nivek
As Above So Below
Spot on here, I have no problem getting our troops out of Afghanistan either, but not this way and Biden has no excuse for the manner and haste in which this was done...
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Spot on here, I have no problem getting our troops out of Afghanistan either, but not this way and Biden has no excuse for the manner and haste in which this was done...
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nivek
As Above So Below
It's astounding, we have so many problems in this country that Biden seems to refuse to address and in some cases he's made the problems worse, and then he pulls this asinine stunt in Afghanistan that blows up right in his face...This is a big one and the whole world felt this bomb go off, the former ambassador In the article below might be right, Biden might be unfit to lead this country given what's happened here...If that were to happen Harris is even worse and truly unfit to lead, what a mess...
'I have grave questions about his ability to lead our nation': Obama's Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker slams Biden and says his disastrous Afghanistan policy might prove he's unfit to be commander in chief
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'I have grave questions about his ability to lead our nation': Obama's Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker slams Biden and says his disastrous Afghanistan policy might prove he's unfit to be commander in chief
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nivek
As Above So Below
Europe is going to hate us even more because of this, Biden has caused problems for everyone, except may be China...
The Divided State of Europe - President Macron pledges...
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The Divided State of Europe - President Macron pledges...
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nivek
As Above So Below
Seven in 10 Americans disapprove of Joe Biden's decision to withdrawal from Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the country in just over a week
The vast majority of Americans are not happy with President Joe Biden's handling of the situation in Afghanistan as the country falls to the Taliban in just over a week, a poll released Monday shows.
The Trafalgar Group/Convention of States Action survey, taken among 1,084 likely general election voters, shows that the disapproval transcends parties, age range, gender and ethnicity.
Of the whole data set, 69.3 per cent of respondents either strongly disapproved or disapproved of Biden's decision to fully withdraw from Afghanistan and the events that unfolded in the aftermath.
On the other hand, only 23.1 per cent of likely general election voters approve of the president's actions related to the Middle Eastern nation.
(More on the link)
The vast majority of Americans are not happy with President Joe Biden's handling of the situation in Afghanistan as the country falls to the Taliban in just over a week, a poll released Monday shows.
The Trafalgar Group/Convention of States Action survey, taken among 1,084 likely general election voters, shows that the disapproval transcends parties, age range, gender and ethnicity.
Of the whole data set, 69.3 per cent of respondents either strongly disapproved or disapproved of Biden's decision to fully withdraw from Afghanistan and the events that unfolded in the aftermath.
On the other hand, only 23.1 per cent of likely general election voters approve of the president's actions related to the Middle Eastern nation.
(More on the link)
nivek
As Above So Below
The US doesn't have control of the situation yet to get the rest of the trapped Americans out...
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Americans stranded in Afghanistan should shelter in place and NOT go to the Kabul airport as US works to 'regain positive control' of evacuation flights, State Department says
The State Department told Americans still stranded in Afghanistan on Monday to shelter in place rather than head to the Kabul airport for evacuation as the U.S. works to 'regain positive control' of the airport.
'The situation is evolving quickly and we will communicate information to U.S. citizens as rapidly as possible,' State spokesman Ned Price said during a press conference on Monday afternoon.
'In the meantime,' he continued, 'we are asking U.S. citizens to shelter and not to travel to the airport until they hear otherwise from the Department of State.'
His remarks came moments after President Joe Biden made remarks doubling-down on his decision to withdraw entirely from Afghanistan, which has thrown the country into chaos and allowed the swift takeover by the Taliban.
'We are working around the clock, in the first instance, to maintain, to regain positive control over the airport compound,' Price said. 'This is something that our colleagues at the Department of Defense have been working urgently to reestablish for a couple reasons. One, to be able to resume U.S. Military flights… but importantly, this is also a civilian airport.'
'We are seeking to reestablish positive control in order – so that commercial travel can also resume, so that many of these Afghans…will be able to reach safety,' Price said.
The Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul came under fire by the Taliban on Sunday as the Islamic militant forces took the city after Afghani President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
(More on the link)
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Americans stranded in Afghanistan should shelter in place and NOT go to the Kabul airport as US works to 'regain positive control' of evacuation flights, State Department says
The State Department told Americans still stranded in Afghanistan on Monday to shelter in place rather than head to the Kabul airport for evacuation as the U.S. works to 'regain positive control' of the airport.
'The situation is evolving quickly and we will communicate information to U.S. citizens as rapidly as possible,' State spokesman Ned Price said during a press conference on Monday afternoon.
