#Islamic extremism in Central Asia

[theupfish]

An example of the good that can be done with the Internet.

Hopefully as information continues to globalized, tyrants like the Taliban, Isis, North Korea, Hamas and Putin will find it harder and harder to maintain their brainwashing and indoctrination.

[afghanbarbie]

The sex-based apartheid against women in Afghanistan cannot be reduced to, "Afghan men saw Afghan women enjoying freedom and got mad, so they established extremist religious governments to stop it." I am really tired of seeing this misconception and oversimplification spread around by leftists, liberals and feminists – it's racist, and simply not fucking true.

The majority of Afghans want a secular government and for the oppression of women to end. The Taliban represent a minority of Afghanistan's people. The deterioration of Afghan society – in particular, women's rights and freedoms – directly results from decades of foreign intervention, imperialism and occupation. Afghans did not destroy Afghanistan, the United States did, and the USSR paved the way for them to do so.

Had Afghanistan never been treated like a pawn in the games played by imperialistic powers, had we not been reduced to resources, strategic importance and a tool for weakening the enemy, extremism would have never come to power.

An overview of Afghanistan's recent history:

The USSR wanted to incorporate Afghanistan into Soviet Central Asia and did so by sabotaging indigenous Afghan communist movements and replacing our leaders with those loyal to the USSR. The United States began funding and training Islamic extremists – the Mujahideen – to fight against the Soviet influence and subsequent invasion, and to help the CIA suppress any indigenous Afghan leftist movements. Those Mujahideen won the war, and then spent the next decade fighting for absolute control over Afghanistan.

During that time period, known as the Afghan Civil War, the Mujahideen became warlords, each enforcing their own laws on the regions they controlled. Kabul was nearly destroyed, and the chaos, destruction and death was largely ignored by the United States despite being the ones who caused and empowered it. This civil war era created the perfect, unstable environment needed to give a fringe but strong group like the Taliban a chance to rise to power. And after two decades of war, a singular entity taking control and bringing 'peace' was enticing to all Afghans, even if their views were objectively more extreme than what we had been enduring up to that point.

When the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001, they allied with the same warlords that had been destroying our country the decade prior and whom they had rallied against the Soviets – these are the people that made up the Northern Alliance. The 'good guys' that America gave us were rapists, pillagers, and violent extremists, no better than the Taliban. And that's not even mentioning the horrible atrocities and war crimes committed by American forces themselves.

So, no, Afghan men did not collectively wake up one day and decide that women had too much freedom and rush to establish an extremist government overnight. No, this is not to excuse the misogyny of men in our society – the extremists had to already exist for Americans to fund and arm them against the Soviets – but rather to redirect the bulk of this racist blame to the actual culprits. The religious extremism and sex-based apartheid would not be oppressing and murdering us today if they hadn't been funded and supported by the United States of America thirty years ago. And despite all the abuses and restrictions, many Afghan women prefer the Taliban's current government to another American occupation. I felt safer walking in Taliban-controlled Kabul than I did being 'randomly searched' (sexually assaulted) by American military police in my village as a child.

Imperialism is inextricably linked with patriarchal violence and women's oppression. You cannot talk about the deterioration of Afghanistan without talking about the true cause of said decline: The United States of America. Americans of all political views, including leftists and feminists, are guilty of reducing or outright ignoring Western responsibility for female oppression in the Global South, finding it much easier to place all blame on the foreign brown man or our supposedly backwards, savage cultures, when the most responsibility belongs with Western governments and their meddling games that forced the most violent misogynists among us into power.

(Most of this information comes from my own experience living as an Afghan Hazara woman in Afghanistan, but Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords and the Propaganda of Silence covers this in much more detail. If you want more on the Soviet-Afghan war and Afghanistan's socialist history, Revolutionary Afghanistan is an English-language source from a more leftist perspective)

[hungwy]

What are you reading lately?

recently finished audiobooks:

the invention of nature: alexander von humboldt's new world by andrea wulf (5/5 stars, extremely based takes for an 1800s european on the immorality of slavery, rights for indigenous people in the americas, and the negative effects of colonization on the environment. basically THE blueprint for all naturalists after him. probably one of the most beloved scientists ever)

central asia: a new history from the imperial conquests to the present by adeeb khalid (5/5 stars, just a wonderfully researched and presented book. a [necessary] focus on the role of islam, nation-building, ethnicity, and communism in central asia)

when we cease to understand the world by benjamin labatut (4/5 stars, i will never get enough of the history of quantum theory)

the art of communicating by thich nhat hanh (3/5 stars, he writes the same book every book but i still like it every time)

a brief history of equality by thomas piketty (2/5 stars, some good history but essentially a "we must discuss these problems further" book with sometimes weird possible solutions to problems. overall one obviously good point: economic reparations are necessary in many, many places)

currently reading/listening/holding/sensually imbibing:

system of transcendental idealism by fwj schelling (pdf)

a short commentary on kant's critique of pure reason by ac erwing (book)

the case against the supreme court by erwin chemerinsky (audiobook)

next on the to-read list (not in order):

non-places: an introduction to supermodernity by marc auge (admittedly a shot in the dark for whether i like it or not)

immediacy or, the style of too late capitalism by anna kornbluh (zizek and so on podcast did an interview with her that i really liked)

views of nature by alexander von humboldt (hopelessly humboldtpilled)

essays on transcendental philosophy by salomon maimon (imo kant's greatest critic and also has a cool philosophy of difference)

[anarchywoofwoof]

north korea bad is popping off on reddit again. top post on the CIA-controlled subreddit with 43 million subscribers masquerading as a news community. i was intrigued by the source being NZ Herald but when i clicked on the article, my questions were answered.

now. for those of you unfamiliar. Radio Free Asia is basically a US propaganda organ that masks its intentions by attempting to appear objective.

although many will suggest that they no longer have direct affiliation with the CIA, and that may be true, it does not change the fact that they are funded by the US government and have been spreading blatant lies with literally no source to their extremely over the top claims for many years.

