Biden Theft of Starving Afghans’ Treasure a Humanitarian Crime

 

by Walt Zlotow 

Posted onFebruary 13, 2022

The Afghan economy has crashed into ruin from 20 years of U.S. warfare. The UN’s World Food Program estimates 23 million of Afghanistan’s 40 million people face starvation. The economy is in free-fall, putting Afghanistan into humanitarian crisis.

But the Biden administration is fueling Afghanistan’s descent into darkness by holding $7 billion in Afghan funds in the Federal Reserve. That represents the entire reserve of the Afghan central bank; cash desperately needed to restart the Afghan economy.

Instead of releasing those assets forthwith, Biden is committing outright theft of $3.5 billion to set aside for victims of the 911 attacks. The other half being withheld will go into a trust fund to be doled out for Afghan relief as the US sees fit. Meanwhile Afghans die every day from lack of food and medicine.

Both actions are illegal and unconscionable. But the $3.5 billion set aside for 911 victims instead of Afghans represents a humanitarian crime.

The Biden administration, still suffering humiliation from losing a war that should never have been fought, seeks vengeance against the Taliban victors. Besides the withholding of $7 billion, we still impose sanctions on the Taliban government further crippling their ability to conduct trade with foreign governments and businesses unwilling to incur our wrath.

The chances US theft of Afghan assets and continued sanctions have of overthrowing the Taliban government? Zero. The chances that policy will kill thousands of innocent Afghans? 100%.

Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.

https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2022/02/13/biden-theft-of-starving-afghans-treasure-a-humanitarian-crime/