Via State/OIG:
Related post:
State/OIG Releases Long-Awaited Report on @StateDept Handling of Sexual Harassment Reports
On June 24, 2020, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. personnel and family members from the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia, which is comprised of the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran, due to current conditions in Saudi Arabia associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, read the NYT article by @charlie_savage, @EricSchmittNYT, and @mschwirtz, with details about the reported Russian military intel unit behind this, the high-level USG discussions about responses, and the White House not authorizing any of them.
— David Priess (@DavidPriess) June 28, 2020
The administration’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, preferred confronting the Russians directly about the matter, while some National Security Council officials in charge of Russia were more dismissive of taking immediate action. https://t.co/VAFIn0Fn5m
— Adam Goldman (@adamgoldmanNYT) June 29, 2020
British security officials have confirmed to Sky News that the reports about the plot are true. https://t.co/5uVt7xYEBE @AliBunkallSKY
— Adam Goldman (@adamgoldmanNYT) June 29, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. spies and commandos warned months ago of Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Trump has yet to act against Russia w/@adamgoldmanNYT https://t.co/ViaHF1lhlC
— Eric Schmitt (@EricSchmittNYT) June 28, 2020
“While some of his closest advisers, like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have counseled more hawkish policies toward Russia, Mr. Trump has adopted an accommodating stance toward Moscow” https://t.co/KzxzaQKNfU
— Patrick Tucker (@DefTechPat) June 27, 2020
The U.S. State Department says COVID-19 infections have been reported at its embassy in the Afghan capital and the staff who are affected include diplomats, contractors and locally employed staff. https://t.co/e4w6CLBqa3
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) June 20, 2020
COVID-19 infections have been reported at the US embassy in #Kabul, the State Dept says, including diplomats, contractors and locals. An official inside, speaking anonymously, said up to 20 people were infected–the majority of them Nepalese Gurkha guards, said AP. pic.twitter.com/uTBWuk1fVT
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) June 21, 2020
The US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an #ANDSF checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack. This was our 1st strike against the Taliban in 11 days.
— USFOR-A Spokesman Col Sonny Leggett (@USFOR_A) March 4, 2020
Taliban have carried out 76 attacks across 24 provinces since the RiV ended and US-Taliban signed deal, according Afghan ONSC.
The deadliest attack killed at least 15 Afghan soldiers on outskirts of Kunduz city – hours aft Trump said he and "the Mullah" talked about "no violence"— Mujib Mashal (@MujMash) March 4, 2020
#UPDATE A deadly blast shattered a period of relative calm in Afghanistan on Monday, as the #Taliban told fighters to resume operations against Afghan security forces — just days after signing a deal with Washington aimed at ushering in a new era of peace https://t.co/34sazMoX3Z pic.twitter.com/6HBz0uMQuN
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 2, 2020
Taliban rule out taking part in Afghan talks until prisoners freed https://t.co/hUY3Yj9wYW pic.twitter.com/4tU0KFdO8P
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 2, 2020
The US-Taliban agreement, which sets into motion the potential of a full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners.
“We have not made a commitment,” Afghan President says. “It’s a sovereign Afghan decision.”https://t.co/ZWesNPQvww pic.twitter.com/P6rdO5Ks5l— CNN (@CNN) March 1, 2020
Met with @Coalition partners following the signing of our agreement with the Taliban, which brings us all closer to our goal of peace in #Afghanistan. Look forward to our continued close cooperation to protect our shared security and as we consider any adjustments to U.S. forces. pic.twitter.com/XwIrGWTHHq
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 1, 2020
We got a copy of the only known photo of Sec Pompeo shaking hands w top #Taliban negotiator Stanekzai — here it is #Doha. US told #Qatar to keep him away from insurgents to avoid photo ops pic.twitter.com/JGPutlMEox
— Jessica Donati (@jessdonati) March 3, 2020
A remarkable picture from Qatar as Mike Pompeo shakes hands with the Taliban’s negotiator Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai. More importantly, also seen in the picture is Shah Mahmood Qureshi. pic.twitter.com/DjbA3dMgsH
— Kautilya (@AmatyaKautilya) March 4, 2020
Here’s the 4 page text of the US/Taliban deal signed in Doha. Trump has described it as “a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home.” pic.twitter.com/gmFetTYIZb
— Michele Kelemen (@michelekelemen) February 29, 2020
The U.S. "went from seeking to annihilate the Taliban, to meeting with them furtively, to negotiating with them openly, before, finally, signing a deal with them. And at each juncture, the expectations dropped." — @kgilsinan https://t.co/uqhdfnR43G
— Prashant Rao (@prashantrao) February 29, 2020
1/3 It is time for Holly and I to leave #Afghanistan. We will cherish our memories of the Eid holiday in 2018 when peace fell over the whole country and Afghans saw it was possible for both sides to stop the violence.
