Soldato
Maybe I'm less cynical about there being a grand overall plan and instead just find it easier to believe that folks are still as stupid now as they were 50 years ago
Afghanistan - 20 years on
- Thread starter GreatAuk
- Start date
Maybe I'm less cynical about there being a grand overall plan and instead just find it easier to believe that folks are still as stupid now as they were 50 years ago
Soldato
- Joined
- 16 Aug 2009
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- 8,040
20 years on the hamster treadwheel and finally the americans step off. Just like the Russians before them and oh, just like us 150 years ago. Well, well. Who couldn't have seen that one coming. Its an exact repeat of what occured when the russians departed.
America has finally gotten its catharsis from terrorist incidents on its soil so thats that, until the next time when we go through the same thing all over again and by which time everyone has forgotten all about what went before. And so back onto the treadwheel again.
Caporegime
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58068299
Yep, it's well and truly over for Afghanistan again. I wonder who'll be the next nation to have a pretend war so they can spend billions testing out new equipment and wasting lives.
Yep, it's well and truly over for Afghanistan again. I wonder who'll be the next nation to have a pretend war so they can spend billions testing out new equipment and wasting lives.
Maybe Iran if things keep ramping up the way they have been.
I'm pretty sure we invaded Afghanistan because the Taliban were literally harboring Bin-Laden and refused to hand him over to the US for trial, it wasn't a "pretend" war, over 3,000 people were killed including 67 Brits in a terrorist attack which caused the US to invoke article 5 of the NATO treaty.
I can't believe we didn't negotiate a peace deal before leaving and with neighbouring countries so that if they breach it there is the threat of military force from them and us (maybe I'm naive to think this was possible) and we wasted all that time and money on training and equipping the Afghan military (poorly it seems) and they just flee, I seem to remember that the same happened in Iraq with their military when Isis was taking over parts of the country. Not providing air support is irresponsible, the Afghan government have asked for this after all.
I am in favour of ending wars instead of letting them drag on forever (and only using war as a last resort, I don't think it's a good way of resolving problems and costs a lot in terms of lives, time and money), but there are things we can do to make sure it's not a disaster and we don't leave them in the lurch.
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Looks like the ME is on the brink of seeing wider disruption several other countries like Lebanon things are coming towards a crisis, Afghan is only going to fan the flames of regional conflict and facilitate destabilisation in the region.
Pretty sure the US and Biden knew that, probably hoping for it as ultimately it just helps the US economy.
I fear we're completely doomed to witness history repeating again and again.
Once they have Afghanistan back under their control, and a safe space for their training camps, etc, then the next objective as always is renewed operations against other nations, including the West.
These people literally will not be happy until the entire world is living under the strictest form of shariah law.
That's not to say I agree with our invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Because I don't. But this cancer is going to fester and spread, and there appears to be very little way to deal with it. By all accounts, these extreme islamists are well-supported. Including by large parts of the general populace. What can you do about that..
Soldato
Friend of mine lost an arm, a leg, an eye and suffered severe burns near Lashkar Gah. Can't imagine he's feeling too happy right about now.
Suspended
Well yeah...but he's down and arm, a leg and an eye so he's probably not too happy for a lot of the time!
Caporegime
I wasn't denying that any of that happened but you can't tell me top-ranking officials and generals genuinely thought we could pull out and the country would just continue as normal?
A pretend war was probably the wrong term but in the end what has really been achieved? Just because Bin-Ladens name isn’t on the tin doesn’t mean they’ll be any less dangerous, if anything they could be more determined now.
Looking at the map of contested areas, etc. there is no way the Afghan government can hold the country without massive external support, they either have to pull back and solidify about half the country with those who aren't in support of the Taliban, etc. and probably concede half the country or likely lose the lot.
Pretty sure air strikes have been and are being carried out by the US, B-52s have been circling on station.
That's good to hear.
Way things are going 3 weeks is going to be pushing it.
If you look at the geography, not sure how viable this is in the medium to long term. Iran and Pakistan won't allow US to launch airstrikes by aircraft passing through their air space so an agreement with one of the former Soviet Central Asian republics will be required. Not aware there is any such agreement at present.
Russia has mooted limited support for the US using Tajikistan, though that in itself poses problems, due to the security concerns. It may also change to where India provides air support but that presents a whole new dynamic. Very messy situation which I think is likely to slide the whole region into a whole new lot of pain.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2004
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- 46,261
It’s an endless circle for these nations, but not to worry, China is on hand to invest in their infrastructure out of the goodness of their hearts.