Afghanistan deadline

[Rockstar]

Yes people are talking about it but so bleeping what? So far it’s only been pledges and promises. Unfortunately even interpreters don’t believe any of it. Most if not all of the visa administration processing points have already been evacuated and abandoned.

Though we still have corporate security forces there and some personnel with access to drone and air strike coordination.

[Jimbuna]

Time to take Afghanistan off my vacation list me thinks.

There's a wealth of military assets within its walls; but that treasure is a top target for Taliban, not to mention corrupt commanders and others eying this fortune.

[August]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Not so.

Well it's good to hear that there is at least a plan. Given what the guy in this video and Rockstar said do you think they have a chance in pulling it off?

[mapuc]

Is it to much to hope that our elected politicians will not think twice but three and four times before thinking of invading an another country.

'cause this one have been a big failure.

Markus

[August]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Is it to much to hope that our elected politicians will not think twice but three and four times before thinking of invading an another country.

'cause this one have been a big failure.

Markus

Depends on what you define as victory Markus. Surely the survival of the present Afghan government was not among it's initial objectives right? As I recall we went into Afghanistan to destroy Al Quaeda operations in that country and to get 911 mastermind bin Laden. Both of those objectives were achieved. This nation building stuff was a new goal added on later mainly just as an excuse to stay there and keep feeding the military industrial complex.

[3catcircus]

Originally Posted by August

Depends on what you define as victory Markus. Surely the survival of the present Afghan government was not among it's initial objectives right? As I recall we went into Afghanistan to destroy Al Quaeda operations in that country and to get 911 mastermind bin Laden. Both of those objectives were achieved. This nation building stuff was a new goal added on later mainly just as an excuse to stay there and keep feeding the military industrial complex.

This. 20 years. $$Trillions. Thousands of deaths or injuries. And we're right back where we started with murderous Taliban thugs brutally oppressing the country and its people.

It won't stop there - there will be continued insurgencies in SW Asia and ME for decades.

[Otto Harkaman]

Worked great when it was just small special forces units helping local militias against each other but when the regular troops surged in the outcome was inevitable. We tend to invade countries without "Moral Law"

[3catcircus]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

Worked great when it was just small special forces units helping local militias against each other but when the regular troops surged in the outcome was inevitable. We tend to invade countries without "Moral Law"

It's not even that. It's that the political leadership relies upon military leaders who are incapable of actually leading with the intent to win a war. They're happy to get embedded like a tick to keep the $$ flowing...

[3catcircus]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

Don't quote me if you have no idea what I'm talking about. Even the greatest military leader, Alexander the Great couldn't hold onto the region.

Oh, I understand. But previous invaders went in with the intent to win, capture the region, etc.

The US hasn't fought a war with the *intent* to win since Korea. What was it intent in Afghan? Capture OBL and punish the savages who flew planes into buildings.

Those savages are still there, controlling more than 50% of the country.

OBL was hiding in plain sight and wasn't taken out until he was no longer necessary as a political bogeyman.

If our intent was actually achieved, Afghan in 2020 should look like a modernized version of Afghan in the 1960s.

Politically-motivated military leaders with a cabal of neocons pissed it all away over the past 20 years.

[Rockstar]

Well before we all start going on about how Afghanistan is lost, quagmire, blah blah. Keep in mind we (the U.S.) have had decent relations with the Taliban in the past. The Taliban also desire diplomatic recognition and believe it or not have tried to conform to international community standards. Though admittedly they still seem to have a long way to go.

https://www.usip.org/sites/default/f...ecognition.pdf


Interesting too is the fact that they are not mentioned anywhere in our National Strategy For Counter Terrorism.

https://www.dni.gov/index.php/featur...unterterrorism

[Otto Harkaman]

I haven't read about Afghanistan in the 1960s

I did enjoy reading Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, FRSGS book "Forty-one years in India, from subaltern to commander-in-chief" years ago with its description of The Battle of Kandahar and defeat of Ayub Khan, 9/1/1880

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, FRSGS book

You're sure you did not miss something?

[Otto Harkaman]

Originally Posted by Skybird

You're sure you did not miss something?

Probably



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freder...t_Earl_Roberts

[Catfish]

re the Beau video
"They did not call it "OPERATION NEW LIFE II"
That made me laugh at first, but then i choked.

"The deal to leave was made before Biden."
Doing it all wrong for the right causes.. no understanding, no empathy.

[Otto Harkaman]

China makes her move with "Belt & Road" program
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...d-program.html