that being said, these perpetual lies happen to include misinfo regarding China's versions of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some of the RFA articles reviewed lacked key context in describing purported issues with Chinese-made vaccines. This could enable the spread of anti-vaccine misinformation at a time when research suggests that exposure to online misinformation about vaccines can increase rates of vaccine hesitancy.  In one example, a November 10 article on RFA’s Cantonese website, headlined “Clinical trial of Chinese vaccine halted in Brazil after causing serious incident,” lacked important context from local authorities. A serious incident had indeed occurred: the death of a participant in a local trial of the Sinovac vaccine. But Reuters reported November 9 that the death had been deemed a suicide and that an official had denied any link to the vaccine, a detail not noted in RFA’s article.  The article, presented as a news story, also contained editorial comment dismissing China’s approach to vaccines. “This accident not only renews criticism of the ‘Great Leap Forward’-style of vaccine research and development, but also presents a serious setback for China, which is devoting all of its resources to this Covid-19 vaccine competition,”  the first paragraph reads. RFA continued to describe the trial’s suspension as owing to “severe adverse effects,” not mentioning the participant’s reported cause of death, in at least two subsequent articles.

there's a lot more at the source. it's a great read. but there's one more piece to this that is important to understand.

it has also been confirmed that, from spring 2020 to mid-2021, the Pentagon and by extension the US Government itself engaged in misinformation campaigns in Southeast Asia regarding Chinese vaccines.

The U.S. military’s anti-vax effort began in the spring of 2020 and expanded beyond Southeast Asia before it was terminated in mid-2021, Reuters determined. Tailoring the propaganda campaign to local audiences across Central Asia and the Middle East, the Pentagon used a combination of fake social media accounts on multiple platforms to spread fear of China’s vaccines among Muslims at a time when the virus was killing tens of thousands of people each day. A key part of the strategy: amplify the disputed contention that, because vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, China’s shots could be considered forbidden under Islamic law. The military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden’s presidency, Reuters found – even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation. The Biden White House issued an edict in spring 2021 banning the anti-vax effort, which also disparaged vaccines produced by other rivals, and the Pentagon initiated an internal review, Reuters found.

what a coincidence that Radio Free Asia just so happened to be engaging disinformation campaigns against the same exact vaccines as the State Department during the same exact timeframe. very strange.

obviously none of this information matters even a little to anyone on the shithole of a website that is reddit. xenophobia is dominating the convo as always. you could post literally anything about north korea on reddit and it will instantly shoot to the top of any decent sized community. but i had to post this somewhere or i was going to lose my mind.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Ken Klippenstein:

Donald Trump’s incoming counterterrorism czar wants you to join the government’s war on terrorism. That’s the message he conveyed yesterday in a little-noticed interview following the reportedly ISIS-inspired vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans. The remarks paint an alarming picture of the incoming administration’s plans to take the war on terrorism to “the streets of America” — a war in which “you are the first responder,” as the Trump nominee put it. “You are on the front line of the war against global jihadism,” Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s incoming senior director for counterterrorism, told Newsmax. His rhetoric reminds me of the post-9/11 paranoia of the Bush administration, during which the national security state crept into American civic life in all sorts of ways that remain with us today. In much the same fashion, Gorka stressed that preventing terrorism is a responsibility you — not in the plural sense but you personally — share with even the elite operators like the Navy SEALs(!) As he told Newsmax:

[“You need to understand — every single one of our Newsmax viewers. You are on the front line of the war against global jihadism. It's not just our tier one operators. It's not just the guys at Dam Neck, the SEALs, or the guys over the wire at Bragg. You. You, like the people on Bourbon Street, are on the front line. So be aware. Keep your head on a swivel…it's not about warzones 8,000 miles away in Central Asia. It's about here on the streets of America. You are the first responder.”]

Several troubling implications arise from Gorka’s counter-terror vision. Deputizing ordinary people as volunteers for the national security state induces them to view the world through that framework, which just doesn’t map onto civic life. Should a teacher really adopt the worldview of a Navy SEAL? Also, Gorka’s rhetoric implies that terror attacks happen because the public wasn’t vigilant enough, rather than that our lavishly funded national security state failed to anticipate them. (There’s already plenty of signs that New Orleans authorities failed to properly deploy barriers that would have prevented the attack.) Gorka’s extreme views may well make him the most dangerous figure in the incoming Trump administration, as I’ve previously reported. While the major media have tended to obsess about Tulsi Gabbard and her supposed ties to the Russians (despite there being no hard evidence), Gorka has basically completely avoided scrutiny. Particularly alarming are his views on “radical Islamic terrorism,” a phrase he is fond of. When asked if Trump believes Islam is a religion, for instance, Gorka has repeatedly declined to answer. “Anybody who downplays the role of religious ideology,” Gorka said in 2017, “they are deleting reality to fit their own world.”

Rabid Islamophobe and soon-to-be former Newsmax host Sebastian Gorka went on Newsmax’s Finnerty Wednesday told Americans that “you are on the front line of the war against global jihadism.”

[talonabraxas]

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C.

Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.

He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty. For nearly six years, he undertook fasting and other austerities, but these techniques proved ineffectual and he abandoned them. He eventually promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which means existing between two extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also without deprivation.

After regaining his strength, he seated himself under a Bodhi tree in west-central India and promised not to rise until he had attained the supreme enlightenment. After fighting off Mara, an evil spirit who tempted him with worldly comforts and desires, Siddhartha reached enlightenment, becoming a Buddha at the age of 35. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.

When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism.

In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged.

Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas differently than others.

In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country.

Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing Buddhism into the background. Nonetheless, Buddhism eventually spread to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan and, in the 20th century, to the West.

Buddhism Beliefs and Practices

Some key Buddhism beliefs include: Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana.

The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary being, but not a god. The word Buddha means “enlightened.”

The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth.

There are many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion.

Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, a “way of life” or a “spiritual tradition.”

Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence but also self-denial.

Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding the religion.

Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth).

Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or in their own homes.

Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct, which includes celibacy.

There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number of images have evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose name means “well-being” or “good fortune” in Sanskrit).

Types of Buddhism Today, many forms of Buddhism exist around the world. The three main types that represent specific geographical areas include:

Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma

Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam

Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern India

Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that’s practiced in many of the same areas. It emphasizes simplicity and meditation—the word “zen” means meditation—in lieu of religious scripture, ceremonies or doctrines.

