The speed at which the taliban is taking back territory is really sad. Have a feeling we’re going to have advisors back there sooner rather than later
I’m not well read on Afghanistan of the last 3-5 years, but I would bet those who are would tell you this is basically as expected.
Not with 120,000 troops there but its pretty obvious government forces can't hold back an army trained and funded by other countries on their own.
I think they knew that the Taliban would sweep through the rural parts of the country but the idea was the big 4 cities would be able to hold out and resist and you'd end up with this fragile peace where the religious zealots hold the rural parts of the country and the government forces hold the cities.....like America.
This is so sad. Can’t wait until we’re back in 2 years after watching the wholesale slaughter of thousands of people
The "foreign policy establishment" can't get anything more out of the government to benefit themselves so now Afghanistan is a tragedy. Comparing it to other scenarios isn't relevant to a large extent but I'm sure that won't stop the concern trolling.
Anyone with a half a brain knew this was inevitable, stop wasting my taxpayer money on corrupt ass Afghanistan…..if the Taliban are the only ones with resolve and a discipline to get after it then so be it…..the ANA and the government are a bunch of coward ass pussies, stop sending those scumbags my money…….China can have at it next
Haven't read much on current situation but would it have slowed the collapse if we had waited until winter was upon them?
My question for anyone who might know, does the Taliban have the expertise to maintain and support the assets they have taken? It’s one thing to have the expertise to even fly some of the assets but they have to require incredible amounts of maintenance to keep these things airborne.
"Control" is kinda hard to quantity there, as is "Taliban" to a certain extent. They aren't like an actual government, they're more like ISIS where you call yourself Taliban for marketing and funding, but there's not really a federal-style hierarchy. So the "Taliban" may retain "Control" of a lot of the area but what that means will vary wildly from area to area. Family/tribe/ethnicity/language will be much more important than if you're Taliban or not
Curious for those who understand this better than I do. Does this create a situation similar to ISIL/ISIS where we have to help fight this group? Or is this more of a situation where it’s a lost cause and our hands are washed of the whole thing?
Pretty difficult to wash your hands of something when your fingerprints are all over the assailants and defenders. Seems we trained the assailants better than the defenders.
Trying to think and act rationally about a situation/place that is completely irrational sums up most of it.
No, they don't. The afghan army could barely keep them running with us providing money, training, parts, etc.
After 9/11, I read almost anything I could get my hands on about Afghanistan and everything happening in the region. I became pretty familiar with the country’s story and a lot of the people involved, some seemingly wanting to really help turn around their country. Some serving in the (former) government still today. Sad to see this happening.
It sucks the situation the front line personnel are faced with but I have to give respect for those in the trenches and on the ground getting the job done.
Remember when the Bush admin forced the news to stop broadcasting the daily death totals and names of our fallen soldiers. "It'll hurt the war effort" good job all around.
"Confirmed" I honestly do not think that is possible. 800 is a shitload of people. Unless these are just bodies stacked up, I don't think this is true
I assumed it wasn’t true as well. Here is a picture of almost 700 in the cargo area. There is room at the back to get the other 100 on. Reminds me of the movie Air America. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
Going in or not going in the first place is a completely different discussion. This is directly related to the American people not having the appetite to stay until the job was done. With the lack of infrastructure when we came in we are probably talking about a multi generational occupation to effect lasting change. If the American people still had the will to stay we would still be there.
sure, with the caveat that the job was never going to be done. I mean unless the job you are wanting to complete is flattening the place.