— Ambassador / Chargé d’Affaires (@USAmbKabul) January 6, 2020
Had a farewell meeting with ambassador John Bass @USAmbKabul. He served US-AFG partnership with utmost diligence & distinction. I thanked him for his hard work & efforts to help strengthen our relations. We will sorely miss him, but wish him every success in his future endeavors. pic.twitter.com/dyBBR0BfHb
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) December 31, 2019
(1/2) President @AshrafGhani conferred the state medal of Ghazi Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan upon @USAmbKabul John Bass in recognition of his services today evening in a farewell meeting at the Presidential Palace. pic.twitter.com/PGr5nK3KRF
— ارگ (@ARG_AFG) December 30, 2019
Ross Wilson to step in as John Bass,US Envoy to #Afghanistan, Steps out on Cusp of New Peace Deal.Bravo to Wilson,who is outstanding,but why is @StateDept turning to retired FSO for a crucial post at a crucial time – is the active duty bench that shallow? https://t.co/GmhVl7TRtJ
— Laura Kennedy (@AmbKennedy_ret) January 6, 2020
In recent weeks, Taliban officials and American diplomats had neared announcing some form of a cease-fire across Afghanistan, albeit a brief one. Details of the plan were denied by Taliban officials, and it remains unclear what derailed the announcement. https://t.co/c6l33KSE1E
— NYT At War (@NYTimesAtWar) January 7, 2020
“#US ambassador leaves #Kabul, his 2-year #Afghanistan tenure ends” https://t.co/BJSCMtqKxf
— Matt Lee (@APDiploWriter) January 6, 2020
"The purpose of FOIA is to open up federal agencies to public scrutiny. But officials determined to thwart the spirit of the law can drag out requests for years, hoping requesters will eventually give up." https://t.co/rlCX9XWcbY
— Marty Baron (@PostBaron) December 10, 2019
As part of an ongoing, three-year legal battle, The Post has obtained notes, transcripts and audio recordings from more than 400 government interviews and compiled them into a comprehensive database.
You can view them here: https://t.co/r16ZqEpixG pic.twitter.com/XXVOAYkX0o
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 9, 2019
In interviews, generals, ambassadors, diplomats and insiders offered firsthand accounts of the mistakes that have prolonged the war.
The full, unsparing remarks and the identities of many who made them had never been made public — until now. https://t.co/r16ZqEpixG
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 9, 2019
Day 3 of the Afghanistan Papers:
“A dark pit of endless money for anything with no accountability.” https://t.co/lZQjPJvvFn— Craig Whitlock (@CraigMWhitlock) December 11, 2019
NEW: Day 4 of the Afghanistan Papers. Bags of cash from the CIA, giggling warlords and a 'corrupt as hell' president – How the United States turned Afghanistan into one of the most corrupt nations on earth. https://t.co/s8RSLE981B
— Craig Whitlock (@CraigMWhitlock) December 12, 2019
John Sopko, the head of the federal agency that conducted the interviews, acknowledged to The Post that the documents show “the American people have constantly been lied to.”https://t.co/EEJ4fTDfaP
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) December 9, 2019
All Americans are to blame for the failed Afghanistan war https://t.co/t1Lr4MMhK5 via @elliotackerman
— TIMEPolitics (@TIMEPolitics) December 11, 2019
Abuse doesn't always leave physical scars.
