The shadow
The shadow knows!
HE IS ASLEEP!
It seems that the Afghan armed forces were oversupplied with equipment, if anything.The $100bn spoils of war: Taliban militants help themselves to helicopters, hi-tech radios and armored vehicles amid ramshackle withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan
When British soldiers deployed to Helmand 15 years ago their Taliban counterparts were shabbily dressed in tattered traditional outfits and armed with decades-old Russian rifles and grenade launchers. While they possessed guile in spades, and knew every inch of the jungle-like 'Green Zone' where battles were fought, they were poorly equipped and poorly trained.
Now, following the ramshackle withdrawal of international forces, the Taliban has been bequeathed a £62billion bounty of military equipment, including hundreds of fixed-wing aircraft and tactical helicopters, tens of thousands of armoured vehicles and hundreds of thousands of weapons.
The transformation in the group's appearance and capability could scarcely be more vivid or disturbing. Sandals and shalwar kameez have been replaced by combat boots and tailored camouflage uniforms. Ancient AK47s are nowhere to be seen. Instead today's Taliban carry US Green Beret-issue M4 carbines with telescoping stocks.
The Taliban of 15 years ago were seldom if ever seen wearing helmets. But today their headwear is more expensive and more advanced than that worn by most British troops.
(More on the link)
It seems that the Afghan armed forces were oversupplied with equipment, if anything.
Were defence companies taking advantage of them, or of the US government if it was footing the bill on the Afghans' behalf? Apparently most Afghan soldiers were illiterate, and unable to use the more complicated military equipment provided to them.
Is there going to be any acknowledgement from people who supported this war that the Coalition efforts to create, supply, and train an Afghan military were a complete and utter waste of time, money, and lives (several trainers were killed by Taliban loyalists in the units they were attempting to train)? What a ridiculous charade.
All of these people are getting bent out of shape that the war is not being continued, but where were those people while the war was going on, scrutinizing how it was actually being waged, or blowing the whistle that it was not? They were quite happy for the stage theatre to continue at the time, with everyone pretending that they were building a nation when they were doing no such thing.
Business was good for arms and equipment manufacturers and the host of private contractors employed over there. Still is for a few.
https://www.usnews.com/news/world-r...precipitously-as-biden-pushes-withdrawal-plan
Among the other tactics the Biden administration has boasted in recent weeks is its decision to provide 37 additional Blackhawk helicopters to the Afghan air force to bolster its existing force. Yet, again, no clear plan is currently in place for who will maintain those sophisticated aircraft once the U.S. leaves.
Maybe they should wait a while to see how things are going to shake out before doing anything like that.
Chances are that these helicopters would finish up being used against any allied forces that may end up sack in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Air Force will become the Taliban Air Force quickly enough.
That. And I wouldn't be the least surprised if there are more than 250 Americans stranded there.Most disgraceful, Biden fears the terrorists and abandoned American citizens and allies, leaving them in the hands of the Taliban and ISIS...Its just a matter of time before we see the hostages on tv or worse...
Last US flights slip out of Afghanistan 24 hours ahead of deadline: 250 citizens and thousands of Afghan friendlies are left facing nightmare under Taliban, who celebrate America's final retreat from 20-year war with wild gunfire
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Biden breaks promise to 'stay' in Afghanistan until every American evacuated
President Biden appears to have broken his promise to stay in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated. Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. announced Monday evening that the last of the U.S. troops stationed at the Kabul airport had left, completing the military’s drawdown in the country, even though hundreds of Americans likely remain.
McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, said some American citizens who wanted to leave Afghanistan remain in country. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," he said.
President Joe Biden told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos during an interview on Aug. 18 that the U.S. military objective in Afghanistan was to get "everyone" out, including Americans and Afghan allies and their families.
"That's what we're doing now, that's the path we're on. And I think we'll get there," he said. "If there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out."
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Folk singer Fawad Andarabi dragged from home and shot after Taliban outlaw music | News | The Times
Folk singer Fawad Andarabi dragged from home and shot after Taliban outlaw music
Taliban fighters have shot dead an Afghan folk singer after it outlawed music and women’s voices on television and radio in the bellwether province of Kandahar, laying the ground for a nationwide ban in an echo of the brutal Islamist regime of 20 years ago.
Not just comedians are targets. Imagine a religion that is against music!*They also executed an Afghan comedian who was making jokes up until his death...
Taliban captures and executes well-known Afghan comedian - who told jokes as they dragged him away
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Ha ha ha. I've long suspected wwkirk had me on ignore.Not just comedians are targets. Imagine a religion that is against music!*
Taliban kill folk singer days after banning music in Afghanistan, family says
*Apparently, there is controversy within Islam over the permissibility of music, with some sects/schools banning it, others not.
Ha ha ha. I've long suspected wwkirk had me on ignore.