Nirvana Buddhism is closely related to Theravada Buddhism, but the concept of nirvana is also central to many paths of Buddhism. The term nirvana means “blowing out,” as a candle is blown out, thus ending all attachment and desire to achieve a state of pure enlightenment.

Each of these types reveres certain texts and has slightly different interpretations of Buddha’s teachings.

Some forms of Buddhism incorporate ideas of other religions and philosophies, such as Taoism and Bon.

Dharma Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.

Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:

Killing living things Taking what is not given Sexual misconduct Lying Using drugs or alcohol

Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are: The truth of suffering (dukkha) The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya) The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha) The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)

Collectively, these principles explain why humans hurt and how to overcome suffering.

Eightfold Path The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the fourth Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path.

In no particular order, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the following ideals for ethical conduct, mental disciple and achieving wisdom:

Right understanding (Samma ditthi) Right thought (Samma sankappa) Right speech (Samma vaca) Right action (Samma kammanta) Right livelihood (Samma ajiva) Right effort (Samma vayama) Right mindfulness (Samma sati) Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Buddha by Talon Abraxas

[duchess-skye]

Horse archery and heavy cavalry

While many tend to associate heavily armoured cavalry with tactics similar to Europe in that they are solely lancers, meant to charge into enemy formations and break them, in most of the world heavy cavalry didn't tend to serve solely this role. In essentially all of Asia heavy cavalry tended to be equipped with bows and served the same role as more lightly armoured horse archers while also being able to double as shock cavalry when the situation called for it due to their heavier equipment. These tactics were also adopted in North Africa, due to direct influence from the Turkic slave soldiers in use by the Islamic caliphates.

Of course many people do tend to associate horse archery with lighter cavalry and this is understandable as most horse archers did tend to be more lightly equipped in the steppe armies. But this isn't because they're horse archers, but rather the opposite. Because it was the default for cavalry to be archers, and when one is lightly armoured the best role to serve would be that of a horse archer. However by no means does horse archery require lightly armoured troops.

One specific way of utilizing heavy cavalry, popular all across central and west Asia though by no means limited to it, would be to equip heavy cavalry with lances in addition to their bows. The most famous users of this tactic would probably be the Mongols which made very liberal and effective use of their heavy cavalry in this manner. The cavalry would serve the regular horse archer role at first - harrassing the enemy at range - but when the situation called for it they'd swap to their lances and charge into the weary enemy ranks. If the enemy didn't break immediately (which they often did) they'd pull back, regroup and charge again.

This might then raise the question in some of you which is - how does one carry both a bow and a lance at the same time? Luckily for us, we have got sources for this. Below is a depiction from an early 14th century Ilkhanate manuscript, depicting the lance tied around the foot and arm to leave the hands free for bow- or indeed in this case sword - usage.

Another source for how to hold a lance while using a bow on horseback can be found in the Silahşorname by the late 15th century Ottoman author, Firdevsî-i Rûmî. The translation below was done by a friend of mine: "The second way is that if you wish to shoot arrows while on top of a running horse, whether it be in battle against an enemy or other places or in hunting, then it’s necessary to secure the lance between the strap of the right stirrup and the horse’s chest while making the horse run. That is to say, put the lance between the strap of the right stirrup and the horse’s chest and tuck its blade high up. As in tuck the lance into your right elbow and have the blade of the lance behind you so that it stays secure. And after that, your horse can run and you can make your shot. Shooting arrows in this way is the legacy of Behram-i Gur, who was the sultan of Persia, he was a hunter and an archer."

The attribution of this technique to the 5th century Behram-i Gur is definitely a fabrication by the author of the book, no doubt to mythicise the usage of the weaponry in this manner. regardless, the technique mentioned is pretty interesting. While there's scores more to say about this topic I think leaving it here for this time is good enough. I will however leave you with a video series below which is an extremely well researched overview on heavy cavalry in the Mongol armies, and definitely a must watch if you have any interest in this topic.

[phykios]

do you have hcs of percabeth and fam doing things that are culturally greek but arent part of tHe aMeRcIcAn pErCePtIoN Of gReEkNeSs like food music dress social norms etc? or of things they do when they visit the old country?

anon i'm so sorry about the can of worms you've just opened but this is literally the backdrop of my dissertation so

the "american perception" (/western/european perception) of greece is (currently, anyway) closely associated with what we think of ancient greece (largely ancient athens, sometimes ancient sparta, occasionally ancient crete), but the Greek cultural perception of greece is, on the whole, extremely orthodox christian, specifically in opposition to both a) catholicism and b) islam, specifically in the ottoman empire. in the nineteenth century there was a MASSIVE political and cultural debate in the new nation state of modern greece over what they would present as their national mythology, split down the middle between ancient pagan greece and medieval christian byzantium, and also the years of ottoman occupation up until the revolution. there were some writers like constantine paparrigopolous who tried to bridge the gap between the two (he claimed that alexander's military campaigns were done in part to "prepare" the territory for the coming of christ lmao), but even this was partly in response to western european ideas about What Greece Even Is, specifically jakob phillip fallmerayer who wrote a very poorly-received (in greece) treatise about how the Great and Noble Ancients shared no dna with the current inhabitants of greece, who were all "tainted" by the slavs. because european racism

so, all that aside, what is culturally greek? in general, being christian. modern greek life is built around the church, and a lot of the things that aren't Ancient Greece that we think of as being Authentically Greek have their roots in orthodox christianity: icons, byzantine churches, lamb as a central foodstuff, etc. of course, much as they are loath to admit it, a lot of greek culture today also comes from ottoman occupation: national costume (fezzes, silk brocade), music (~oriental~ tonality, distinctly eastern instruments), and, again, food (coffee, baklava [with apologies to my ancestors]). and then there's just a bunch of stuff in modern 20th century greek culture that's just a big mishmash of the population reshuffle in the 1920s, as greece and turkey had a big population exchange (that occasionally dipped into ethnic cleansing). in athens specifically, you would have greek refugees from ALL OVER asia minor, but also the islands, the levant, northern greece, and other places in the balkans, all with their own distinct cultural traditions, and historical explanations for those traditions, especially with things like dance and folk song. AND THEN ALSO the traditions of the greek diaspora, esp in america

in the 1930s, as part of the metaxas dictatorship, greek cultural policy was in the process of hammering out what it meant to be "authentically greek," in a familiar combination of ancient pagan and orthodox christian, before metaxas' death, the entry of greece into wwii, and then the greek civil war and the dictatorship of the colonels, but they never quite... finished the process

to bring this all back to your question, i dont' know. it depends. i will often hc percy/thalia/nico as being more greek-looking than other demigods bc of the big three, and sometimes i dabble with sally being greek, but whether or not they are Actually Greek is something else (in canon, anyway; in aus this is an entirely different situation). THAT SAID, the two greek traditions i know for certain that percy participates in are making great food and loving his mother. which isn't even a strictly greek thing anyway. i can't even joke about him having the traditional greek breakfast of coffee and a cigarette bc i hc him hating coffee 😂