During the #16Days of activism, we can all do something to end violence against women and girls. https://t.co/rWvDai8GW9 pic.twitter.com/iROsTWTyFu
— United Nations (@UN) December 8, 2019
On #HumanRightsDay, Assistant Chief of Mission Donna Welton honored @Jamila_Afghani and Naaema Baloch for their exceptional efforts in the fight for #HumanRights in #Afghanistan. #EndGBV #OrangeTheWorld #HerAfghanistan pic.twitter.com/rTBg07OXBS
— U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul) December 10, 2019
Women at Risk International Foundation in partnership with U.S. Consulate Lagos organized a 3 km walk on December 7 to mark the #16days of activism against gender-based violence. The walk created awareness about the importance of ending sexual violence against women. pic.twitter.com/LGQdtarX7M
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USEmbassyAbuja) December 9, 2019
Sometimes #diplomacy gets a little rough. What happens when our diplomats take the #rugby field?
Fortunately, we’ve teamed up with @USARugby to tackle Gender-based VIolence together.
Share this message to #TakeAStand against #GBV and let’s #TackleItTogether. pic.twitter.com/IdGvAZtPFi
— US ConsulateCapeTown (@USConsulateCT) December 13, 2019
Members of the U.S. Embassy recently met with the "Women and Media Alliance" at the Islamabad Press Club to discuss reporting on Gender-Based Violence and how women in the #media are portrayed. #USPAK #USinPAK #USEmbassyISB #Journalism #16Days #16DaysofActivism pic.twitter.com/FP19vChIBW
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 14, 2019
We are marking the 16 days of activism against GBV. Our alumni conducted an interactive session on gender issues at the GCGC Peshawar. Dr. Tariq Saeed, Deputy Director Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spoke to the students on the occasion. #16Days #ENDGBV pic.twitter.com/eAM3yEngFs
— US ConsulatePeshawar (@USCGPeshawar) December 7, 2019
"Violence affects millions of women from all socio-economic backgrounds worldwide. It cuts across barriers and restricts their right fully participate in society." @voiscyprus's committee on gender issues supports victims of any form of abuse: "Speak up, we will hear you" #16Days pic.twitter.com/mXLmAXDyXy
— U.S. Embassy Cyprus (@USEmbassyCyprus) December 10, 2019
The US Embassy Cairo's consular section pledges to #orangetheworld for ending gender-based violence. #orangetheworld in #16Days pic.twitter.com/IBQcJla2ZG
— US Embassy Cairo (@USEmbassyCairo) November 25, 2019
It’s fitting to end our #16DaysOfActivism on #InternationalHumanRightsDay. #GBV is one of the most devastating human rights violations. It is largely unreported due to the stigma, silence & shame surrounding it. #EndGBV #OrangeTheWorld. Watch 📹https://t.co/LsW3i7HQ9j pic.twitter.com/746qhAgrdi
— US Embassy Botswana (@USEmbassyBW) December 10, 2019
National Procurement Authority, NPA, in #Afghanistan was founded by Ghani soon after he became president. He personally has been leading/chairing it since then.
And now the US says lack of transparency in NPA is a “great cause for concern.”https://t.co/dwp0cTyiRo
— Sharif Hassan (@MSharif1990) September 20, 2019
Hearing reports the National Procurement Authority won’t authorize fuel purchases for the power plant providing the only electricity in Kabul – even while the U.S. & @ResoluteSupport help #Afghan security forces enable repairs to power transmission lines. Could this be true?
— John R. Bass (@USAmbKabul) September 18, 2019
The State Department cut $100 million in aid for Afghanistan on Thursday, a week before Afghanistan holds national elections, and in the wake of failed peace talks with the Taliban https://t.co/e08MPaIQdY pic.twitter.com/QYrc67TXbo
— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) September 20, 2019