Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 5 October 2016 (nCa) --- The situation in Afghanistan bring us back to the case of Bilal Sheikh and how the manufactured dependence can dictate the flow and direction of nearly every given scenario out there. This is where we climb out of the box. Billions of dollars, actually close to a trillion dollars, have been poured into Afghanistan. What … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part Two
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 3 October 2016 (nCa) --- The story of Bilal Sheikh is crucial to this narrative about Afghanistan because from it I will extract several elements that go into the making of a deranged mind, though this frame of mind manifests itself in so many different ways. Somewhere it is ISIS and Boko Haram. And, somewhere it is Donald Trump and the extreme right … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part One
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 28 September 2016 (nCa) --- When the decisions are made by the outsiders intoxicated by power and blinded by arrogance, we get Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya – and the list promises to keep growing. We can be insiders to just one culture, that of our own. That is what these dumbos, thick on muscle, wafer-thin on brains, will never understand. They … [Read more...]
Istanbul Process working group meets in Ashgabat
Ashgabat, 6 Sep—The Regional Technical Group on ‘Regional Infrastructures’ of Confidence Building Measures (RI-CBM) Istanbul Process met Tuesday in Ashgabat. The meeting was hosted by the foreign office of Turkmenistan and co-hosted by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. Under the broad initiative called Istanbul Process, where Afghan-owned, Afghan-led route to peace and stability … [Read more...]
Situation normal at Turkmen-Afghan border: Indian envoy
Ashgabat, 29 August 2016 (nCa) --- “The situation is normal at the Turkmen-Afghan border,” said Dr. T V Nagendra Prasad, the ambassador of India in Turkmenistan. He was part of a small group of diplomat who visited the Turkmen-Afghan border recently in a trip organized by the foreign office of Turkmenistan. They visited two border towns: Serhetabat (formerly Kushka) and … [Read more...]
Hospital built by Turkmenistan in Afghanistan to serve people in 100-km radius
Ashgabat, 9 June 2016 (nCa) --- A maternity centre built by Turkmenistan in Afghanistan is strategically located to serve the people in a 100-km radius. The hospital opened Sunday (5 June 2016) is situated in Torgondi, an Afghan town bordering Turkmenistan and a busy trade centre. It had, however, no facility for the pre- and post-natal care and delivery of children. People … [Read more...]
Построенный Туркменистаном Госпиталь в Афганистане будет обслуживать население в радиусе 100 км
Ашхабад, 9 июня 2016 (nCa) --- Родильный центр, построенный Туркменистаном в Афганистане имеет стратегическое расположение и рассчитан на обслуживание населения в радиусе 100 километров. Госпиталь был открыт в воскресенье (5 июня) в городе Тургунди, расположенном на границе с Туркменистаном и являющимся крупным торговым центром. Ранее, в этом городе не было кабинетов … [Read more...]
Deputy FM of Afghanistan comments on TAPI security, engagement with Taliban, new steps to strengthen Turkmen-Afghan partnership
nCa Report Ashgabat, 3 June 2016 (nCa) --- Hekmat Karzai, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Afghanistan, together with his Turkmen counterpart, Vepa Hajiev, addressed a press conference Thursday in Ashgabat. He commented on a wide range of issues including the security of TAPI, the engagement with the Taliban and the new steps being taken to strengthen partnership … [Read more...]
Заместитель министра иностранных дел Афганистана комментирует ситуации в области безопасности по проекту ТАПИ, вовлеченность талибов и шаги по укреплению туркмено-афганского партнерства
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 3 июня 2016 (nCa) --- Хекмат Карзай, заместитель министра иностранных дел Афганистана, вместе со своим туркменским коллегой Вепа Хаджиевым выступил на пресс-конференции в четверг в Ашхабаде. Он прокомментировал широкий круг вопросов, включая безопасность ТАПИ, взаимодействие с талибами и меры, предпринимаемые в целях укрепления партнерских отношений … [Read more...]
Assassination of Mulla Mansour: Circumstances, Reasons, Implications
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 31 June 2016 (nCa) --- It is surprising – or, perhaps it is not surprising – that except for some stringers for provincial newspapers hardly any journalist has bothered to visit Ahmedwal, the sizeable village along the RCD Highway in Balochistan where Mulla Mansour was assassinated recently. Circumstances I have some contacts in Ahmedwal, dating back … [Read more...]
