Afghanistan
China is quietly using Afghanistan to strengthen its authoritarian agenda
By David Curry — September 14, 2021
(Open Doors) — We are being given a rare glimpse of the immeasurable human cost incurred when authoritarianism is allowed to spread unimpeded.
Taliban: Women can study in gender-segregated universities
By Kathy Gannon — September 13, 2021
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory, the Taliban government's new higher education minister said Sunday.
The painting behind Taliban fighters in Kabul presidential palace is worth a thousand words
By Menachem Wecker — September 9, 2021
(RNS) — The scene depicted in the enormous painting represents something of a mixed symbolic bag for the Taliban foot soldiers posed before it.
Afghanistan’s last Jew leaves after Taliban takeover
By Joseph Krauss and Muhammad Farooq — September 9, 2021
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Zebulon Simentov joined an exodus of tens of thousands of Afghans who have fled since the Taliban swept across the country last month
Safe in the US, Afghan evacuees turn their attention to the families they left behind
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 7, 2021
(RNS) — Faith-based refugee resettlement agencies are helping people like Mustafa and their families to settle into their new homes in the US and advocating for those left behind.
20 years of ‘forever’ wars have left a toll on US veterans returning to the question: ‘Did you kill?’
By Marian Eide — September 2, 2021
(The Conversation) — The act of killing in combat is associated with heightened risks of PTSD and suicide. A scholar interviewed 30 veterans about their common experiences.
Helping our Afghan neighbors is our only option
By Chris Palusky — September 1, 2021
(RNS) — We may think we are powerless in global crises. Far from it.
Amid resignation rumors, Pope Francis says, ‘It didn’t even cross my mind’
By Claire Giangravé — September 1, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a wide-ranging interview, the pontiff discussed Afghanistan, China and reform of the church, while dismissing rumors that he would be the second pope in eight years to resign.
A post-Afghanistan foreign policy means more diplomacy, less corruption
By Thomas Reese — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — It is time for a foreign policy that favors diplomacy rather than guns.
New book ‘God’s Diplomats’ unveils the secret history of Vatican diplomacy
By Claire Giangravé — August 30, 2021
(RNS) — A new book on the history of the Vatican's international relations shows how Pope Francis is only following in his predecessors' footsteps in standing up to the United States.
14 disabled children flee Afghanistan with the help of Catholic priest and nuns
By Claire Giangravé — August 27, 2021
(RNS) — A Catholic priest, four nuns and 14 disabled children were able to flee Afghanistan as chaos takes hold of the country.
Don’t confuse military action with the mission of God
By Ed Stetzer — August 27, 2021
(RNS) — It was deeply jarring for me and other Christians to hear Isaiah 6:8 used by President Biden in his recent address.
Most Americans favor welcoming immigrants. Why don’t Christians?
By Doug Pagitt — August 27, 2021
(RNS) — Our faith demands generous compassion for those in need — that we care for our neighbors as we care for ourselves.
Who is ISIS-K, the group officials blame for the Kabul airport bombings?
By Jack Jenkins — August 26, 2021
(RNS) — Initial reports are blaming the group for the twin bombings at the Kabul airport after US officials have for days warned of a potential attack by the group, which actively clashes with the Taliban.
Taliban’s religious ideology – Deobandi Islam – has roots in colonial India
By Sumit Ganguly and Sohel Rana — August 26, 2021
(The Conversation) — Deobandi Islam, the religious school that the Taliban draw their ideology from, was set up in 19th century India to educate Muslim youth.
