Suicide bomber targets Kabul education center, killing 19
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
The Facts
On Wednesday, a Taliban-appointed spokesman said that a bombing in a mosque on the grounds of Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior compound in Kabul claimed the lives of at least four worshippers and injured another 25.
Visitors and some ministry employees were praying at the mosque when the blast went off, reportedly caused by a suicide bomber who detonated a device.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Since the Taliban took over, Afghanistan has increasingly descended into chaos. The looming humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse provide the perfect breeding ground for terrorist groups, not only posing a growing threat to innocent Afghans but also targeting the international community. To prevent further destabilization, a UN peacekeeping force is required to promote a peace process among all Afghans.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's shortsighted only to blame the Taliban for escalating violence when the country was already descending into anarchy, and the Islamic State was on the rise before the US withdrawal. This was also fostered because Washington never developed a coherent political and economic strategy for Afghanistan. With international aid funds now being cut and the US freezing billions in Afghan assets, the situation will only worsen due to Western failures.