Убийство Мулла Мансура: Обстоятельства, причины, последствия
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 31 мая 2016 (nCa) --- Удивительно, - или, может быть, не удивительно – но за исключением нескольких внештатных корреспондентов провинциальных газет, мало кто из журналистов удосужился посетить густонаселенную деревню Ахмедвал, расположенную вдоль шоссе в Белуджистане, где недавно был убит Мулла Мансур. Обстоятельства У меня сохранились некоторые контакты … [Read more...]
ملا منصور کو ہلاک کرنے کا دعوی
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف پاکستان Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk امریکہ نے دعوی کیا ہے کہ ملا منصور کو ڈرون حملے میں ہلاک کر دیا گیاہے۔ ہوسکتا ہے یہ درست ہو لیکن زمینی حقائق کی بنیاد پر بات کچھ اور ہی معلوم ہوتی ہے۔ یہ غلط ہے کہ امریکہ نے حملے سے پہلے پاکستان کے وزیراعظم اور آرمی چیف کو اطلاع دی تھی۔ پاکستان پرجھوٹا بہتان لگا کر امریکہ نے پاکستان کو … [Read more...]
Finally, an honest statement from Afghanistan
Finally, an honest statement from Afghanistan Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 27 April 2016 (nCa) --- President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan addressed Monday (25 April 2016) a joint session of both houses of the parliament. His speech was an honest statement, serving more than its intended purpose. Even though every sentence of his speech was loaded with anger toward Pakistan, the … [Read more...]
И, наконец, честное заявление от Афганистана
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 27 апреля 2016 (nCa) --- Президент Афганистана Ашраф Гани выступил в понедельник (25 апреля 2016 г.) на совместном заседании обеих палат парламента. Его выступление стало честным заявлением, адресованным по прямому назначению. Несмотря на то, xnj каждое предложение из его речи было перегружено гневом по отношению к Пакистану, настоящие намеки были … [Read more...]
“Good Taliban” Sajna Group Blows-Up Army Centerpiece School In Tiarza Right After Gen. Abbasi Visit
Peter Chamberlin Two weeks after the latest Pentagon/CIA assault upon a tribal jirga, and attempt to kill Sajna Mehsud, his group blows-up a highly symbolic, Pak Army-built girls school in S. Waziristan. Why would one of Pakistan’s “good Taliban” stage such an assault upon progress in his own area, especially just one month after the Tiarza Roadopening, after it had been … [Read more...]
Islamabad Heart of Asia Conference
General Mirza Aslam Beg Ex. Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk A few months back, Dr. Ikram Azam, reminded me of the book “Pakistan – The Heart of Asia”, by late Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. The author gave his vision of Pakistan of the future, its geo-strategic importance and the linkages it could create with immediate neighbors and … [Read more...]
اسلام آباد ہارٹ آف ایشیاء کانفرنس
اسلام آباد ہارٹ آف ایشیاء کانفرنس جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف’ پاکستان Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk چند ماہ قبل ڈاکٹر اکرام اعظم صاحب نے مجھے مرحوم وزیراعظم پاکستان لیاقت علی خان کی کتاب “Pakistan – The Heart of Asia” یاددلائی’ جس میں مصنف نے خطے میں ہمہ گیراور پر امن بقائے باہمی کے حوالے سےمستقبل میں پاکستان کی جغرافیائی و تذویراتی اہمیت اور قریبی … [Read more...]
عالمی امن کیلئےصدرپیوٹن کی نئی حکمت عملی
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف’ پاکستان Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk شام میں روس کی عسکری مداخلت ایک سوچا سمجھا فیصلہ ہے جو کئی سالوں کی منصوبہ بندی کا نتیجہ ہے۔اس اقدام سے پہلےپیوٹن نے اندرونی مسائل کو حل کیا؛ مسلح افواج کی کارکردگی کو بہتر بنایا اورقریبی پڑوسی ممالک(Near Abroad) کی سلامتی یقینی بنانے کیلئے افغانستان سے دہشت گردی کے خاتمے کا فیصلہ کیا … [Read more...]
