Eurotopics.net

Following the Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan, European commentators are fundamentally questioning Western involvement in Islamic countries. Is "exporting democracy " a laudable endeavour? A hopeless mission? Or even an imperialist presumption?

At their impromptu meeting on Wednesday, the EU interior ministers could not agree on a joint approach to taking in refugees from Afghanistan. The focus keeps returning to the possibilities for relocation in Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. Is the EU shirking its responsibilities?

After the earthquake in Haiti last weekend, the aid agency Unicef estimates that at least 15 million US dollars are needed to meet the most urgent needs of those affected. Since many localities can only be reached by air, aid deliveries are arriving very slowly. In the face of this disaster, Europe's press debates how sustainable international emergency aid is.

From the end of October, Austrians will be able to buy a state-subsidised annual ticket entitling them to nationwide public transport for around 1,000 euros. The Green Minister of Climate Action, Leonore Gewessler, hopes that the new "climate ticket" will encourage people to switch from cars to buses and trains. But not all Austria's states are on board - Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland have yet to give their consent.

Thousands of people have converged on Kabul airport in a desperate attempt to board planes leaving the country. Video footage shows people running alongside the aircraft and even clinging to them as they take off. The evacuation flights of Western countries had to be suspended after several people died doing this. Journalists stress that people are desperate and predict that a wave of refugees from Afghanistan will soon reach Europe.