The US House of Representatives passed a bill 316-113 on Thursday that would create an independent, bipartisan commission to examine the lessons learnt from two decades of war in Afghanistan.
The provision, introduced by Republican Liz Cheney, is part of the annual defence authorisation bill. It would authorise $5 million to create a 12-member commission equally divided between Republicans and Democrats who would need to deliver a final report by the end of next year.
“It requires an analysis, both of the tactical and strategic conduct of the war and of the lessons learnt,” Ms Cheney said upon introducing the provision this month.
“We have very different and strongly held views about the war, about what went right and what went wrong. But the nation deserves a transparent look at what happened and the lessons that we need to learn going forward.”
The final report requires an assessment of the intelligence and information that Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W Bush used to make their decisions on Afghanistan during their presidencies.
The commission would be charged with scrutinising Mr Bush’s initial invasion, Mr Obama’s troop surge and subsequent drawdown, Mr Trump’s negotiations with the Taliban and Mr Biden’s execution of the military withdrawal.
The commission would also examine the period of Taliban rule between 1996 and 2001.
It singles out Mr Obama’s reduction of troops in 2011 and Mr Biden’s full military withdrawal as items that the commission would need to address in its final report, which is due in August of next year. The commission would also have to provide an interim briefing to Congress by March.
Congress had previously commissioned an Afghanistan Study Group, which released a series of recommendations in February.
But Mr Biden ignored the study group's suggestions, which cautioned against a US withdrawal without placing enforceable conditions on the Taliban and a peace agreement between the group and Ashraf Ghani’s government.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley and US Central Command chief Gen Kenneth McKenzie are scheduled to testify on Afghanistan before the Senate next week.
The Senate has yet to vote on its version of the defence authorisation bill, but Ms Cheney’s provision to create an Afghanistan commission is likely to become law given the overwhelming bipartisan support it has received.
The House’s defence authorisation bill also includes a series of other reporting and briefing requirements on Afghanistan that the Biden administration would have to honour.
The House bill also contains several provisions related to Saudi Arabia.
One measure, introduced by Democrat Gerry Connolly, would bar the US from transferring military equipment to Saudi Arabia unless the president certifies the kingdom is not conducting the “forced repatriation, intimidation or killing of dissidents in other countries” or “the unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of United States citizens.”
But the bill allows the president to issue a national security waiver on arms transfers to Riyadh and contains an exemption for equipment used in “the defence of the territory of Saudi Arabia from external threat".
Democrats Gregory Meeks, Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also introduced other provisions to the bill concerning Saudi arms transfers.
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
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Company%20profile
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
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Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
