 12 months, as people leave in the wake of the pandemic and the city's political turmoil.

A lawyer standing for election to a Hong Kong professional body reported intimidation and withdrew his candidacy, as the ruling Chinese Communist Party stepped up pressure on civil society groups in the city.

Implementation of last year's highly contentious national security law could cost Hong Kong its international luster as a financial hub, experts have told VOA.