Putins Initiative for Global Peace
General Mirza Aslam Beg Former COAS, Pakistan Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk Russian military intervention in Syria is a deliberate act, based on years of planning. Putin solved domestic problems; re-juvinated the armed forces; ensured security of the “Near abroad” and reached out to Afghanistan to eliminate the terror threat. The primary objective was, to … [Read more...]
Kerry Go Round
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 4 November 2015 (nCa) --- It was a few days of Kerry Go Round, with Ignorance Made in USA stamped all over it. The lack of focus and substance left the region scratching its head in wonderment. The visit of John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, to Central Asia was built around the exotically named C5+1 format. The meeting of Kerry with the regional … [Read more...]
Астана выразила обеспокоенность по поводу ситуации на туркмено-афганской границе – Ашхабад протестует
Новости и комментарий nCa Ашхабад, 16 октября 2015 (nCa) --- Президент Казахстана Нурсултан Назарбаев в конце переговоров с Президентом России Владимиром Путиным, состоявшихся в четверг в Астане, выразил обеспокоенность по поводу ситуации с безопасностью на границе Туркменистана с Афганистаном. Туркменистан, не теряя времени, опроверг данное заявление и выпустил … [Read more...]
Exclusive interview with General Mirza Aslam Beg
Ashgabat, 13 October 2015 (nCa) --- Here is an exclusive interview with General Mirza Aslam Beg (Retired), who was the chief of the army staff of Pakistan from 1988 to 1991. He is recognized worldwide as an authority on Afghanistan. nCa: Do the Taliban have any ambitions beyond the borders of Afghanistan? General Beg: Afghans have been subjected to foreign aggression, … [Read more...]
Эксклюзивное интервью с генералом Мирза Аслам Бегом
Ашхабад, 13 октября 2015 (nCa) --- Ниже опубликовано интервью с отставным Генералом Мирза Аслам Бегом, который в период с 1988 по 1991 годы занимал пост начальника штаба вооруженных сил Пакистана. Он является признанным в мире специалистом по афганской тематике. nCa: Имеют ли талибы какие-либо амбиции, распространяющиеся за пределы Афганистана? Генерал Бег: Афганцы … [Read more...]
The Consequences of Kunduz Battle (Urdu Version)
قندوز کی جنگ کے مضمرات جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف’ پاکستان دو متحارب قوتوں’یعنی امریکہ اور طالبان کے درمیان قندوز کی لڑائی فیصلہ کن مقام پر آچکی ہے۔افغانستان میں اپنے اہداف کے حصول میں ناکام ہوکرامریکہ پسپا ہوچکا ہے اور اپنےپیچھے 12000 فوجی چھوڑ گیا ہے جو پانچ فضائی اڈوں سے کاروائیاں کر کے کابل کے حکمرانوں کی مدد کر رہے ہیں جن کی حکومت افغانستان کے شہری … [Read more...]
Последствия Кундузского Боя
Генерал Мирза Аслам Бег, бывший начальник Штаба Армии Пакистана Кундуз является поворотным пунктом в конфликте между двумя противоборствующими силами - американцами и талибами. Американцы, которым не удалось достичь целей развязанной войны, отступают, оставляя остатки сил численностью в 12 тысяч военнослужащих. Этот контингент войск действует на пяти авиабазах и поддерживает … [Read more...]
The Consequences of Kunduz Battle
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Kunduz is a turning point of the conflict between the two opposing forces – the Americans and the Taliban. The Americans having failed to achieve the objectives of war, have retreated, leaving behind a residual force of about 12000, operating from five air bases in support of Kabul regime which controls mainly the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan begins engineering and survey work on 215-km segment of TAPI in its territory
Ashgabat, 4 September 2015 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan has started the engineering and survey work on the 215-km segment of TAPI that will pass through its territory. A commentary circulated Thursday by TDH, the official news agency of Turkmenistan says that the institute of oil and gas of the state concern Turkmengaz had begun a series of technical and geological studies for the … [Read more...]
