Afghan Commentary Post

    By Wahab Raofi The Biden administration’s decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan was hailed by some as the end of America’s longest war, but its repercussions continue to unfold. Donald Trump, preparing to take office in January, has made Afghanistan a key talking point, sharply criticizing the withdrawal as a strategic blunder. During his campaign, Trump emphasized the significance of Bagram Airfield, citing its proximity to China — a nation he views as America’s foremost adversary. “They also gave up Bagram, one of the biggest bases in the world. I liked it because of China. It’s one hour away from where China makes their nuclear weapons,” Trump said. His critique underscores a broader concern: did the U.S. relinquish a critical strategic foothold by pulling out entirely? As a registered Republican who did not vote for Trump, I nonetheless agree with his assessment that a contingency force at Bagram should have been retained. Such a presence coul...

  Reform, Don’t Deport: Fixing Immigration Laws Mass Deportations Could Result in Severe Damage to U.S Economy By Wahab Raofi Donald Trump has long been known for making outrageous statements, but what seemed shocking in 2011, such as questioning Barack Obama’s birthplace, now feels almost quaint compared to his rhetoric in 2024. Immigrants are no longer just “criminals and rapists” in his words; they are now accused of “poisoning the blood of our country.” Chants of “build the wall!” have been replaced with “send them back!” In the MAGA world, legal immigrants from Haiti are even falsely said to be eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, as noted in The Economist . During his current election campaign, Trump vowed to crack down on immigration, echoing   policies from his first term. He proposes mass deportations of the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States, citing 2022 data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ...