Af/Pak & Other News (8/20/2021)

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The Complicated Logistics Behind the Kabul Airport Evacuation, Explained

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a37319578/kabul-airport-evacuation-logistics/



Packed C-17 Cargo Jet Out Of Kabul Actually Had 823 People Onboard Setting New Record

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42079/packed-c-17-cargo-jet-out-of-kabul-actually-had-823-people-onboard-setting-new-record



A detailed analysis of the ongoing Kabul evacuation: the aircraft involved, those that have been abandoned and the US Navy F/A-18E/Fs flying top cover (via Pakistan)

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/a-detailed-analysis-of-the-ongoing-kabul-evacuation-the-aircraft-involved-those-that-have-abandoned-and-the-us-navy-f-a-18e-fs-flying-top-cover-via-pakistan/



Former Navy SEAL explains how civilians are evacuated from places like Afghanistan

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/former-navy-seal-explains-how-civilians-are-evacuated-from-places-like-afghanistan/



The chaos at Kabul’s airport from the point of view of an American soldier

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-kabul-airport-chaos-afghanistan/



Night Stalker Special Ops Helicopters Now In Kabul Could Be Critical To Evacuation

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42075/night-stalker-special-ops-helicopters-now-in-kabul-could-be-critical-to-evacuation



Biden administration won’t launch Afghanistan airstrikes during evacuations, official tells Fox News

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-administration-wont-launch-afghanistan-airstrikes-during-evacuations



At Kabul Airport, 2,000 Marines Provide Security and Process Evacuees

https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/08/kabul-airport-2000-marines-are-providing-security-and-processing-evacuees/184702/



European forces cross Taliban lines for Kabul rescue, pressuring Biden to expand evacuation

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/20/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-live-updates/



Want Uncle Sam To Get You Out Of Kabul? It Could Cost You Thousands Of Dollars… Or Maybe Not?

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42073/want-uncle-sam-to-get-you-out-of-kabul-it-will-cost-you-thousands-of-dollars



18,000 airlifted from Kabul chaos; tens of thousands desperate to follow

https://www.timesofisrael.com/over-18000-airlifted-from-kabul-as-us-efforts-struggle-with-taliban-chaos/



Tear gas, guns used as crowd control at Kabul airport

https://theweek.com/world/1003964/tear-gas-guns-used-as-crowd-control-at-kabul-airport



More Seats Than Passengers: Paperwork, Taliban Slow Afghanistan Evacuation

https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/08/more-seats-passengers-paperwork-taliban-slow-afghanistan-evacuation/184689/



Facing backlash over chaos, foreign powers try to speed Afghanistan exodus

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nato-pledges-speed-evacuations-afghanistan-criticism-mounts-2021-08-20/



Hunted by the Taliban, U.S.-Allied Afghan Forces Are in Hiding

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/world/asia/taliban-afghanistan-usa.html



Afghans in danger ‘have no clear way out’, says UN amid fears of Taliban reprisals

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210820-live-taliban-conducting-targeted-door-to-door-visits-warns-un-report



As Taliban search phones, experts fear security features aren't enough to keep Afghans safe

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/as-taliban-search-phones-experts-fear-security-features-aren-t-enough-to-keep-afghans-safe/ar-AANxXh8



Why Was the Administration So Slow to Evacuate US Allies in Afghanistan?

https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/08/why-was-administration-so-slow-evacuate-us-allies-afghanistan/184701/



Afghan troops sought safety in numbers – igniting a cascade of surrender

https://theconversation.com/afghan-troops-sought-safety-in-numbers-igniting-a-cascade-of-surrender-166384



The Taliban Has Captured a Hoard of American-Made Weapons. Now What?

