Topic: Kabul

ISIS-K, founded in 2015 by extremist former members of the Taliban, is identified as the group behind the Moscow attack and the 2021 Kabul airport bombing. The target of the Moscow attack was a concert by the veteran rock band Picnic, which had been banned in Ukraine since 2016 for performing in Crimea.

Steve Nkouy, a Gold Star father whose son was killed in the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, was arrested by Capitol Police after heckling President Biden during the State of the Union. Nkouy shouted "Abbey Gate" and "United States Marines" before being charged with crowding and obstructing. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and families of service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

The Taliban bans women from attending universities in Afghanistan, leading to protests and the resignation of several male professors. A separate report finds the U.S. failed to compensate foreign workers from Nepal and the Philippines who were injured or killed while supporting the U.S. military in the region.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned women from entering amusement parks in Kabul, citing improper wearing of the hijab. The hosts mock the resulting "sausage fest" at the parks and the absurdity of the official justifications for the ban.

President Joe Biden announced the death of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a precision drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Taliban government has officially denied any record of the strike or al-Zawahiri's presence, leading to skepticism regarding the timing of the announcement. Comparisons are drawn to previous unconfirmed reports of his death and the potential use of the event as a political distraction from the U.S. economy.

The United States and its allies are exploring ways to send armed drones, specifically Switchblade "kamikaze" drones, to assist Ukrainian forces. These drones are designed to dive into targets and explode upon impact, similar to technology used previously in Kabul. Operating these systems requires specialized training, leading to discussions about the role of U.S. military advisors in the conflict zone.

Pentagon spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby announces that no individual military members will face discipline for the botched drone strike in Kabul that killed ten civilians, including seven children. The hosts express outrage at the lack of accountability and the "disgraceful" nature of the procedural breakdown.

Reports indicate the Kabul airport suicide bomber was a former prisoner released from CIA custody after the US abandoned its base. The hosts also play a clip from Indian news describing a "civil war" within the Taliban between factions led by Baradar and Khalil Haqqani. They mock the Indian news outlet's use of the term "monkeys with Kalashnikovs."

General Frank McKenzie admitted that a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, originally claimed to have targeted an ISIS-K suicide bomber, actually killed 10 civilians, including seven children. The "explosives" seen by drone operators were actually water containers being loaded into a white Toyota by an aid worker named Zamari Amadi.

The U.S. military's final missile strike in the Afghan war, initially called a righteous strike by the Biden administration, reportedly killed ten civilians including seven children. Investigative reports indicate the target, Zomari Ahmadi, was an aid worker loading water canisters rather than an ISIS operative loading explosives. General Mark Milley defended the intelligence behind the strike despite evidence from the ground contradicting the military's claims.

The Taliban's recent actions in Kabul, including the use of tasers and tear gas against women protesters, are contrasted with their public promises of moderation. The head of Pakistan's ISI, General Faiz Hamid, has arrived in Kabul for talks, highlighting Pakistan's long-standing influence over the group.

Reports emerge that a US drone strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, including six children, rather than the intended ISIS-K targets. Meanwhile, the Taliban held a military parade in Kandahar featuring looted US equipment, including Humvees and Black Hawk helicopters. Technical experts from Qatar have reportedly arrived to help the Taliban restore operations at the Kabul airport.

The Pentagon reportedly used an R9X Hellfire missile, known as the "ninja bomb," to target the mastermind of the Kabul airport bombing. This specific munition does not explode but instead deploys six large blades to shred the target upon impact, minimizing collateral damage. The strike occurred in the Nangarhar province, though geographic definitions of the Khorasan region vary.

The decision to shut down Bagram Airbase in the middle of the night is criticized as a primary cause of the chaotic evacuation at Kabul's commercial airport. General Mark Milley previously stated Bagram was not tactically necessary, but the move left billions in equipment to looters and forced the military to defend a vulnerable urban airport. Turkish Airways is expected to resume flights to Kabul shortly.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation following the suicide bombing at Kabul airport, vowing to "hunt down" those responsible. During the speech, he compared the loss of service members to his son Beau Biden's death from brain cancer, a comparison that drew criticism from military families. Biden's slow, paused delivery and his "gates of hell" rhetoric were noted as he promised retaliation against ISIS-K.

A suicide bombing attributed to ISIS-K occurred at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, targeting the ongoing evacuation efforts. The emergence of ISIS-K is noted as a rebranding of extremist elements following a period of relative dormancy during the previous U.S. administration. Reports indicate multiple explosions, including one near a hotel where the Taliban had previously guaranteed safety.

Colonel Richard Kemp provides a critical assessment on the BBC regarding the timing of the U.S. withdrawal during the Taliban's peak fighting season. The segment disputes media reports of parents throwing babies over barbed wire at the Kabul airport, characterizing them as propaganda.

A reporter highlights a State Department error where unnumbered, blank visa documents were emailed to thousands of Afghans, causing chaos at the Kabul airport. Additionally, the administration is questioned for not utilizing the Civil Reserve Air Fleet to assist in the evacuation.

New Tang Dynasty (NTD) News reports on the 13,000 people evacuated from Kabul and the ongoing risks faced by those at Taliban checkpoints. Personal accounts from a former Afghan police officer describe the Taliban searching homes for members of the previous government.

A Taliban spokesperson criticizes Facebook for censorship during a press conference. CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Kabul, noting the "bizarre" atmosphere where fighters chant "Death to America" while appearing friendly to reporters. The hosts compare this to historical insurgencies in Yemen.