US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Nato partners have been 'shoulder to shoulder' with American forces in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Nato partners have been 'shoulder to shoulder' with American forces in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Nato partners have been 'shoulder to shoulder' with American forces in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Nato partners have been 'shoulder to shoulder' with American forces in Afghanistan.

Blinken says US and Nato partners will exit Afghanistan ‘together’


Bryant Harris
  • English
  • Arabic

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that American forces will only withdraw from Afghanistan in co-ordination with their Nato allies, who they have fought alongside there for nearly two decades.

“We’ve been very clear, and Nato has been very clear, that the approach that we’re taking to this is we went in together, we’ve adapted to circumstances together and we will come out together when the time is right,” Mr Blinken said in an interview with CNN.

“And what we’re focused on now is looking at the May 1 deadline.”

“One of the things that was important was not only to share our thinking as we’re going through this review, including the May 1 deadline, but to listen, to hear from our partners who are so invested: their ideas, their thoughts, their analysis.”

While the US agreed to a May 1 withdrawal deadline as part of a diplomatic agreement reached with the Taliban last year, President Joe Biden said at a Wednesday press conference that the date would be "hard to meet" for "tactical reasons".

However, he also said that he does not expect US troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond 2022.

There are currently about 11,000 Nato troops stationed in Afghanistan – 2,500 of whom are American forces.

“There are actually more European forces in Afghanistan right now than there are American, so they’re deeply invested in this with us, and they’ve been shoulder to shoulder with us from the very start,” said Mr Blinken.

The US has accused the Taliban of failing to live up to its end of last year's agreement.

This requires it to cut ties with Al Qaeda and cease terrorist attacks.

The congressionally mandated Afghanistan study group in February released its final report, which advises against the May 1 withdrawal deadline until the Taliban meets these conditions and reduces violence against the Afghan people.

It also calls on the Biden administration to build upon the diplomatic work that Donald Trump, the former president, started last year.

This would aim to reach a comprehensive political settlement between the Taliban and the Kabul-based government before withdrawal.

Mr Blinken indicated to CNN that the Biden administration is trying to do just that.

“It was also very important to try to accelerate the diplomacy, because ultimately everyone recognises that there is no military solution to Afghanistan,” he said.

“There has to be some kind of political settlement, and it has to be a settlement reached by the Afghans themselves.”

The Biden administration has retained Zalmay Khalilzad, who Mr Trump appointed, as the special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation.

Mr Khalilzad departed for Turkey on Thursday to resume negotiations.

"Ambassador Khalilzad will build on recent efforts by regional and international partners to encourage two Afghan parties to accelerate their negotiations to end the conflict," the State Department said.

“He will engage the two sides on their preparatory efforts for talks on a political settlement that produces a permanent ceasefire and a durable and just peace.

“He will also meet with stakeholders to discuss how the region and international community can facilitate talks between the sides.”

SPECS
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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THE SPECS

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Book%20Details
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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

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Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

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Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5