'In the meantime,' he continued, 'we are asking U.S. citizens to shelter and not to travel to the airport until they hear otherwise from the Department of State.'
His remarks came moments after President Joe Biden made remarks doubling-down on his decision to withdraw entirely from Afghanistan, which has thrown the country into chaos and allowed the swift takeover by the Taliban.
'We are working around the clock, in the first instance, to maintain, to regain positive control over the airport compound,' Price said. 'This is something that our colleagues at the Department of Defense have been working urgently to reestablish for a couple reasons. One, to be able to resume U.S. Military flights… but importantly, this is also a civilian airport.'
'We are seeking to reestablish positive control in order – so that commercial travel can also resume, so that many of these Afghans…will be able to reach safety,' Price said.
The Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul came under fire by the Taliban on Sunday as the Islamic militant forces took the city after Afghani President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
(More on the link)
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wwkirk
Divine
It seems obvious that the two categories of those who approve are extremely partisan. No matter how much one wanted to see the US withdraw from Afghanistan, any decent person would be dissatisfied with the chaotic manner in which it was done, especially for the danger it has created for US citizens in the country and those who worked for us. My conclusion is that the approvers just want to approve because Biden is a Democrat. Pelosi is the most blatant example.
"The President is to be commended for the clarity of purpose of his statement on Afghanistan and his action," the statement reads. "The Taliban must know the world is watching its actions. We are concerned about reports regarding the Taliban’s brutal treatment of all Afghans, especially women and girls."
Nancy Pelosi criticized for statement on Afghanistan, Taliban
wwkirk
Divine
I very much hope he returns safely.
AD1184
Celestial
This is going to create a massive exodus of refugees, of which Europe is going to have to shoulder a much bigger burden than the US.
This predicament is the joint responsibility of Biden and Trump. It is also the responsibility of US presidents dating back to Reagan, when the mujahideen (plural of mujahid, one who wages jihad, or Islamic holy war) were cynically aided in order to undermine Soviet efforts in that country. Britain is also partly responsible, as the Thatcher government was also helping to aid the mujahideen. When the Soviets left, the Taliban arose from their ranks.
It was a hare-brained scheme hatched twenty years ago to try to convert the country into a liberal democracy, alongside blowing up the al Qaeda bases there. Ever since, the Taliban counter-insurgency has been undermined by misplaced strategic priorities and thus doomed to fail. The staggeringly corrupt puppet government ruled in the interests of the Afghan metropolitan elite only, and not in that of rural folk whose loyalty was required to counter the Taliban's influence. The pointless Iraq debacle diverted attention and resources away from the conflict at a critical phase.
The US withdrawal reflects some basic ignorance of the country and the conflict in matters as simple as the best time of the year to make a withdrawal. Biden's notification of withdrawal coincided with the start of the Afghan fighting season
Afghanistan fighting season - Wikipedia
If he had delayed the plans for several months, it could have made a world of difference to the outcome.
The Taliban's big push to capture the whole country has made them exposed and vulnerable, as they have effectively morphed into a conventional military force (with inadequate weapons and training when pitted against US forces). But this opportunity for decisive military action has been passed up as well.
It would have been much less calamitous to have thrown in the towel in the 2000s, rather than to wait until now. For twenty years, a false hope has been cultivated among a segment of the Afghan population, who are now faced with the reality of a return to Taliban rule.
This predicament is the joint responsibility of Biden and Trump. It is also the responsibility of US presidents dating back to Reagan, when the mujahideen (plural of mujahid, one who wages jihad, or Islamic holy war) were cynically aided in order to undermine Soviet efforts in that country. Britain is also partly responsible, as the Thatcher government was also helping to aid the mujahideen. When the Soviets left, the Taliban arose from their ranks.
It was a hare-brained scheme hatched twenty years ago to try to convert the country into a liberal democracy, alongside blowing up the al Qaeda bases there. Ever since, the Taliban counter-insurgency has been undermined by misplaced strategic priorities and thus doomed to fail. The staggeringly corrupt puppet government ruled in the interests of the Afghan metropolitan elite only, and not in that of rural folk whose loyalty was required to counter the Taliban's influence. The pointless Iraq debacle diverted attention and resources away from the conflict at a critical phase.
The US withdrawal reflects some basic ignorance of the country and the conflict in matters as simple as the best time of the year to make a withdrawal. Biden's notification of withdrawal coincided with the start of the Afghan fighting season
Afghanistan fighting season - Wikipedia
If he had delayed the plans for several months, it could have made a world of difference to the outcome.
