Wars & Rumours of Wars

wwkirk

Divine
Blinken is an idiot..


Up to 1.5K Americans including 23 California students are STRANDED in Afghanistan: Blinken BLAMES American citizens for not leaving earlier as CIA start helicopter rescue missions

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There are 1,500 Americans still desperate to leave Afghanistan, the State Department announced after numerous critics demanded the Biden administration make the number public. It comes after House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy said the image of Joe Biden turning his back without answering questions on Tuesday would 'define' his presidency and accused him of abandoning Americans and allies in Afghanistan. Fellow Republican lawmakers have said Biden is allowing the Taliban to dictate terms of the evacuation. Thousands of people are still converging on the airport in the Afghan capital hoping to escape the Taliban and amid fears of an attack from the Islamic State offshoot ISIS-K. Biden said he would only pull troops by August 31 if Taliban fighters allow safe passage, but the Taliban has ignored the president's threats and are beating up people trying to leave, according to reports, and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have said there isn't enough time to get everyone out. The US military also launched a nighttime mission to recover people from outside the airport to bring them inside the NATO-held facility for evacuation, the Pentagon revealed Wednesday.

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I don't believe Americans in Afghanistan were given prior warning about the withdrawal, and if they were any distance from the Kabul airport, it has obviously been difficult or impossible to get there qiuickly - or at all.

I'm alarmed by the administration using language such as those Americans who wish to leave. It sounds like groundwork for claiming that any American left behind wanted to remain. Commonsense dictates that only a minute fraction of people would want to remain behind as a tyrannical regime tightens its noose around an entire society.

I also don't trust the State Department's numbers. But maybe that's just me.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
I'm alarmed by the administration using language such as those Americans who wish to leave. It sounds like groundwork for claiming that any American left behind wanted to remain. Commonsense dictates that only a minute fraction of people would want to remain behind as a tyrannical regime tightens its noose around an entire society.
It's not a good choice of words and as you said could imply the attitude of "any American left behind wanted to remain" which would be disturbing if I hear this administration say that or something similar...If any Americans are left behind it's likely they will be caught by the Taliban or ISIS and we may see them on the news as hostages or worse...We've shown great weakness to the world with this Afghan mess and have emboldened the islamic terrorists whom I've been referring to as barbarians...

I also don't trust the State Department's numbers. But maybe that's just me.
I think there's more Americans as well as many western citizens stranded than what the State department claims, I don't believe them...I don't think they have any idea who's left to get out because it wasn't orderly so they could properly account for everyone...Surely there's at least one government department that has a record of any and all American citizens residing in any given country?...

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nivek

As Above So Below
 

nivek

As Above So Below
 

nivek

As Above So Below
White House in chaos struggles to keep Biden on time

President Biden is struggling to provide a message of strength and confidence amid international scorn and uncertainty over his handling of the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan — showing up late to speeches, refusing to answer reporters' questions, and largely avoiding the White House press corps ever since Taliban insurgents took over the country in a matter of days.

Biden's remarks Tuesday from the White House were delayed more than four hours after being rescheduled twice, and the U.S. evacuation effort in Afghanistan was the last topic he addressed after touting his Build Back Better agenda.


(More on the link)

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Sheltie

Fratty and out of touch.
It just gets worse and worse... I was watching The Weather Channel today and they said there is a disturbance in the Caribbean that has an 80% chance of turning into an organized system. The current path has it making landfall between Texas and Louisiana. This one will miss the islands and the conditions are much more conducive for development.

This could evolve into another opportunity for our leadership to demonstrate its incompetence.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
'Make a run for the border... if you think you can make it': UK tells stranded Afghans NOT to come to the airport as troops begin to pack up and leave thousands behind after Joe Biden's betrayal

(Excerpts)

It comes amid reports that desperate Britons and Afghans cleared for evacuation are still trapped in Kabul and are being charged more than £5,000 by local 'private security firms' to help them escape the clutches of the Taliban. The firms are reportedly charging $7,500 dollars (approximately £5,500) to give those willing to pay a safe passage past Taliban fighters and to Kabul airport. But most of the money is actually being used to pay off the Taliban anyway, say UK defence sources.
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A US order that Britain must pull out its 1,000 soldiers and officials before the US begins its withdrawal has reduced the time available to process the final claims. US commanders have also insisted on ‘two to three days’ to conduct a unilateral extraction of their 6,000-strong force, meaning the last UK troops are expected to fly out on Sunday. The order came as the Taliban further tightened its grip on the airport, using checkpoints to block anyone not holding the necessary paperwork and demanding bribes from those who did. Afghans and foreign citizens suffered beatings.

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Dejan Corovic

As above, so bellow
Has Europe created a unified military force or are they still relying on member nations to give when needed?...

Are member nations allowed to control and move their respective military forces at will or do they need permission from Brussels first?...

