Biden gets U.S. out of Afghanistan

[km1125]

I say it's beyond time that the U.N. should convene and get everybody to agree to break up Afghanistan into 10 or more sectors that would go to reach of the bordering countries. If they can't run the country without being a burden on the rest of the world, then they don't deserve to be a sovereign entity.

[bmw]

The pull out is quickly turning into a disaster.

A little over a month later, that is an understatement.

This today from NPR https://www.npr.org/2021/08/12/10271082 ... tal-cities

As of Thursday morning, the Taliban now has control of 10 provincial capital cities — effectively putting them in control of two-thirds of Afghanistan...

-People are flooding into Kabul from neighboring regions.

-Public parks in Kabul have become camps for displaced people.

-Food and fuel prices are rising as the Taliban blocks off import routes.

-The Taliban is rounding up people who have worked for the U.S. Military or Afghan government.

-O'Donnell said the atrocities on the battlefield are "horrific" and include bodies being mutilated and other things O'Donnell wouldn't go into on air.

-Women are being told to stay in their homes, unless accompanied by a male relative.

-Women are also being told they'll be rounded up and married off to Taliban fighters.

-Girls in those regions are being taken out of school, and girls schools are closed.

[km1125]

Where is the U.N. in all of this?? THEY need to step in with what is "acceptable" over there. We can HELP, but really this is the WORLD's problem.

If the Afghans can't control the Taliban, even with all the help they've had for the last decade, perhaps that land needs to be carved up and allocated to the surrounding countries.

[paul8539]

I say we need to get MORE involved in Afghanistan. The Chinese are waiting to fill the vacuum once we leave. We can't let that happen.

Also, if Iran acts up, we will have troops on both sides (Iraq and Afghanistan) to move in fast if something nasty happens.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Let them fight their civil war. Enough with the nation building. Glad we got out.

And for the warmonger above, the last thing you want is to get in a pissing match with Iran.

[Deleted User 14896]

Let them fight their civil war. Enough with the nation building. Glad we got out.

We are in agreement. No matter the aftermath, we should quit being the World Police Department.

[bmw]

I agree to a point - the point where the aftermath poses a direct threat to our national security. I don't think the situation is to that point yet, but it could be well on its way.

[Lester The Nightfly]

I agree to a point - the point where the aftermath poses a direct threat to our national security. I don't think the situation is to that point yet, but it could be well on its way.

Quite honestly the folks that ran wild though Washington DC on 1/6 represent more of a threat to our national security than some goat rancher tied up with the Taliban on the other side of the planet.

[bmw]

Where is the U.N. in all of this?

Your answer - they're encouraging other countries to open up their borders to refugees.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/afgha ... d/1032322/

What a pathetically weak response.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

I agree to a point - the point where the aftermath poses a direct threat to our national security. I don't think the situation is to that point yet, but it could be well on its way.

Holy crap, we actually agree on something.

[zzand]

resident Biden has released a lengthy statement on the crisis in Afghanistan. He announces a deployment of 5,000 U.S. troops to the country to ensure an "orderly and safe" drawdown.

He also blames President Trump for the current situation, saying he "inherited" a deal "that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021 deadline on US forces."

"I faced a choice—follow through on the deal, with a brief extension to get our forces and our allies’ forces out safely, or ramp up our presence and send more American troops to fight once again in another country’s civil conflict," he says.

Full statement here:

"Over the past several days I have been in close contact with my national security team to give them direction on how to protect our interests and values as we end our military mission in Afghanistan.

First, based on the recommendations of our diplomatic, military, and intelligence teams, I have authorized the deployment of approximately 5,000 US troops to make sure we can have an orderly and safe drawdown of US personnel and other allied personnel and an orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance.

Second, I have ordered our armed forces and our intelligence community to ensure that we will maintain the capability and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.

Third, I have directed the Secretary of State to support President Ghani and other Afghan leaders as they seek to prevent further bloodshed and pursue a political settlement. Secretary Blinken will also engage with key regional stakeholders.

Fourth, we have conveyed to the Taliban representatives in Doha, via our Combatant Commander, that any action on their part on the ground in Afghanistan, that puts US personnel or our mission at risk there, will be met with a swift and strong US military response.

Fifth, I have placed Ambassador Tracey Jacobson in charge of a whole of government effort to process, transport, and relocate Afghan special immigrant visa applicants and other Afghan allies. Our hearts go out to the brave Afghan men and women who are now at risk. We are working to evacuate thousands of those who helped our cause and their families.

[Chrocket87]

I’ve wanted our troops out of Afghanistan (and the entire Middle East) for a looooooong time, but damn it’s sad to see everything we spent 20 years on likely being erased in the span of a few months.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

No one takes joy in ceding the area back to the Taliban, but the fact is the majority are "meh" about democracy and cool with far right fundamentalist terrorists. My friend's brother fought over there and regularly saw them fucking goats and little kids like it's no big deal. I don't know why most don't leave like the Kurds or Chaldeans in Iraq. They are different and love their poppies too much to leave I guess.

[Matt]

He also blames President Trump for the current situation, saying he "inherited" a deal "that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021 deadline on US forces."

He also inherited a covid vaccine and distribution plan that he rarely acknowledges. The failure in Afghanistan is squarely on him and his administration.

[screen glare]

Now you know how the oldsters here felt when we finally pulled out of The Vietnam War. When we were kids it was on TV each night for years. Then one day - the now iconic TV images of helicopters on a roof - and panic - pervaded the nightly news.

It was all a political quagmire. Lives destroyed. Families destroyed. Money for nothing - but greed. “Peace With Honor” a farce.

Maybe Ol’ Joe learned via Vietnam - just get the hell out. No matter the ugliness and failure and shame. Just leave, damn it. Or you NEVER will!