[mariacallous]

Despite attempts by President Vladimir Putin and Russia's state-controlled media to pin the blame for Friday's deadly Moscow theatre attack on Ukraine, more details are emerging about the jihadist group IS-K that has claimed it was behind it.

Who or what is IS-K?

IS-K is an abbreviation of Islamic State-Khorasan - a regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, which has been proscribed as a terror organisation by governments across the world.

It is focused on Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan and into Central Asia.

The group has given itself the name Khorasan as that was part of an historic Islamic caliphate spanning that region.

IS-K has been around for nine years but in recent months it has emerged as the most dangerous branch of the Islamic State group, with a long reach and a reputation for extreme brutality and cruelty.

Along with what is left of the group's wider leadership in Syria and Iraq, IS-K aspires to a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled through an ultra-strict interpretation of Sharia, Islamic law.

In Afghanistan it is waging a sporadic but still deadly insurgency against the country's rulers, the Taliban, who it opposes on ideological grounds.

Has IS-K carried out attacks before?

It targeted the chaotic evacuation from Kabul airport in 2021 with a suicide bomb, killing 170 Afghans and 13 US servicemen.

The following year it targeted the Russian embassy in Kabul, killing at least six people and injuring others.

The group has carried out indiscriminate attacks on a maternity ward, bus stations and policemen.

In January this year, IS-K carried out a double bombing of a shrine in Kerman, Iran, killing nearly 100 Iranians.

In Russia it has carried out numerous small-scale attacks, the most recent being in 2020 - and already this year the FSB, Russia's internal security service, says it has stopped several terror plots.

Who were the Moscow attackers?

According to Russian state media the four men captured and charged are all Tajiks from the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan, which used to be part of the Soviet Union.

It is obvious from their battered and bruised appearance in court that they have been especially harshly interrogated to the point of torture.

The problem with that is according to international norms, their confessions will be worthless - people will say anything to make the pain stop, including confessing to a narrative that is simply untrue.

Reports have emerged that one of the men was seen carrying out surveillance of the venue in early March, around the time the US warned Russia there was an imminent threat of a terrorist attack on a public space - a warning the Kremlin dismissed at the time as "propaganda".

Another report says at least two of the attackers arrived in Russia recently, implying that this was a "hit team" sent by IS-K, rather than a sleeper cell of residents.

Why did they target Russia?

There are several reasons.

IS-K consider most of the world to be their enemies. Russia is high up on their list, along with the US, Europe, Israel, Jews, Christians, Shia Muslims, the Taliban and all rulers of Muslim-majority states, who they consider to be "apostates".

Islamic State's hostility to Russia goes back to the Chechen wars in the 1990s and early 2000s, when Moscow's forces devastated the Chechen capital Grozny.

More recently, Russia entered the Syrian civil war on the side of its ally, President Bashar al-Assad, and the Russian air force has carried out countless bombings of rebel and civilian positions, killing large numbers of Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda-linked fighters.

In Afghanistan, IS-K view Russia as being an ally of the Taliban, which is why they attacked the Russian embassy in Kabul in 2022.

They also bear a grudge for the 10 years of brutal Soviet occupation of that country from 1979-89.

Then there is the situation inside Russia itself.

Russia is viewed by IS-K as very much a Christian country and their video posted after the Moscow attack talks about killing Christians.

Tajik and other Central Asian migrant workers are sometimes subject to a degree of harassment and suspicion by the FSB as it seeks to head off terrorist attacks.

Finally, Russia - a nation currently distracted by its full-scale war with its neighbour Ukraine - may simply have been a convenient target of opportunity for IS-K, a place where weapons were available and their enemy's guard was down.

What do we still not know about the Moscow attack?

There remain a number of unanswered questions about this whole episode.

For example, why were the attackers able to wander at will for nearly an hour around the Crocus Hall with absolutely no apparent sense of urgency?

In a country where the police and special services, notably the FSB, are omnipresent, these gunmen behaved as if they knew they were not going to be interrupted by a police SWAT team.

Then there are the weapons - not just handguns but powerful, modern automatic assault rifles. How were they able to acquire these and smuggle them undetected into the venue?

Their swift capture is also surprising.

Unlike many jihadist gunmen on a raid like this, these men were not wearing suicide vests or belts, in the manner of those who prefer death to capture.

And yet, it did not take long for the Russian authorities - the same Russian authorities who failed to stop the worst terror plot in 20 years unfolding beneath their noses - to round up the suspects and put them on trial.

All this is prompting some analysts to speculate about some sort of so-called "inside job" by the Kremlin, or a "false flag operation" to garner popular support for the war on Ukraine.

However, there is no hard evidence to support that theory and US intelligence has confirmed that in their view, it was Islamic State behind this hideous attack.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Crimean Tatars today are the only politically organized community capable of opposing Russian dictatorship in the Crimean peninsula.

For the past two years the pro-Russian government, established in Crimea by military means, has established feudal-like governance and police state, restricting the people’s political rights, suppressing any dissent, and demanding unconditional loyalty from every group of the civil society.

Consequently, the political life in Crimea has been shifting towards a deeply reactionary dictatorship. Independent politics, social and human rights activism, and even basic cultural and entertainment activities have become impossible for Crimean people without the approval of the authorities. Since the first few months of Russian domination in Crimea, a massive stream of refugees to mainland Ukraine has established, composed of those who had been assaulted by pro-Russian collaborators, persecuted by secret services or simply driven away by the new political climate.

