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Vietnam has emerged most clearly against China's claims over the South China Sea. It also received armament from America. This includes the Coast Guard patrol boats. Before meeting with Vietnam's defines minister in Hanoi on Thursday, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said the United States was not asking Vietnam to choose between a specific countries. But one of the main goals is to make sure Partners and partners have the freedom to determine their own future.
Before coming to Vietnam Austin gave a keynote address in Singapore on Tuesday, where he addressed China's behaviour that the United States sees as undermining stability. From the Taiwan issue to the South China Sea, but reiterated that America does not want to face China. But expect a constructive and stable relationship. This includes communicating with the Chinese People's Army to resolve the crisis. However, during a visit to China by US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at the beginning of the week Beijing has accused Washington made China into “Imaginary enemies” to divert attention from domestic problems including a frame to discriminate against China.
By WatthanaHinnok
In reflection of growing bilateral ties between India and the US External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday held wide ranging talks covering the situation in Afghanistan Indo-Pacific engagements COVID-19 response mechanism and ways to strengthen regional security.
At a joint media briefing, Blinken said there are few relationships in the world that are more vital than the one between the US and India.
At the same time he said as the world's leading democracies, we take seriously our responsibilities towards freedom equality and opportunity to all of our people
He said actions by India and the US shape the 21st century and beyond, and that is why strengthening partnership with India is one of the top foreign policy priorities of the US.
Referring to Afghanistan Blinken said,both India and the US are committed to the proposition that there is no military solution to the conflict in that country asserting that there has to be a peaceful resolution that requires the Taliban and the Afghan government to come to the negotiating table.
By Deng Daniel
KrystsinaTsimanuouskaya, a Belarusian athlete, is at a standoff with her own nation. The athlete criticized her country’s management after she was registered in the wrong category at the Tokyo Olympics. She has refused the “forced” flight hone, and went to the Poland embassy in Japan. The embassy made a statement that the athlete has been offered a “humanitarian visa” and can freely pursue her career in sports in Poland if she wishes.
Tsimanuouskaya’s refused to board the flight to Belarus. She informed on her Instagram handle that at 5pm, her team’s head coach came to her and asked her to pack her bags. She was taken to the airport to board a flight home. However, she refused to board the plane. This incident has brought spotlight on Belarus which is run by a tight leash by its President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian Olympic Committee gave a statement that the player was removed owing to her emotional and psychological state. However, Tsimanuouskaya informed the media that no checkup was done, and she is absolutely fine both emotionally and psychologically. IOC has assured to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of the athlete.
By ShreyaGautam
A major event that occurred this week which sparked a lot of discussions was Olympics athlete Simone Biles withdrawing from the Olympics after reaching the finals in order to focus on mental health.
The American gymnast faced a lot of criticism for withdrawing with people saying that she did not fight for a medal for her country. Despite of all the criticism she stood her ground and defended her decision stating that her mind and body were not in sync for her to be able to perform her best.
Simone Biles also received some praises for her decision as she put herself and her mental health ahead of the Olympics. Her decision has ignited a conversation on the importance of prioritising mental health over everything else and she will be looked upon as an icon for the same.
By Srishti Singh
With the withdrawal of U.S. and the coalition military forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban launched an offensive in June. More than 85,000 fighters are fighting for Taliban. Until now Afghanistan’s 90% borders are under Taliban’s control. Afghanistan’s hundred districts have fallen victim to Taliban’s terror attacks. Taliban has taken over Kandahar’s Spin Boldak border connecting with Pakistan.
Taliban has been accused of killing more than 33 civilians of Kandahar earlier this week. Taliban fighters are identifying residents, journalists and social activists who have worked for the local government. According to the local reports, Taliban has evicted such 300 civilians in Kandahar and have detained them in unnamed locations. Around 46 Afghanistan soldiers have sought refuge in Pakistan after losing military control across the borders due to Taliban insurgency.
According to UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report, in the first of 2021 around 1,659 civilians were killed and 3,254 were wounded in Afghanistan. The United Nations has warned that, Afghanistan will witness highest number of deaths if Taliban’s offensives do not halt.
The U.S. military will be out of Afghanistan by 31st August 2021. However, the U.S. has agreed to carry out air strikes in Afghanistan against Talibani attacks. Meanwhile, Taliban is extending its friendship ties with China and Russia. The two important stakeholders in South Asia include India and Pakistan. India has adopted the wait and watch strategy, whereas, Pakistan has been accused for supporting Taliban fighters.
The question of the hour is whether the Afghanistan government or perhaps any other International power will be able to prevent the Taliban.
By PriyankaRane