The Taliban's big push to capture the whole country has made them exposed and vulnerable, as they have effectively morphed into a conventional military force (with inadequate weapons and training when pitted against US forces). But this opportunity for decisive military action has been passed up as well.
It would have been much less calamitous to have thrown in the towel in the 2000s, rather than to wait until now. For twenty years, a false hope has been cultivated among a segment of the Afghan population, who are now faced with the reality of a return to Taliban rule.
The shadow
The shadow knows!
America waved the white flag.On the Gerald R Ford alone we have enough firepower to deal with the situation. But we tucked tail and ran like a rabbit. Makes me sick we allowed this to happen.
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nivek
As Above So Below
Defense officials say they'll rescue 5,000 a day from Kabul while up to 40,000 Americans remain stranded: Armed Taliban fighters surround the airport and take control of ALL access points leaving US troops to negotiate who gets in
There are still as many as 40,000 Americans stranded in Afghanistan waiting to be put on US military evacuation flights but there was no sign of the planes at Kabul Airport on Tuesday despite defense experts and ex CIA directors emphasizing the urgency of getting them out before it's too late. There were no signs of US jets at the airport on Tuesday morning as Indian, French and British cargo jets loaded passengers onto flights to be taken out of the fast-escalating violence in Kabul. Former CIA Director David Patreus said on Tuesday: 'This might be termed I think a Dunkirk moment.
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There are still as many as 40,000 Americans stranded in Afghanistan waiting to be put on US military evacuation flights but there was no sign of the planes at Kabul Airport on Tuesday despite defense experts and ex CIA directors emphasizing the urgency of getting them out before it's too late. There were no signs of US jets at the airport on Tuesday morning as Indian, French and British cargo jets loaded passengers onto flights to be taken out of the fast-escalating violence in Kabul. Former CIA Director David Patreus said on Tuesday: 'This might be termed I think a Dunkirk moment.
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nivek
As Above So Below
Who's in charge of escape from Kabul? American army led by General Frank McKenzie locks down airport as international rescue mission, including 6,000 US troops, 900 UK soldiers, tries to evacuate more than 50,000 Afghans
The American army led by General Frank McKenzie locked down Kabul airport after making a deal with the Taliban to allow evacuations from the airport without interference from the jihadists. He is leading 6,000 US troops and 900 British soldiers who are trying to evacuate as many as 50,000 Afghan refugees and thousands of other foreign citizens including aid workers and diplomats who live in Kabul. US troops, backed by British SAS and Royal Marines special forces, are guarding the 7.8-mile perimeter (pictured) with snipers on rooftops, as well as machine gunners and armored cars on the runway. The Taliban claim that they are giving 'amnesty' to foreigners who wish to leave. However, there are fears that the security situation could deteriorate at any moment and there are reports of Taliban fighters beating and shooting Afghans trying to head to the airport. Gen. McKenzie warned the Taliban that his troops would respond forcefully to defend the airport if necessary. Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key, who is running the British evacuation operation from the UK, said that his forces face a race against time but that they are 'alive to the uncertainty.'
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The American army led by General Frank McKenzie locked down Kabul airport after making a deal with the Taliban to allow evacuations from the airport without interference from the jihadists. He is leading 6,000 US troops and 900 British soldiers who are trying to evacuate as many as 50,000 Afghan refugees and thousands of other foreign citizens including aid workers and diplomats who live in Kabul. US troops, backed by British SAS and Royal Marines special forces, are guarding the 7.8-mile perimeter (pictured) with snipers on rooftops, as well as machine gunners and armored cars on the runway. The Taliban claim that they are giving 'amnesty' to foreigners who wish to leave. However, there are fears that the security situation could deteriorate at any moment and there are reports of Taliban fighters beating and shooting Afghans trying to head to the airport. Gen. McKenzie warned the Taliban that his troops would respond forcefully to defend the airport if necessary. Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key, who is running the British evacuation operation from the UK, said that his forces face a race against time but that they are 'alive to the uncertainty.'
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nivek
As Above So Below
So Obama started this avalanche, Obama releases the Taliban commander and Biden opens the door for them to take over...
How Obama freed key Taliban leader in 2014 in prisoner swap despite pentagon warnings only for him to spearhead steaming take-over of Kabul
The mastermind behind the Taliban's takeover of Kabul was released from Guantanamo Bay under Barack Obama's presidency in 2014 despite resistance from the Pentagon, it has been revealed.
Khairullah Khairkhwa was one of five Taliban commanders released from the detention camp off the coast of Cuba by Obama in exchange for American soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
The former president guaranteed the US people that the so-called Taliban Five would be sent to Qatar and incapable of doing any damage in Afghanistan.
