What right does one country have to freeze the assets of another one?
What about when the country sanctioned is undergoing a major crisis?
These are the questions we have to ask about what the U.S. has been doing to Afghanistan.
In my previous article, I’ve pointed to the grim predictions that various aid agencies as well as UN bodies have given us about Afghanistan. I also asked three questions about the frozen Afghan funds: who’s holding them, how could they be released, and what would that mean to the people of Afghanistan? There is an excellent video inside of this article that I highly recommend you watch.
Now, just last week, on February 11th, President Biden announced he would release half of the Afghan funds to aid agencies while another half will be attrbuted to the victims of 9/11.
At this point, we have to ask even more questions – and we have not to be afraid to make loud statemens, to make normative (value) judgements, and to even more strongly than before condemn what the U.S. is going with the Afghan money.
This is what I do in my podcast episode.
I describe how the situation on the ground in Afghanistan is being presented, I quickly summarise what has been happening with the Afghan funds, and why we have to question this recent move by President Biden.
Inevitably, touch upon the topic of sanctions that I promise to more thoroughly (as it is a huge topic) explore in my upcoming episodes.
I do say that there are many ways we can stand with the Afghan people. Here is a petition by my organisation, CODEPINK, that calls for President Biden to release all the funds to Afghanistan.
Also, here is a video I simply HAVE to share:
Latest from the Blog
Will The Fragile Democracy of Brazil Survive?
As voters in Brazil are choosing their representatives today, choosing their president can determine the country’s direction in ways that go beyond a specific party.
This election is extremely important not only because Brazil is a presidential republic (meaning, its president has significant powers) and world’s 12th economy. It’s because, to put it plainly, if Lula wins, the are fears of Bolsonaro not taking his political loss as leaders in democracies do – and that would have significant consequences for Brazil and the rest of the world.
The Women in Iran Have Had Enough And It’s Time To Support Them
What we’re seeing in Iran are widespread protests after the death of a young women, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Iran’s moral police.
This looks like the beginning of a revolution. We have to believe in and stand with the women of Iran.
Our Politics and Our Societies Are Literally Making Us Sick – But It’s Not Just About Pollution
Our environment is making us sick.
And it’s not only the pollution and the toxins we are already aware of. These are the traumas we experience and pass on. Listen to how Dr. Gabor Maté, a trauma expert, explains it with so much compassion.
The People of Pakistan Are Paying The Price For Our Ignorance
And although we have to do everything we can to help the people of Pakistan now, the bigger story is not about this country. This tragedy – a man-made disaster – is a harsh reminder that the people who are most contributing to our climate emergency are not necessarily the ones who are paying the price.
Gaza: New Killings, Old Narratives
What is there to say after Israel’s most recent bombing of Gaza?
No matter how heart-breaking this devastation was, it didn’t reveal anything new about how Israel operates – nor how the world reacts when Palestinians under siege are being killed.
If We’re Not Concerned for Julian Assange, We’re Not Concerned for Press Freedom
A publisher locked up for exposing war crimes of the empire — and all done in our name.
This is what has been happening to Julian Assange for the last ten years.
It is something huge, criminal, and extremely concerning. If you’re not following it or aren’t concerned about it, you should be.
President Biden Doesn’t Have a Problem with Apartheid, Nor With Human Rights Violations
Joe Biden is on a trip to the Middle East: he’s visiting Israel and Saudi Arabia. What this shows is how little respect – if at all – his presidency has for human rights. Apartheid, military occupation, killings of civilians, murdering of journalists – everything goes. And there is definitely no room for Palestinian human rights.
What Just Happened in Ecuador?
The people of Ecuador have just had a national strike – and won!
After more than two weeks of country-wide protests, the current government has agreed to meet their demands.
What was happening there and why?
To answer these questions, hear what two journalists reporting on Ecuador have to say.
Violence Against Women Is Very Much Real – And It Takes Various Forms
We’d like to believe that we’re all on the march towards gender equality and ending gender-based violence – and in a way, we are – but its setbacks are obvious and horrifying.
They’re about women’s rights to their bodies, to making their own choices, and to making those choices without fear for their safety.
Israeli State Violence Can’t Be More Obvious – Not Acknowledging It Is Purely A Choice
Although it was never “hidden” for the ones who are interested in Palestine, Israeli state violence can’t be more obvious now. Not to acknowledge it is not a matter of access to knowledge; it’s a matter of choice.
Don’t miss an update! Follow The Exploding Head
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Justina Poskeviciute 
2 thoughts on “What Do We Have To Know About The Frozen Afghan Funds?”