Туркменистан приступил к инженерно-изыскательным работам на 215-километровом сегменте трубопровода ТАПИ на своей территории
Ашхабад, 4 сентября 2015 (nCa) --- Туркменистан приступил к инженерно-изыскательным работам на 215-километровом сегменте трубопровода ТАПИ, который пройдет через территорию страны. Как сообщает государственное информационное агентство ТДХ, специалисты Института нефти и газа Государственной корпорации «Туркменгаз» приступили к техническим и геологическим исследованиям на … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan continues sharing Afghan burden — When will Afghanistan start carrying its own weight?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 31 August 2015 (nCa) --- The world community including Turkmenistan has poured billions of dollars into Afghanistan in the hope of turning it around. Unfortunately, Afghanistan has very little to show so far. President Berdymuhamedov visited Turkmenistan on 27 August 2015. He had extensive talks with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive … [Read more...]
Туркменистан продолжает разделять бремя Афганистана — Когда Афганистан сможет позаботиться о себе собственными силами?
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 31 августа 2015 (nCa) --- Мировое сообщество, в том числе Туркменистан, вложил миллиарды долларов в Афганистан в надежде на его восстановление. К сожалению, результаты пока не столь очевидны. Президент Бердымухамедов посетил Афганистан 27 августа 2015 года. Он провел обширные переговоры с президентом Ашраф Гани и главой исполнительной власти Абдулла … [Read more...]
TAPI opts for self propulsion – Turkmenistan to lead consortium
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 7 August 2015 (nCa) --- In a historic choice Thursday, Turkmenistan decided to act as the consortium leader for TAPI, the pipeline project that will transport Turkmen gas to Pakistan and India through the territory of Afghanistan. During the 22nd meeting of the steering committee of TAPI, a ministerial level body empowered to take executive … [Read more...]
پاکستان اور افغانستان کی قومی سلامتی کے تقاضے
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف پاکستان Email" friendsfoundation@live.co.uk پاکستان اور افغانستان کے مابین ڈیورنڈ لائن کو بین الاقوامی سرحد کی حیثیت حاصل ہے لیکن یہ لائن کبھی بھی چالیس ملین پختون قوم‘ جس کا تقریبأ ساٹھ فیصدپاکستان میں مقیم ہے‘ کو تقسیم نہیں کرسکی۔یہی تاریخی حقیقت ہے کہ پختون اکثریت افغانستا ن کے معاملات میں فیصلہ کن کردار کی حامل رہی ہے جس کی … [Read more...]
Pak-Afghan Security Imperatives
General Mirza Aslam Beg The Durand Line forms the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but it does not divide the Pakhtuns, a nation of over forty million, with sixty percent of them residing in Pakistan. Historically, this majority has maintained strong influence over the affairs of Afghanistan. No ruler at Kabul could govern without their support and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Conducts Border Protection Exercise in Integrated Mode
nCa Report Ashgabat, 15 December 2014 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan conducted Sunday (14 Dec) a major border protection exercise, demonstrating its ability to respond swiftly and in an integrated manner to border violations. The Exercise Here is the scenario of the exercise: A border patrol spots a group of armed intruders crossing the state borders and reports the incident to … [Read more...]
TAPI technical group, steering committee to meet in Ashgabat
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 5 July 2014 (nCa) --- The Technical Working Group of TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project) will meet in Ashgabat, 6-7 July 2014. This would be followed by the meeting of the Steering Committee, 8-18 July 2014. The agenda covers several important issues including the refining of the roadmap, creation of the … [Read more...]
Политизация проекта ТАПИ
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 31 октября 2013 (nCa) --- Заимствовав устаревшее сравнение, можно сказать, что проект трубопровода ТАПИ по отношению к ослабшим и удрученным Штатам, является некой спасательной шлюпкой для пассажиров тонущего корабля. Отступление под храбрым эвфемизмом вывода войск выглядит серьезным и важным. Старые добрые США, не желая отказаться от своей опоры в … [Read more...]
Politicization of TAPI
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 31 October 2013 (nCa) --- Borrowing a tired simile, TAPI is to a drained and dispirited USA what a lifeboat is to the passengers of a sinking ship. The retreat under the brave euphemism of withdrawal is looming large. The good old US of A, loath to give up its toehold in Central Asia, seems desperate for any fig leave to justify its continued presence … [Read more...]
US-Afghan bilateral negotiations; peace on chess board
Jameel-ur-Rehman Zaib US, until recently, was bent upon crushing the all hideouts of the terrorist outfits operating in unbridled manners in the war-torn Afghanistan and she seemed unmoved to invite Taliban for table talk, but a sudden mind-changer made her realize that the stakes were no more in her favor and the war was unwinnable. Whatever the reasons behind the … [Read more...]
