At this point, Afghanistan is beginning to rival Haiti as the most godforsaken country on Earth…
Heavy rain and strong winds were frustrating search and rescue efforts late Wednesday after a massive earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 1,000 and injuring more than 1,600, government officials said.
A sudden downpour washed away roads leading to some of the hardest-hit areas in Paktika province, according to doctors at the main hospital in the capital city of Sharana. “There are hundreds injured still in their villages without aid or shelter, but they cannot leave because of the flooded roads,” said one of the doctors, Kamran Khan.
(The Washington Post, June 22, 2022)
Of course, we all knew the sight of American soldiers retreating from Kabul, the way they retreated from Hanoi, portended dire consequences. Except that, most of us “only” feared the return of Taliban strictures against Afghan women so repressive, they would make the women of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ look liberated.
iPINIONS did not anticipate sectarian violence between the Taliban and ISIS in Afghanistan would make perennial warfare between Sunni and Shia in Iraq look like a neighborhood squabble. Or worse that, according to the World Food Program, 95 percent of Afghans not having enough food to eat.
And now this for God’s sake!
Related commentaries:
Purgatory: Haiti…
Legacy Note: With over 5,600 posts spanning 20 years, I am easily the most prolific blogger on the most eclectic array of topics on the web. That makes The iPINIONS Journal an unparalleled archive of informed political and cultural commentary. Visit the ARCHIVES section in the sidebar or search by topic. You won’t find a more consistent, independent voice on world affairs.