For Tauheed Khan, soaring above Kabul in his cargo plane was a moment of immense pride. “I flew over my childhood home,” he recalled. “The joy was indescribable.”

Khan was among the Afghan Air Force (AAF) pilots who played a crucial role in the 20-year U.S.-led war against the Taliban, carrying out airstrikes alongside American forces. However, after the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, the Taliban swiftly regained control, leaving pilots like Khan at grave risk.

Now, stranded in Pakistan with his family, Khan lives in constant fear of retaliation from the very forces he once fought against. And with anti-migrant policies tightening in both Washington and Islamabad, time is running out for a safe escape.

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks, toppling the Taliban and ushering in a period of democratic reforms and improved rights for women. Yet, conflict continued, especially in rural areas, leading to tens of thousands of casualties. By 2021, as the U.S. withdrew and relied more on Afghan forces, civilian deaths surged to over 5,000 in just six months.

The rapid collapse of the Afghan military and government enabled the Taliban’s return. According to Human Rights Watch, those affiliated with the former government remain at high risk, facing extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests.

Afghan pilots became high-profile targets due to their visibility in local communities. “Eight to ten of my colleagues were assassinated in targeted attacks,” Khan recounted.

Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, a coalition aiding Afghan allies, emphasized the betrayal these pilots face: “They risked everything for America. Now their lives are on the line due to our broken promises.”

Khan’s friend, aviation engineer Khapalwaka, lived under constant threat for his role in intelligence and reconnaissance operations. Forced to relocate every few months for safety, he now struggles to survive in Pakistan, selling firewood to support his family. “I fear the Taliban’s reach even here,” he said. “I just want my daughters to have an education.”

The Taliban, however, denies targeting former pilots. “They are an asset to Afghanistan,” spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told CNN. “Some have already returned and are serving the nation.”

Khan currently resides in a cramped apartment in Islamabad, his children sleeping on the floor under worn blankets. He fled to Pakistan in March 2022, following advice from his U.S. trainer. Initially, he followed the steps of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), finally securing an interview at the U.S. embassy in April 2023. Since then, he has heard nothing.

Policy shifts under former President Donald Trump have worsened his prospects. Executive orders have halted refugee admissions and cut funding for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders. According to #AfghanEvac, at least 2,000 Afghans who had already been approved for resettlement are now in limbo. Reports suggest an expanded travel ban may soon include Afghanistan.

Pakistan, historically home to millions of Afghan refugees, has become increasingly hostile toward migrants. Since October 2023, authorities have intensified crackdowns, and in February 2024, Pakistan announced the repatriation of all Afghans bound for third-country resettlement by March 31.

Abbas Khan, Pakistan’s chief commissioner for Afghan refugees, justified the move, stating, “We simply don’t have the resources to support migrants in transit.”

For pilots like Jawad Ahmed, the deadline brings dread. A former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Ahmed said, “Every day blends into the next. I fear for my family’s safety because of my past military service.” He, too, has been in limbo for two years after completing a U.S. immigration interview in May 2024.

“Pakistani police are arresting Afghan neighbors,” he added. “My children are overwhelmed with fear.”

Returning to Afghanistan is not an option. “Only death, difficulties, and horrors await us,” Ahmed stated.

His family in Afghanistan has assumed new identities to stay safe. “It’s as if I never existed,” he said. “Nobody knows I was their son or brother.”

A U.S. Air Force pilot who worked with Afghan aviators admitted that abandoned allies weigh heavily on service members. “We fear for them. We have anxiety about their futures,” he said. Vandiver echoed these concerns, warning that leaving Afghan allies behind sends a chilling message to potential future partners in Ukraine, Taiwan, and elsewhere.

“China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are going to exploit this failure,” Vandiver said.

The U.S. embassy in Pakistan stated that they remain in communication with Islamabad regarding Afghan resettlement, but for Khan and his fellow pilots, time is running out.

As the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr nears, a time traditionally filled with joy and family gatherings, Khan and his 27 fellow Afghan pilots and engineers can only dream of stability. They long for proper beds, education for their children, and a way out of limbo.

“We are suffocating with fear,” Khan said. “We don’t know what will happen to us.”

Their plea to the U.S. government remains desperate and urgent: “You trained us. We stood with you. Now, for the love of God, get us out of here.”

Source: CNN – Afghan pilots who fought in 20-year war against Taliban in limbo after Trump blocks US resettlement plans

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President Biden Grants Clemency to Over 1,500 Americans in a Single Day

In a historic move, President Joe Biden issued 39 presidential pardons and commuted nearly 1,500 sentences, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history. The individuals granted clemency were primarily convicted of non-violent crimes, with many showing significant rehabilitation and contributions to their communities.