However, earlier this year Khairkhwa ended up brokering the terms of the withdrawal of troops despite intelligence reports sent to Obama and Biden after his release, according to the New York Post.
(More on the link)
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How Obama freed key Taliban leader in 2014 in prisoner swap despite pentagon warnings only for him to spearhead steaming take-over of Kabul
The mastermind behind the Taliban's takeover of Kabul was released from Guantanamo Bay under Barack Obama's presidency in 2014 despite resistance from the Pentagon, it has been revealed.
Khairullah Khairkhwa was one of five Taliban commanders released from the detention camp off the coast of Cuba by Obama in exchange for American soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
The former president guaranteed the US people that the so-called Taliban Five would be sent to Qatar and incapable of doing any damage in Afghanistan.
However, earlier this year Khairkhwa ended up brokering the terms of the withdrawal of troops despite intelligence reports sent to Obama and Biden after his release, according to the New York Post.
(More on the link)
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nivek
As Above So Below
The Taliban have better weapons now, after many Afghan military personnel abandoned their posts and weapons...I've read the Taliban have some of our helicopters and armoured vehicles now along with many handheld weapons...
We should have stayed on target and left that country after Al-Qaeda was dealt with (at the time most of the west was onboard with attacking that region because of 911), but instead we get involved with the local problems and Taliban issues and morphs into nation building, something we should have never done there...It seems that almost every time the west gets militarily involved directly with a Muslim country it backfires in our faces...The Persian gulf war was an exception...
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AD1184
Celestial
Trump did something similar, according to the terms of the bargain he struck with the Taliban last year, letting 5,000 Taliban prisoners go. Three senior military commanders were among them, including Mullah Abdul Ahad who has been leading attacks in the latest Taliban offensive.
Taliban chief leading the attack on Afghan city was freed with 5,000 others in prisoner swap | Daily Mail Online
nivek
As Above So Below
So it seems the past 10 years has been bungled with poor decision-making and making deals with the devil, so to speak...All accumulating to the incompetent and disastrous decision to suddenly pull out of the country...
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nivek
As Above So Below
The not so good, the bad and the downright ugly: The Taliban leaders taking control of Afghanistan whose histories of bloodshed and jihad jar with their claims of a new more tolerant regime and 'peace for all'
The Taliban are claiming it will run a far more tolerant regime now it has re-taken Afghanistan but its leaders are still a cabal of hardcore jihadists. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who arrived back in Afghanistan today after an exile of 20 years and is expected to be unveiled as the next leader of the country, is a co-founder of the group who was freed from a Pakistan jail at the request of the US government.
The Taliban are claiming it will run a far more tolerant regime now it has re-taken Afghanistan but its leaders are still a cabal of hardcore jihadists. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who arrived back in Afghanistan today after an exile of 20 years and is expected to be unveiled as the next leader of the country, is a co-founder of the group who was freed from a Pakistan jail at the request of the US government.
nivek
As Above So Below
'F*** that. Nixon and Kissinger got away with it in Vietnam': What Biden told Obama's special representative for Afghanistan he thought of America's obligations to the Afghan people
The rapid US withdrawal from Afghanistan that has left the gate open for the Taliban to surge to power may come as a surprise to some, but President Biden has been in favour of pulling out for years. In 2010, Biden reportedly told Richard Holbrooke, then Obama's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, that the US had to leave Afghanistan regardless what it would mean for the Afghan people. According to Holbrooke, when Biden was asked about America's obligation to maintain their presence in Afghanistan to protect vulnerable civilians, he scornfully replied by referencing the US exit from southeast Asia in 1973. 'F*** that, we don't have to worry about that. We did it in Vietnam, Nixon and Kissinger got away with it.'
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The rapid US withdrawal from Afghanistan that has left the gate open for the Taliban to surge to power may come as a surprise to some, but President Biden has been in favour of pulling out for years. In 2010, Biden reportedly told Richard Holbrooke, then Obama's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, that the US had to leave Afghanistan regardless what it would mean for the Afghan people. According to Holbrooke, when Biden was asked about America's obligation to maintain their presence in Afghanistan to protect vulnerable civilians, he scornfully replied by referencing the US exit from southeast Asia in 1973. 'F*** that, we don't have to worry about that. We did it in Vietnam, Nixon and Kissinger got away with it.'
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wwkirk
Divine
I had been unsuccessfully racking my brains to understand Biden's motivation. Now I understand.