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a37329871/taliban-capture-american-made-weapons/



U.S.-made weapons seized by Taliban could lead to regional arms bazaar

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/19/us-weapons-seized-taliban-506313



Two Talibans Are Competing for Afghanistan

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/18/taliban-leaders-fighters-competing-for-afghanistan/



Afghanistan’s Opium Business Boomed Under US Occupation

https://www.vice.com/en/article/4av8pg/afghanistans-opium-business-boomed-under-us-occupation



Taliban Kill Journalist’s Relative In Intensifying ‘Door-To-Door’ Hunt For Media And ‘Collaborators’ With Previous Afghan Government Or U.S., NATO Forces

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/08/20/taliban-kill-journalists-relative-in-intensifying-door-to-door-hunt-for-media-and-collaborators-with-previous-afghan-government-or-us-nato-forces/



Afghanistan reports of torture and killing contradict Taliban’s promises

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/20/afghanistan-reports-of-torture-and-killing-contradict-taliban-promises



Afghanistan’s Collapse Shifts Strategic Dynamics in South Asia

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/08/20/afghanistans_collapse_shifts_strategic_dynamics_in_south_asia_790785.html



Internal State Department Cable Warned of Kabul Collapse

https://www.wsj.com/articles/confidential-state-department-cable-in-july-warned-of-afghanistans-collapse-11629406993



Decoding intelligence on Afghanistan

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/08/20/decoding_intelligence_on_afghanistan_790784.html



With Afghan Collapse, Moscow Takes Charge in Central Asia

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/world/asia/afghanistan-russia.html



Navy Fighters Are Flying Armed Overwatch Missions Over Kabul

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42065/navy-fighters-are-flying-armed-overwatch-missions-over-kabul



Taliban took Afghanistan but face cash squeeze

https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-afghanistan-taliban-69108292b8c543403064b0fc6eda02ef



5 Things the U.S. Military Got Right In Afghanistan

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/08/5-things-the-u-s-military-got-right-in-afghanistan/



With Taliban talks, former Afghan leader Karzai makes a comeback

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210820-with-taliban-talks-former-afghan-leader-karzai-makes-a-comeback



Resistance forces recapture three districts in Baghlan from Taliban

https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2021/08/15/afghanistan-live-updates-taliban-kabul/



Former CIA officer blames Pakistan for swift collapse of Afghanistan by Taliban

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/former-cia-officer-blames-pakistan-for-swift-collapse-of-afghanistan-by-taliban/articleshow/85488393.cms



What’s 50 Times More Dangerous Than Afghanistan?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-withdrawal-afghanistan-pakistan-nuclear-lashkar-e-taiba-tehreek-e-taliban-islamist-11629402468



The real failure is Pakistan

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-real-failure-is-pakistan/



Two types of terror threat will emerge in wake of Afghanistan fall, says former head of MI5

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/two-types-of-terror-threat-will-emerge-in-wake-of-afghanistan-fall-says-former-head-of-mi5/ar-AANwNLO



Watching the Fall of Kabul: A GWOT Veteran’s Perspective

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/august/watching-fall-kabul-gwot-veterans-perspective









Future of Afghan Cadets in India Uncertain

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/08/18/future-of-afghan-cadets-in-india-uncertain/



India: Satellite Photos INS Arihant, Arighat & Chakra 2 in Port

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/08/satellite-photos-ins-arihant-arighat.html









Iran spent years preparing for a Taliban victory. It may still get stung.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/iran-spent-years-preparing-for-a-taliban-victory-it-may-still-get-stung/



Iran’s Huge Caspian Gas Find Is A Geopolitical Gamechanger

https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/International/Irans-Huge-Caspian-Gas-Find-Is-A-Geopolitical-Gamechanger.html









After Afghanistan Collapse, Iraqis Fear They Could Be Next

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/19/afghanistan-withdrawal-iraq-iran-militias-kurdistan-peshmerga/









Turkish shipyard sails into unveiling 1st unmanned anti-submarine warfare boat

https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkish-shipyard-sails-into-unveiling-1st-unmanned-anti-submarine-warfare-boat



The NAZAR Laser Electronic Warfare System Unveiled at IDEF-21 For the First Time

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/08/20/the-nazar-laser-electronic-warfare-system-unveiled-at-idef-21-for-the-first-time/



Roketsan displays Orka Lightweight Torpedo

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/august/10578-idef-2021-roketsan-displays-orka-lightweight-torpedo.html









4 pro-Iran fighters said killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Syria

https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-pro-iran-fighters-said-killed-in-alleged-israeli-strikes-on-syria/