Focus on Rehabilitation and Justice Reform

President Biden emphasized that the clemency recipients had demonstrated successful rehabilitation and a commitment to strengthening their communities.

• 39 Pardons: These included individuals convicted of non-violent offenses, such as a Virginia resident who, after serving a sentence for a drug offense at 21, pursued a degree, built a career in the military, and volunteered for veteran support organizations.
• 1,499 Sentence Commutations: Many of these individuals had been placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic or had sentences deemed excessively long under outdated laws.

Biden stated, “These individuals have shown they deserve a second chance.”

Expanding Clemency Efforts

This announcement aligns with Biden’s previous actions to address systemic inequities in sentencing and criminal justice reform:

• October 2022: Biden issued sweeping pardons for simple marijuana possession and later expanded this to include other marijuana-related offenses.
• Military and Veterans’ Pardons: Earlier this year, he granted clemency to military personnel convicted of crimes linked to their sexual orientation.

Hunter Biden Pardon Sparks Debate

Among the clemency actions, Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for charges of tax fraud and gun crimes stirred controversy. While Biden previously ruled out this possibility, he later asserted that the cases were politically motivated. Critics argue this move reflects a broader trend of presidents granting clemency to individuals close to them, a practice seen in previous administrations, including Trump’s.

Looking Ahead

Biden hinted at more clemency actions in the coming weeks, as his presidency approaches its conclusion in January 2025. Meanwhile, discussions continue about potential pre-emptive pardons for prominent critics of his successor, Donald Trump, raising concerns about the precedent such actions might set.

Trump’s Clemency Record and Promises

Former President Trump, who granted 237 acts of clemency during his term, recently pledged to pardon individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. In an interview, he claimed, “A vast majority should not be in jail, and they’ve suffered gravely.”

Political Context and Developments

As Biden’s clemency actions unfold, unrelated political developments have added to the intrigue:

• Ex-FBI Informant’s Admission: Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, pleaded guilty to fabricating claims of bribery involving Biden and his son, undercutting Republican accusations of corruption tied to Burisma.
• Clemency Trends: The Pew Research Center notes that clemency actions, particularly in the final days of a presidency, are a long-standing tradition, underscoring their political and social complexities.

Impact and Legacy

President Biden’s record-breaking clemency reflects a focus on justice reform and rehabilitation, but it has also ignited debates over the use and potential misuse of presidential pardons. As the nation awaits his next steps, the impact of these decisions will likely shape his legacy in criminal justice and beyond.

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Veterans Day is a U.S. holiday honoring all American veterans, celebrated this year on Monday, November 11, 2024. This day traces back to World War I, when on the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918, a temporary ceasefire, known as an armistice, was agreed upon between the Allied nations and Germany. Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was established in 1938 as a federal holiday in the United States. Following World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day evolved into what we now know as Veterans Day, honoring all who served.

History of Armistice Day

World War I formally ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, yet November 11, 1918, remained symbolic as the day the war’s hostilities ceased. A year later, in November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson marked the first Armistice Day in the U.S. with parades, public gatherings, and a pause in business and school at 11 a.m. to remember those who served.

On November 11, 1921, the U.S. honored an unidentified American soldier from the war with burial at Arlington National Cemetery, mirroring tributes in the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey and in France at the Arc de Triomphe. To this day, red poppies—symbols popularized by the World War I poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae—are worn in Canada and the U.K. on Remembrance Day as a tribute to veterans.

In 1926, Congress passed a resolution calling for annual Armistice Day observances that encouraged peace and goodwill. By 1938, Congress officially made November 11 a federal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace” and designated as Armistice Day.

Transition to Veterans Day

During World War II, the United States saw its largest mobilization of military forces, with over 16 million people serving. In 1954, veterans’ organizations campaigned to honor all who served, not just those in World War I. This led Congress to amend the 1938 act, renaming “Armistice Day” as “Veterans Day.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the change into law, officially making November 11 a day to honor all American veterans.

In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act aimed to create three-day weekends by shifting federal holiday observances to Mondays. Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October, but this change was met with resistance from many states. By 1978, public sentiment led President Gerald Ford to restore November 11 as the fixed date for Veterans Day observance. If November 11 falls on a weekend, the federal holiday is observed on the closest weekday.

Veterans Day Observances in Other Countries

November 11 is also observed in Canada, Australia, France, and Great Britain. Canada commemorates Remembrance Day, while Great Britain holds Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday of November. In Commonwealth countries, it is customary to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11 to honor the fallen.

Veterans Day Traditions in the U.S.

In the United States, a traditional wreath-laying ceremony takes place each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Across the country, parades and ceremonies honor veterans’ service.

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, which honors those who died in military service or from battle-related injuries. Veterans Day is dedicated to recognizing all veterans—living and deceased—while especially giving thanks to those still with us today for their honorable service during times of war and peace.

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