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Its all talk, maybe there is one brigade at a best. EU member states don't really want to commit any money to military expense. Most of small EU countries have military budgets around 1%, which is really low.
 

HAL9000

Honorable
Nivek,

..Surely there's at least one government department that has a record of any and all American citizens residing in any given country?...

Possibly not.

One government spokesman was saying that as Americans do not have to register when they go to other countries, including Afghanistan, there is no way of knowing exactly how many are there. This would apply particularly if they did not go there directly.

Apparently Americans do not have to register because it contravenes their human rights.
 

AD1184

Celestial
Blinken is an idiot..


Up to 1.5K Americans including 23 California students are STRANDED in Afghanistan: Blinken BLAMES American citizens for not leaving earlier as CIA start helicopter rescue missions

964x580_JPG-SINGLE_5110452564169898781.jpg


There are 1,500 Americans still desperate to leave Afghanistan, the State Department announced after numerous critics demanded the Biden administration make the number public. It comes after House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy said the image of Joe Biden turning his back without answering questions on Tuesday would 'define' his presidency and accused him of abandoning Americans and allies in Afghanistan. Fellow Republican lawmakers have said Biden is allowing the Taliban to dictate terms of the evacuation. Thousands of people are still converging on the airport in the Afghan capital hoping to escape the Taliban and amid fears of an attack from the Islamic State offshoot ISIS-K. Biden said he would only pull troops by August 31 if Taliban fighters allow safe passage, but the Taliban has ignored the president's threats and are beating up people trying to leave, according to reports, and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have said there isn't enough time to get everyone out. The US military also launched a nighttime mission to recover people from outside the airport to bring them inside the NATO-held facility for evacuation, the Pentagon revealed Wednesday.

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Well, you have to question the sense of any American, and other foreign, citizens left stranded in the country who were not performing some official duty in being where they are.

Trump signed a formal surrender agreement with the Taliban at the end of February of last year, with a 14 month timescale for withdrawal. That means it was due to be complete by May of this year. Biden extended the deadline in April to the 11th of September--despite the Taliban's objections, it should be added--before bringing it slightly forward to the 31st of August in early July. The Taliban stepped up their attacks in the spring. On the 6th of August, they took control of their first province.

I would say that any foreigner who was in Afghanistan of their own free will and who is still there and looking to get out bears a significant responsibility for their own predicament. Were they not keeping abreast of events?
 
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AD1184

Celestial
This melodrama that has been unfolding over the past couple of weeks has has got my hackles up:

Ex-marine stuck with 173 dogs and cats at Kabul airport in desperate bid to flee

There is a former Royal Marine, Paul 'Pen' Farthing, who, after serving in Afghanistan, returned to the country to run an animal charity. He is trying to evacuate himself, his staff, their families, and 173 cats and dogs from Kabul airport.

At first, there was a furore that he would only be allowed on RAF flights without the animal cargo. He and financial backers have gone to some length to get a chartered flight to Kabul airport to take them out of the country, but the Taliban are not allowing them into the airport.

It is a symptom of our decadence as a society that so many in this country think that it is quite appropriate to prioritize dogs and cats over people in the evacuation effort. The Prime Minister's wife reportedly tried to overrule the defence secretary in allowing the chartered flight to land in Kabul airport (although Wallace claims that this was a myth, and he did not block the flight in the first place, it has reportedly landed on the tarmac at the airport).

Why didn't he attempt to evacuate several weeks or months ago?

Meanwhile the defence secretary has lamented that miltary time and resources have been diverted in trying to accommodate this animal evacuation:

Afghanistan: Mission to rescue evacuees 'diverted' by bid to save animals, says Ben Wallace

I suppose that no matter what happens Farthing is going to be lionized as a hero for this in many quarters.

As a result of this sentimentality about animals, might we soon be facing calls to import many more stray and neglected dogs and cats from the third world, as we are to import many more of its people?
 
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nivek

As Above So Below
Biden silent after Four US Marines are killed by suicide bomber at Kabul airport: 'ISIS' massacre 'kills 60' and leaves evacuation plans in tatters. Dead children among the victims

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Four US Marines are among those killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks on Kabul airport on Thursday that happened hours after Westerners were warned to stay away from the airport amid an 'imminent' threat from ISIS and make the ongoing evacuation effort even more unmanageable.

The first blast was caused by an ISIS suicide bomber in a vest, according to unnamed government sources cited by Fox and Politico. It detonated outside The Baron Hotel, where Westerners were staying before their evacuation flights, shortly before 6.30pm local time.

A second explosion was reported nearby a short time later at the airport's Abbey Gate, where crowds of Afghans have been gathering for more than a week in the hope of being put on one of the evacuation flights out. That explosion was caused by a car bomb. US officials believe ISIS-Khorsasan (ISIS-K) were behind the attacks. Intelligence officials warned of an imminent threat from ISIS-K just hours earlier.