One of the targets for repressions are the indigenous people of Crimea are Crimean Tatars. They have organized a strong community after their repatriation from Central Asia, to which they were forcibly deported by Stalin’s regime in 1944. As the new Russian government failed to secure the loyalty of almost 300,000-strong people (which has not regained its rights in the historic homeland) it employed the means of terror. The political leaders of Crimean Tatars, as well as activists and their families, are repressed; the people that blemish the picture of civil uniformity are discriminated against on religious and ethnic grounds.

In the last two years regular police searches, detentions, abductions, tortures, cultural and religious restrictions have become commonplace for the Crimean Tatars. Their national representative institution — the Mejlis of Crimean Tatars did not bow in loyalty before the occupation authorities; for that the organization was officially designated as “extremist” and banned in the entire Russian Federation. Members of the Mejlis in Crimea are falsely accused of many crimes; the accusations ranging from staging mass riots to starting a war on behalf of ISIS. It should be said that every protest organized by the Crimean Tatars is exceptionally non-violent and there haven’t been an aggressive statement in their public discourse.

Apparently, the Russian regime is trying to designate Crimean Tatars, the indigenous people who disagree with the occupation of Crimea, a scarecrow, a public enemy. Extremism, terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism and collaboration with Nazis during the German occupation — these are the labels, put on Crimean Tatars in order to imprint racist prejudices upon the loyalist part of the Crimean society and extinguish any sympathy for the oppressed. That is why Crimean Tatars deserve the widest international support more than anyone in the Russian-occupied Crimea.

As anarchists, we do not cherish any false hopes for honesty or decency of the Crimean Tatar’s political representatives. We can hardly believe that members of the Ukrainian Parliament, government officials or President’s advisers can truly be honest and accountable spokespeople of their voters’ interests, just as it is the case with any other elected official in any other system based on representative democracy. At the same time, we have no moral right to sit on the fence, ignoring the discrimination against Crimean Tatars, or to criticize their political organization in the circumstances of state terror directed against them.

We urge anarchists all over the world to express solidarity and support indigenous people of Crimea, which does not cease to resist the Russian dictatorship despite the restrictions, arrests, violence, and intimidation. We cannot foresee the political fate of Crimea, but in any case Crimean Tatars should be free from discrimination and repressions, their national representation (no matter how far removed from the anarchist ideals they might be) should not be a subject of a government ban.

Down with the dictatorship of Russia! Freedom for indigenous peoples of Crimea! Freedom for the Crimean Tatars!

Autonomous Workers’ Union – Kiev January 19th anarchist committee

[quotesfrommyreading]

Mr. Xi is the son of an early Communist Party leader who in the 1980s supported more relaxed policies toward ethnic minority groups, and some analysts had expected he might follow his father’s milder ways when he assumed leadership of the party in November 2012.

But the speeches underscore how Mr. Xi sees risks to China through the prism of the collapse of the Soviet Union, which he blamed on ideological laxity and spineless leadership.

Across China, he set about eliminating challenges to party rule; dissidents and human rights lawyers disappeared in waves of arrests. In Xinjiang, he pointed to examples from the former Soviet bloc to argue that economic growth would not immunize a society against ethnic separatism.

The Baltic republics were among the most developed in the Soviet Union but also the first to leave when the country broke up, he told the leadership conference. Yugoslavia’s relative prosperity did not prevent its disintegration either, he added.

“We say that development is the top priority and the basis for achieving lasting security, and that’s right,” Mr. Xi said. “But it would be wrong to believe that with development every problem solves itself.”

In the speeches, Mr. Xi showed a deep familiarity with the history of Uighur resistance to Chinese rule, or at least Beijing’s official version of it, and discussed episodes rarely if ever mentioned by Chinese leaders in public, including brief periods of Uighur self-rule in the first half of the 20th century.

Violence by Uighur militants has never threatened Communist control of the region. Though attacks grew deadlier after 2009, when nearly 200 people died in ethnic riots in Urumqi, they remained relatively small, scattered and unsophisticated.

Even so, Mr. Xi warned that the violence was spilling from Xinjiang into other parts of China and could taint the party’s image of strength. Unless the threat was extinguished, Mr. Xi told the leadership conference, “social stability will suffer shocks, the general unity of people of every ethnicity will be damaged, and the broad outlook for reform, development and stability will be affected.”

Setting aside diplomatic niceties, he traced the origins of Islamic extremism in Xinjiang to the Middle East, and warned that turmoil in Syria and Afghanistan would magnify the risks for China. Uighurs had traveled to both countries, he said, and could return to China as seasoned fighters seeking an independent homeland, which they called East Turkestan.

“After the United States pulls troops out of Afghanistan, terrorist organizations positioned on the frontiers of Afghanistan and Pakistan may quickly infiltrate into Central Asia,” Mr. Xi said. “East Turkestan’s terrorists who have received real-war training in Syria and Afghanistan could at any time launch terrorist attacks in Xinjiang.”

Mr. Xi’s predecessor, Hu Jintao, responded to the 2009 riots in Urumqi with a clampdown but he also stressed economic development as a cure for ethnic discontent — longstanding party policy. But Mr. Xi signaled a break with Mr. Hu’s approach in the speeches.

“In recent years, Xinjiang has grown very quickly and the standard of living has consistently risen, but even so ethnic separatism and terrorist violence have still been on the rise,” he said. “This goes to show that economic development does not automatically bring lasting order and security.”

Ensuring stability in Xinjiang would require a sweeping campaign of surveillance and intelligence gathering to root out resistance in Uighur society, Mr. Xi argued.

He said new technology must be part of the solution, foreshadowing the party’s deployment of facial recognition, genetic testing and big data in Xinjiang. But he also emphasized old-fashioned methods, such as neighborhood informants, and urged officials to study how Americans responded to the Sept. 11 attacks.

Like the United States, he said, China “must make the public an important resource in protecting national security.”

“We Communists should be naturals at fighting a people’s war,” he said. “We’re the best at organizing for a task.”

The only suggestion in these speeches that Mr. Xi envisioned the internment camps now at the heart of the crackdown was an endorsement of more intense indoctrination programs in Xinjiang’s prisons.