US Afghanistan Strategy: Expecting Jasmine from Skunk Cabbage
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 21 June 2013 (nCa) --- Let’s pack a lot of gobbledygook in one long sentence: Karzai announced plans to negotiate with Taliban, Americans trumped it within three hours by making counter announcement that they will negotiate with Taliban on bilateral basis in Doha, without anyone else on the table; Taliban opened office in Doha and named it representative … [Read more...]
Стратегия США в Афганистане: В ожидании цветка Жасмина из Скунса Капусты
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад 21 июня 2013 г. (nCa) --- Давайте упакуем абракадабру в одну длинную фразу: Карзай объявил о планах провести переговоры с талибами, американцы в течение трех часов после заявления изъявили желание провести переговоры с талибами на двусторонней основе, в Дохе, без остальных участников, талибы открыли представительство в Дохе, и назвали его представительством … [Read more...]
TAT Rail – A Photo Essay
Ashgabat, 7 June 2013 (nCa) --- Just some photos of the launching ceremony of TAT Rail at Atamurat on 5 June 2013: … [Read more...]
TAT Rail – The future begins here
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 7 June 2013 (nCa) --- Rarely comes the moment when you comprehend fully well that you are a witness to history in the making. One such moment took place on 5 June 2013 when the presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan jointly gave start to the construction of first phase of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railway line (TAT … [Read more...]
Железная дорога ТАТ – Будущее начинается здесь
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 7 июня 2013 (nCa) --- Редко наступает такой момент, когда вы полностью осознаете, что стали свидетелем истории в процессе ее становления. Одним из таких моментов стал день 5 июня 2013 года, когда президенты Туркменистана, Афганистана и Таджикистана вместе дали старт строительству первого участка железнодорожной линии Туркменистан-Афганистан-Таджикистан … [Read more...]
NATO discusses Afghan Security Forces numbers: How realistic their vision could be?
Najib Manalai A few weeks ago the NATO defense ministers held discussions in Brussels to provide a “readable” picture of Afghanistan’s security situation after 2014. Accounts from this meeting did not bring much light on how the future of Afghanistan is seen by its international partners. Afghan national security forces could be kept, human resources wise, at the level Afghan … [Read more...]
Trilateral summit endorses regional railway project
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Trilateral summit endorses regional railway project nCa Report Ashgabat, 21 March 2013 (nCa) --- The presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan met Wednesday (20 Mar) in Ashgabat for a trilateral summit. There was just one point on … [Read more...]
Трехсторонний саммит поддержал проект регионального железнодорожного коридора
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Трехсторонний саммит поддержал проект регионального железнодорожного коридора Доклад nCa Ашгабат, 21 марта 2013 года (nCa) --- Президенты Туркменистана, Афганистана и Таджикистана встретились в среду (20 марта) в Ашгабаде для участия в … [Read more...]
Collective political will of participants bolsters TAPI
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Collective political will of participants bolsters TAPI Ashgabat, 22 March 2013 (nCa) --- The presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, in separate statements on 20 March, expressed strong support for TAPI, the pipeline project that … [Read more...]
Коллективная политическая воля участников ТАПИ укрепляет проект
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Коллективная политическая воля участников ТАПИ укрепляет проект Ашгабат, 22 марта 2013 года (nCa) --- Президенты Туркменистана, Афганистана и Пакистана, в отдельных заявлениях 20 марта выразили решительную поддержку проекту газопровода ТАПИ, … [Read more...]
Press Release by Dr. Zakhilwal, Minister of Finance, Afghanistan
Press Release by Dr. Zakhilwal related to Attorney General's Office Ruling on his case Kabul, December 25th, 2012 On August 1st, 2012 a national TV broadcast statements of my bank accounts suggesting that the transactions shown on these documents were suspicious. I immediately responded by officially requesting the Attorney General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan … [Read more...]
Do You Know the History of the Afghani Currency?
The history of a country is more often than not represented also by the many twists and turns that its national currency must endure, as well. When the country is also racked by decades of turmoil, economic strife, and foreign occupations, the stories become entwined even deeper still. Afghanistan is one nation where this correlation has been more pronounced, but, hopefully, … [Read more...]