Dozens of people were killed, according to those on the ground, including a New York Times reporter who counted 40 dead bodies. A CIA source told DailyMail.com on Thursday the Marines were among those killed. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby released a statement shortly afterwards saying a 'number' had died, but he wouldn't give any additional details. Other troops are feared to have been injured.


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nivek

As Above So Below
Well, you have to question the sense of any American, and other foreign, citizens left stranded in the country who were not performing some official duty in being where they are.

Trump signed a formal surrender agreement with the Taliban at the end of February of last year, with a 14 month timescale for withdrawal. That means it was due to be complete by May of this year. Biden extended the deadline in April to the 11th of September--despite the Taliban's objections, it should be added--before bringing it slightly forward to the 31st of August in early July. The Taliban stepped up their attacks in the spring. On the 6th of August, they took control of their first province.

I would say that any foreigner who was in Afghanistan of their own free will and who is still there and looking to get out bears a significant responsibility for their own predicament. Were they not keeping abreast of events?

Biden could have been getting everyone out of the country back in February this year instead of simply extending the deadline in April, he could have had most people out by April...

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nivek

As Above So Below
This melodrama that has been unfolding over the past couple of weeks has has got my hackles up:

Ex-marine stuck with 173 dogs and cats at Kabul airport in desperate bid to flee

There is a former Royal Marine, Paul 'Pen' Farthing, who, after serving in Afghanistan, returned to the country to run an animal charity. He is trying to evacuate himself, his staff, their families, and 173 cats and dogs from Kabul airport.

At first, there was a furore that he would only be allowed on RAF flights without the animal cargo. He and financial backers have gone to some length to get a chartered flight to Kabul airport to take them out of the country, but the Taliban are not allowing them into the airport.

It is a symptom of our decadence as a society that so many in this country think that it is quite appropriate to prioritize dogs and cats over people in the evacuation effort. The Prime Minister's wife reportedly tried to overrule the defence secretary in allowing the chartered flight to land in Kabul airport (although Wallace claims that this was a myth, and he did not block the flight in the first place, it has reportedly landed on the tarmac at the airport).

Why didn't he attempt to evacuate several weeks or months ago?

Meanwhile the defence secretary has lamented that DoD time and resources have been diverted in trying to accommodate this animal evacuation:

Afghanistan: Mission to rescue evacuees 'diverted' by bid to save animals, says Ben Wallace

I suppose that no matter what happens Farthing is going to be lionized as a hero for this in many quarters.

As a result of this sentimentality about animals, might we soon be facing calls to import many more stray and neglected dogs and cats from the third world, as we are to import many more of its people?

Owning that many pets is ridiculous and its ignorant of him to think we would save dogs and cats before saving people...Some of these animal activists are batshit crazy...

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AD1184

Celestial
Owning that many pets is ridiculous and its ignorant of him to think we would save dogs and cats before saving people...Some of these animal activists are batshit crazy...
He ran a rescue, with a staff including vets, so they are not really his pets. Despite what he may think, there are too many in this country who also think that his animals should be a British government priority.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
He ran a rescue, with a staff including vets, so they are not really his pets. Despite what he may think, there are too many in this country who also think that his animals should be a British government priority.

Sorry, I misunderstood that bit about the rescue...Despite what others think including him, those animals are not a priority at this point...He should have got them out of there months ago if he was that concerned for their well-being, its a little late for him to start quibbling now....

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HAL9000

Honorable
Looks like this guy will be staying there.

Now that the bombing has started, the situation will change rapidly.
 

wwkirk

Divine
Biden silent after Four US Marines are killed by suicide bomber at Kabul airport: 'ISIS' massacre 'kills 60' and leaves evacuation plans in tatters. Dead children among the victims

964x580_JPG-SINGLE_3372344555567401117.jpg


Four US Marines are among those killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks on Kabul airport on Thursday that happened hours after Westerners were warned to stay away from the airport amid an 'imminent' threat from ISIS and make the ongoing evacuation effort even more unmanageable.

The first blast was caused by an ISIS suicide bomber in a vest, according to unnamed government sources cited by Fox and Politico. It detonated outside The Baron Hotel, where Westerners were staying before their evacuation flights, shortly before 6.30pm local time.

A second explosion was reported nearby a short time later at the airport's Abbey Gate, where crowds of Afghans have been gathering for more than a week in the hope of being put on one of the evacuation flights out. That explosion was caused by a car bomb. US officials believe ISIS-Khorsasan (ISIS-K) were behind the attacks. Intelligence officials warned of an imminent threat from ISIS-K just hours earlier.

Dozens of people were killed, according to those on the ground, including a New York Times reporter who counted 40 dead bodies. A CIA source told DailyMail.com on Thursday the Marines were among those killed. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby released a statement shortly afterwards saying a 'number' had died, but he wouldn't give any additional details. Other troops are feared to have been injured.


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US service member death has risen to 12.
Live Updates: 12 U.S. service members killed, 15 injured in Kabul attack
 
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