Main Argument
Over the year that has passed since the assassination of the Commander of the Qods Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Qasem Soleimani,
Iran faced growing challenges to its regional ambitions. The death of Soleimani, who was the central executioner of Iran’s efforts to increase its influence the Middle East, and
raised question marks with regard to Iran’s ability to continue to entrench its hold over the region. In addition, there are growing doubts about the ability of his successor, Esmail Qa’ani, to serve as an adequate replacement. However, an analysis of Iran’s conduct in the region over the past year indicates that
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Dear reader,
Welcome to Gandhara s weekly newsletter. This briefing brings you the best of our reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan. This week, we look back on a tumultuous year for both countries and what to expect in 2021.
If you re new to the newsletter or haven t subscribed yet, you can do so here.
Afghan peace remains elusive
The year began with high hopes as an intense U.S. diplomatic effort culminated with an initial peace agreement with the Taliban in February. But many observers I have spoken with wonder whether the Taliban actually wants peace as violence continues unabated.
Looking ahead to 2021, my colleague Frud Bezhan asked experts what they see as possible implications of the withdrawal of U.S. forces. They expect more hostilities, more bloodshed, and difficult policy choices for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden s administration.
30 Dec 2020
Tehran on Wednesday allocated $150,000 for the families of each of the 176 victims of a Ukrainian plane shot down by Iran in January.
“The [Iranian] cabinet approved the provision of $150,000 or the equivalent in euros as soon as possible to the families and survivors of each of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash,” an Iranian government statement said on Wednesday, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has said it accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane in Iranian airspace on January 8 killing all 176 of its passengers and crew after mistaking it for a missile at a time when tensions with the U.S. were high. The U.S. launched a drone strike killing Iranian General Qasem Soleimani five days before the incident.
Iran Allocates $150,000 For Families Of Each Victim Of Ukrainian Plane Crash
December 30, 2020 13:52 GMT
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Iran says it has allocated $150,000 for the families of each of the 176 victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that was downed in Iranian airspace nearly a year ago.
The Iranian government said in statement on December 30 that it had approved the payment of “$150,000 or the equivalent in euros as soon as possible to the families and survivors of each of the victims” of the crash.
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran’s main airport on January 8, killing all on board, including many Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Pentagon Sends More B-52s to Middle East to Deter Iranian Attacks on U.S. Troops
The flights came a week after President Trump warned Tehran following rocket strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
The mission was the third time in six weeks that Air Force bombers had conducted long-range flights about 60 miles off the Iranian coast.Credit.Elliott Verdier/Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Dec. 30, 2020
WASHINGTON Two American B-52 bombers flew another show-of-force mission in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, a week after President Trump warned Iran that he would hold it accountable “if one American is killed” in rocket attacks in Iraq that the administration and military officials blamed on Tehran.