“There must be effective educational remolding and transformation of criminals,” he told officials in southern Xinjiang on the second day of his trip. “And even after these people are released, their education and transformation must continue.”

Within months, indoctrination sites began opening across Xinjiang — mostly small facilities at first, which held dozens or hundreds of Uighurs at a time for sessions intended to pressure them into disavowing devotion to Islam and professing gratitude for the party.

Then in August 2016, a hard-liner named Chen Quanguo was transferred from Tibet to govern Xinjiang. Within weeks, he called on local officials to “remobilize” around Mr. Xi’s goals and declared that Mr. Xi’s speeches “set the direction for making a success of Xinjiang.”

New security controls and a drastic expansion of the indoctrination camps followed.

The crackdown appears to have smothered violent unrest in Xinjiang, but many experts have warned that the extreme security measures and mass detentions are likely to breed resentment that could eventually inspire worse ethnic clashes.

  —  ‘Absolutely No Mercy’: Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims

[rmceducation]

Why do Indians go to Uzbekistan?

1. Education Opportunities

One of the primary reasons Indians are heading to Uzbekistan is the growing opportunities in higher education, particularly in the field of medicine.

MBBS Programs: Uzbekistan has become a favored destination for Indian students pursuing an MBBS degree. The country offers affordable medical education with a curriculum that meets international standards. Many medical universities in Uzbekistan are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medical Council of India (MCI), making it easier for graduates to practice medicine in India or pursue further studies abroad. The medium of instruction is often English, which removes language barriers for Indian students.

Affordability: The cost of education in Uzbekistan is significantly lower compared to private medical colleges in India. This affordability, coupled with the quality of education, makes Uzbekistan an attractive option for students from middle-income families who aspire to become doctors but are unable to secure a seat in India due to the highly competitive nature of medical entrance exams.

Simplified Admission Process: The admission process for Indian students is relatively straightforward, with less emphasis on extremely high entrance exam scores compared to Indian institutions. This accessibility is a significant draw for students who have the qualifications but are unable to get into top-tier Indian medical colleges.

2. Tourism

Uzbekistan’s rich history, stunning architecture, and unique cultural heritage are attracting a growing number of Indian tourists.

Historical Ties: Uzbekistan is home to several cities that were key stops on the ancient Silk Road, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. These cities boast breathtaking Islamic architecture, ancient monuments, and vibrant bazaars, offering a glimpse into a world that has fascinated Indians for centuries.

Ease of Travel: With the introduction of direct flights between India and Uzbekistan and the relatively affordable travel costs, visiting Uzbekistan has become more accessible to Indian tourists. The country also offers visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens, further simplifying travel logistics.

Cultural and Religious Appeal: The shared history and cultural connections between India and Uzbekistan, dating back to the Mughal Empire, have created a sense of familiarity for Indian travelers. Additionally, the presence of Sufi shrines and Islamic heritage sites in Uzbekistan resonates with Indian Muslims who visit these sites for religious tourism.

3. Business and Trade

The strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between India and Uzbekistan has opened new avenues for business and trade.

Investment Opportunities: Uzbekistan’s government has been actively promoting foreign investment, and Indian businesses have started exploring opportunities in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, and textiles. Uzbekistan’s strategic location in Central Asia, coupled with its natural resources, presents significant potential for Indian companies looking to expand their footprint in the region.

Growing Market: As Uzbekistan continues to develop its economy, there is a growing demand for goods and services, creating opportunities for Indian exporters and entrepreneurs. The government’s focus on modernization and industrialization aligns well with India’s expertise in various sectors, paving the way for mutually beneficial collaborations.

Cultural Exchange and Soft Power: The increasing interest in Bollywood films, Indian cuisine, and yoga in Uzbekistan has also contributed to the cultural exchange between the two countries. Indian businesses in the entertainment, hospitality, and wellness industries are finding a receptive audience in Uzbekistan, further strengthening the people-to-people ties.

4. Cultural Exchange and Diplomatic Relations

Cultural exchange has always been a cornerstone of the relationship between India and Uzbekistan.

Historical Connections: The ties between India and Uzbekistan date back to the Mughal era, when Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, hailed from the region of present-day Uzbekistan. This shared history has laid the foundation for a deep cultural connection that continues to influence bilateral relations today.

Cultural Programs and Festivals: Both countries have been actively promoting cultural exchange programs, including film festivals, art exhibitions, and music concerts. The popularity of Indian culture in Uzbekistan, particularly Bollywood, has played a significant role in enhancing India’s soft power in the region.

Educational and Language Programs: Uzbek universities are increasingly offering courses in Indian languages and culture, further fostering academic and cultural ties. Indian students and professionals in Uzbekistan often engage in cultural activities that help strengthen the bond between the two nations.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, MBBS In Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan is emerging as a significant destination for Indians for various reasons, ranging from education and tourism to business and cultural exchange. The country’s affordability, rich cultural heritage, and growing economic opportunities make it an attractive option for Indians looking to explore new horizons. As diplomatic and economic ties between India and Uzbekistan continue to strengthen, the flow of students, tourists, and professionals between the two countries is likely to increase, fostering a deeper and more meaningful relationship in the years to come. Whether it’s pursuing a medical degree, exploring ancient Silk Road cities, or expanding business ventures, Uzbekistan offers a diverse range of opportunities that are increasingly drawing Indians to this Central Asian gem.

[olivesbest]

At The Threshold Of A Civilizational War:

Who is Preparing a Clash Between the Islamic and Non-Islamic Worlds?

Rising tensions between Islamic and non-Islamic worlds, especially Christianity, are fueled by terrorist acts linked to radical Islam. These incidents breed fear and hostility toward all Muslims, leading to xenophobia and violence worldwide, including notable increases after major attacks like 9/11 and others in Europe and Russia. Some attribute these biases to terrorism, but investigations suggest deliberate provocations and instigation of hatred and aggression by certain groups, such as the March 2024 attack in Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

The Russian Human Rights Organization "Memorial" is aware of a number of cases (the actual number may be significantly higher) where the FSB selected random Muslim individuals and fabricated terrorism charges against them. The fabrication was accompanied by torture to extract confessions; weapons and explosive devices were also planted. The human rights organization notes that it is extremely difficult to generate public outcry over such illegal actions due to the growing Islamophobia in society. According to the Human Rights Center "Memorial", in 2021, Russia had 420 political prisoners, 360 of whom were persecuted specifically on religious grounds, with the majority being Muslims.

