Tag: Taliban

Creative Associates International (CAI): It’s Not Exactly the CIA, But Close Enough

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND — You have likely not heard of them, but Creative Associates International (CAI) is one of the largest and most powerful non-governmental organizations operating anywhere in the world. A pillar of soft U.S. power, the group has been an architect in privatizing the Iraqi education system, designed messenger apps meant to overthrow the government of Cuba, served as a front group for the infamous Blackwater mercenary force (now rebranded as Academi), and liaised with Contra death squads in Nicaragua. As such, it has functioned as “both as an instrument of foreign policy and as a manifestation of a broader imperial project,” in the words of Professor Kenneth Saltman of the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Creative Associates International (CAI): It’s Not Exactly the CIA, But Close Enough

Taliban advances in Afghanistan, U.S. and Britain to evacuate embassies

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)1 Comment

Taliban advances in Afghanistan, U.S. and Britain to evacuate embassies

“President Biden is finding that the quickest way to end a war is to lose it,” McConnell said, urging him instead to commit to providing more support to Afghan forces. “Without it, al Qaeda and the Taliban may celebrate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning down our Embassy in Kabul.”

Related:

Rapid Taliban advances in Afghanistan have the US military launching strikes to destroy captured artillery and armored vehicles

Rapid Taliban advances in Afghanistan have the US military launching strikes to destroy captured artillery and armored vehicles

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)1 Comment

Rapid Taliban advances in Afghanistan have the US military launching strikes to destroy captured artillery and armored vehicles

Related:

US troops ‘will temporarily deploy’ to Afghanistan to help evacuate diplomats

ICYMI: The Pentagon has quietly established two new Afghanistan-linked offices, including its Defense Security Cooperation Management Office-Afghanistan, and the Over-the-Horizon Counterterrorism Headquarters, both based in Qatar. (Tip of the hat to Dr. Jonathan Schroden, who directs CNA’s Countering Threats and Challenges Program.)

– Defense One

The US isn’t going to leave Afghanistan alone:

China emerges as reliable partner for Afghan development

US Fingerprints on Terrorism Aimed At China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

US-led Information War Targets Southeast Asia (and China)