Nigeria: Taliban Victory Defeats Boko Haram

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/nigeria/articles/20210820.aspx




More than 120 dead confirmed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack

https://warisboring.com/more-than-120-dead-confirmed-in-burkina-faso-terrorist-attack/









Ukraine Soldiers Heard Chanting 'Putin Is a D***head' As They March in Video

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-soldiers-heard-chanting-anti-putin-remarks-march-telegram-video-1621417



Russian Helicopters to Display BAS-200 Drone at Army 2021 Show

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30270/Russian_Helicopters_to_Display_BAS_200_Drone_at_Army_2021_Show#.YR_BPN9lBaQ



Russian Military to Use T-14 Armata Tanks to ‘Fine-Tune’ War Tactics

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/08/20/russia-t14-armata-war-tactics/



Russia: A Tradition Of Whatever Works

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20210820.aspx





UK sanctions 7 Russian intelligence agents over Navalny poisoning

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-sanctions-seven-russian-intelligence-agents-over-navalny-poisoning-2021-08-20/









Why Is China Building 250 Nuclear Missiles That Can Hit America?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/08/why-is-china-building-a-250-nuclear-missiles-that-can-hit-america/



China’s military nuclear orders rise fourfold in push to catch up with US

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3145851/chinas-military-nuclear-orders-rise-fourfold-push-catch-us



Biden’s Nightmare: Is China Really Plotting to Conquer Taiwan?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/08/bidens-nightmare-is-china-really-plotting-to-conquer-taiwan/





Two South Korean Shipbuilders Team Up to Develop Light Aircraft Carrier

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/08/20/korean-shipbuilders-light-aircraft-carrier/



Cheongung II cleared for mass production

http://alert5.com/2021/08/19/cheongung-ii-cleared-for-mass-production/





Japan unlikely to fund Aegis Ashore alternative proposal over the next few years

http://alert5.com/2021/08/20/japan-unlikely-to-fund-aegis-ashore-alternative-proposal-over-the-next-few-years/



Japan Announces Plans To Bring Back Soil Samples From Mars Moon By 2029

https://www.forbes.com/video/6268657001001/japan-announces-plans-to-bring-back-soil-samples-from-mars-moon-by-2029/










I Want to Believe: Growing Number Think Some UFOs Are Alien Spacecraft

https://www.newsweek.com/ufo-alien-spacecraft-poll-1621383



Here Is What You Need to Know About UFOs According to the AIAA Aviation Conference

https://thedebrief.org/here-is-what-you-need-to-know-about-ufos-according-to-the-aiaa-aviation-conference/



Radio Transmissions From Police Helicopter's Chase Of Bizarre Craft Over Tucson Add To Mystery

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42021/radio-transmissions-from-police-helicopters-chase-of-bizarre-craft-over-tucson-add-to-mystery



Podcast: Inside A New Skunk Works Factory

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/podcast-inside-new-skunk-works-factory



NDIA Policy Points: AI, Commercial Firms Key to Future of GEOINT

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/8/20/ai-commercial-firms-key-to-future-of-geoint



America’s Military Bases Are Slowly Falling Apart

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/08/americas-military-bases-are-slowly-falling-apart/



Aerospace & Defense Roundup: August 19

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/z/aerospace-defense-roundup-august-19



The Space Force met its 18-month deadline to get up and running. Here’s what’s next.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/08/19/the-space-force-met-its-18-month-deadline-to-get-up-and-running-heres-whats-next/



US Army inks deal for advanced NGLD-M development

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-army-inks-deal-for-advanced-ngld-m-development



New secretary of the Navy lays out the 'four Cs' as challenges

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/08/19/navy-Carlos-Del-Toro-challenges-COVID-China/4091629385385/



Multi-intelligence version of the MQ-4C drone flies for first time

https://newatlas.com/military/multi-intelligence-version-the-mq-4c-drone-maiden-flight/



Navy taps MZA Associates to develop portable laser weapons for counter-UAV operations on land and sea

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/unmanned/article/14208949/laser-weapons-counteruav-portable