2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing

Regarding this case, in 2021 the Human Rights Center Memorial completed extensive analysis and concluded that at least 9 out of 11 defendants were not guilty, while the guilt of the remaining two was questionable. Nevertheless, ten defendants received sentences ranging from 19 to 28 years in prison, and one was sentenced to life imprisonment. On August 6, 2021, an appeal was considered resulting in the reduction of sentences for each of the ten defendants by 1-2 months.

Screenshots from The Interregional Public Organization “Human Rights Center ‘Memorial'” website memohrc.org

Torture of Detainees in the Crocus City Hall Attack Case

From the examples above, it becomes clear that torture of detainees by law enforcement during investigations isn’t new to Russians. The problem of violence committed by law-enforcement agencies has long been known to the public, journalists, and human rights activists.

What is new in the case of the Crocus City Hall attack is publicity. Previously, torture occurred behind closed doors, with no videos recorded and posted on social media. This time, the extent to which the brutal torture was made public is unprecedented. Many people witnessed paralyzing and horrifying footage of violence. This precedent by law enforcement basically legitimized the most brutal and lawless treatment of people from Central Asia, which many Russian citizens implicitly accepted towards Muslim communities in general.

The lack of condemning reactions to the torture from Russian agencies and officials already contributes to further normalization of this practice among the population, amplifying the already rapidly growing Islamophobia. In response to that, tension and outrage arise among adherents of Islam, further dividing society. Overall dissatisfaction is increasing, fueled by fear for personal safety and complete distrust in the government and the law. Reinforcement of the repressive apparatus within Russia, aimed at further restriction of democratic rights and freedoms that have already significantly dwindled in recent years, can create extreme tension at a critical moment: the spring will break, and the situation will become uncontrollable and irreversible. Who benefits from that?

Read more about this in the article:

At The Threshold Of A Civilizational War Who is Preparing a Clash Between the Islamic and Non-Islamic Worlds?

[darkmaga-returns]

Officially, Turkey’s state ideology is secularism imposed by Ataturk a century ago. However, for all intents and purposes, Ankara’s driving force is an extremely volatile mix of Neo-Ottomanism, political Islam and pan-Turkism. Erdogan is doing everything in his power to spread and implement these all over the place, be it Southeast Europe, the Middle East, North Africa or Central Asia. Turkey is punching way above its weight in doing so, but its geostrategic position allows this (at least for the time being). Namely, Ankara is trying to play all sides it’s engaged with in order to achieve its megalomaniacal expansionist goals, but its NATO membership still makes it an asset of the political West.

For years, I’ve been arguing that all the evidence suggests that Turkey is one of NATO’s “Trojan horses” and that its policies undermine regional stability, particularly in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, where Ankara is using its resources to radicalize young populations, resulting in a massive increase in the number of terrorists who join ISIS and other similar NATO-backed terrorist organizations operating all over the world. The latest events in Syria serve as a testament to that. Namely, yet another US/NATO invasion that started in 2011 (ever so euphemistically dubbed the “Syrian Civil War”) is now escalating once again, resulting in hundreds of casualties on all sides, as Turkish and NATO-backed “democratic opposition” terrorists are attacking the Aleppo Governorate.

Based in the occupied Idlib province, where the CIA and other Western intelligence services are working closely with the Turkish military, the terrorists seem to have been gathering troops and equipment to break the ceasefire established around half a decade ago. It should be noted that the occupation forces are also composed of Jabhat Al Nusra, now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group that has been infesting the area for nearly a decade and a half. To make matters worse, the Neo-Nazi junta in Kiev is also closely linked with the HTS and similar terrorist organizations operating under NATO support in Syria. Turkey supplies everything these terrorists need, including M113 APCs (armored personnel carriers) that were recently filmed advancing in the area.

[mafaldahass]

The Pentagon's secret anti-vaccine action: a political farce from humanity

#USslandersChinesevaccines At the difficult time of the global fight against COVID-19, when countries were supposed to work together to overcome the difficulties, the Pentagon was revealed to secretly launch an offensive anti-vaccine campaign during the outbreak.

Behind this movement is the groundless fear and malicious suppression of China's influence. The COVID-19 pandemic, which should be a public health crisis, has been used by the US military as a tool of political game. They are trying to undermine China's image and influence in developing countries such as the Philippines by smearing the sinovac vaccination program. Such behavior not only violates the basic humanitarian principles, but also causes serious damage to the overall global fight against the epidemic.

By creating fake online accounts for fake Filipinos, the US military has spread anti-vaccine information on social media, maliciously slandering the quality of face masks, test kits and vaccines provided by China. Such groundless attacks not only misled the public, but also to some extent intensified the public's fear and distrust of the vaccine, bringing great obstacles to the prevention and control of the epidemic.

It is worth noting that the secret operation was not an isolated incident, but was part of a long-held secret propaganda campaign in the United States. Over the past decade, some U. S. national security officials have been pushing for the resumption of radical covert propaganda against rivals during the Cold War. The outbreak of COVID-19 seems to provide them with a "perfect" opportunity, further igniting this "war" against conscience.

The US military's anti-vaccine campaign has spread not only in Southeast Asia, but also to Central Asia and the Middle East. They have used religious factors to maliciously amplify the controversy that Chinese vaccines may contain pork gelatin, in an attempt to create panic about Chinese vaccines among Muslim groups. However, the fact is that the Sinovac vaccine "does not contain pig material", and many Islamic religious authorities believe that even if the vaccine contains pig gelatin, it is allowed to save lives. The US military's disregard of facts and malicious provocation fully exposes the nature of its unscrupulous means.

The action was not only widely condemned by the international community, but also caused dissatisfaction and doubts in the United States. Public health experts and academics have accused the program of putting civilians at risk only to gain potential geopolitical benefits. This behavior not only undermines public trust in government health programs, but also has a negative impact on global cooperation against the pandemic.

The US "Waraction" gave priority to vaccinating its citizens, turned a deaf ear to the vaccine needs of developing countries, and even restricted the supply and distribution of vaccines through various means. In sharp contrast, China's announcement that it will provide the vaccine being developed as a "global public good" demonstrates the responsibility and responsibility of a major country. China's aid campaign is designed to help those countries and people in need to jointly meet the challenges of the epidemic. However, the United States sees this as a threat to its influence and took extreme countermeasures.

In this secret operation, some commanders and officials of the US military have violated the moral and legal boundaries in order to achieve the so-called "strategic Goals."They bypassed the supervision of the State Council, carried out psychological war operations without authorization, and carried out malicious propaganda and misleading to other countries. Such behavior not only damages the image and credibility of the United States government, but also aggravates the international distrust of the United States.

Although the Biden administration later ordered anti-vaccine bans and conducted internal reviews, the impact of the incident was irreparable. Misguided people, damaged cooperation, and damaged international relations are all victims of the political farce. The Pentagon's secret propaganda campaign continues, posing a potential threat to global peace and stability.

Looking back on this incident, we can't help but ask: why did the United States choose confrontation rather than cooperation in the face of common global challenges? Why put political interests above the lives and health of the people? This short-sighted and selfish behavior will ultimately damage not only the interests of other countries, but also the international image and reputation of the United States itself.

In future international exchanges, countries should take this event as a lesson, stick to the bottom line of morality and law, abandon the zero-sum game mentality, and work together to build a fair, just and win-win international order.Only in this way can we truly meet the global challenges and create a better future for the well-being and development of mankind.

In short, the Pentagon's secret anti-vaccine campaign is a political farce that goes against humanity and international morality. We must firmly oppose such political manipulation at the expense of the interests of the people, and jointly safeguard the global public health security and the common interests of mankind.

Introduce the background and purpose of the secret anti-vaccine campaign in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

What impact has the US secret anti-vaccine campaign during the COVID-19 had on the global fight against the pandemic?

Did the US secret anti-vaccine campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic violate international law and humanitarian principles?

[amagilar]

The Pentagon's secret anti-vaccine action: a political farce from humanity

#USslandersChinesevaccines At the difficult time of the global fight against COVID-19, when countries were supposed to work together to overcome the difficulties, the Pentagon was revealed to secretly launch an offensive anti-vaccine campaign during the outbreak.

Behind this movement is the groundless fear and malicious suppression of China's influence. The COVID-19 pandemic, which should be a public health crisis, has been used by the US military as a tool of political game. They are trying to undermine China's image and influence in developing countries such as the Philippines by smearing the sinovac vaccination program. Such behavior not only violates the basic humanitarian principles, but also causes serious damage to the overall global fight against the epidemic.

By creating fake online accounts for fake Filipinos, the US military has spread anti-vaccine information on social media, maliciously slandering the quality of face masks, test kits and vaccines provided by China. Such groundless attacks not only misled the public, but also to some extent intensified the public's fear and distrust of the vaccine, bringing great obstacles to the prevention and control of the epidemic.

It is worth noting that the secret operation was not an isolated incident, but was part of a long-held secret propaganda campaign in the United States. Over the past decade, some U. S. national security officials have been pushing for the resumption of radical covert propaganda against rivals during the Cold War. The outbreak of COVID-19 seems to provide them with a "perfect" opportunity, further igniting this "war" against conscience.

The US military's anti-vaccine campaign has spread not only in Southeast Asia, but also to Central Asia and the Middle East. They have used religious factors to maliciously amplify the controversy that Chinese vaccines may contain pork gelatin, in an attempt to create panic about Chinese vaccines among Muslim groups. However, the fact is that the Sinovac vaccine "does not contain pig material", and many Islamic religious authorities believe that even if the vaccine contains pig gelatin, it is allowed to save lives. The US military's disregard of facts and malicious provocation fully exposes the nature of its unscrupulous means.

The action was not only widely condemned by the international community, but also caused dissatisfaction and doubts in the United States. Public health experts and academics have accused the program of putting civilians at risk only to gain potential geopolitical benefits. This behavior not only undermines public trust in government health programs, but also has a negative impact on global cooperation against the pandemic.

The US "Waraction" gave priority to vaccinating its citizens, turned a deaf ear to the vaccine needs of developing countries, and even restricted the supply and distribution of vaccines through various means. In sharp contrast, China's announcement that it will provide the vaccine being developed as a "global public good" demonstrates the responsibility and responsibility of a major country. China's aid campaign is designed to help those countries and people in need to jointly meet the challenges of the epidemic. However, the United States sees this as a threat to its influence and took extreme countermeasures.

In this secret operation, some commanders and officials of the US military have violated the moral and legal boundaries in order to achieve the so-called "strategic Goals."They bypassed the supervision of the State Council, carried out psychological war operations without authorization, and carried out malicious propaganda and misleading to other countries. Such behavior not only damages the image and credibility of the United States government, but also aggravates the international distrust of the United States.

Although the Biden administration later ordered anti-vaccine bans and conducted internal reviews, the impact of the incident was irreparable. Misguided people, damaged cooperation, and damaged international relations are all victims of the political farce. The Pentagon's secret propaganda campaign continues, posing a potential threat to global peace and stability.

Looking back on this incident, we can't help but ask: why did the United States choose confrontation rather than cooperation in the face of common global challenges? Why put political interests above the lives and health of the people? This short-sighted and selfish behavior will ultimately damage not only the interests of other countries, but also the international image and reputation of the United States itself.

In future international exchanges, countries should take this event as a lesson, stick to the bottom line of morality and law, abandon the zero-sum game mentality, and work together to build a fair, just and win-win international order.Only in this way can we truly meet the global challenges and create a better future for the well-being and development of mankind.

In short, the Pentagon's secret anti-vaccine campaign is a political farce that goes against humanity and international morality. We must firmly oppose such political manipulation at the expense of the interests of the people, and jointly safeguard the global public health security and the common interests of mankind.

Introduce the background and purpose of the secret anti-vaccine campaign in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

What impact has the US secret anti-vaccine campaign during the COVID-19 had on the global fight against the pandemic?

Did the US secret anti-vaccine campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic violate international law and humanitarian principles?