Afghanistan

I put this originally in General, because its a humanitarian crisis.
Although of course politics and all the above are involved.

Meanwhile...
Afghanistan faces economic shock as sanctions replace aid - Times of India

For the Taliban - you better watch out, you might get what you wished for...

The country and people are VERY different than when your ruled briefly before, 20 years ago,
Different level of sophistication
Different access to tech (and the world)
Different education available
Different attitudes
Maybe even different culture.

And of course, $$$ matters.

The rest of the world, also has your number...they don't believe anything you say...only observe.
All the neighbors don't trust you either. (and they don't play nice like the US)

I think they'll have their hands full for awhile.
The question is...how much damage and harm they'll do in the meantime.

Gotta figure out how to help the innocents.

--- Double Post Merged, Aug 31, 2021, Original Post Date: Aug 22, 2021 ---

============================

The drugs dilemma for the West in Afghanistan

There's always another twist and factor...

It's like this area is the world's constant drug rehab revolving door.
Nations go in...get addicted, withdraw after damaging their finances, reputations and ethics...only for the globe to invest AGAIN, so it won't kill itself and us along with it.

I wonder who the next sucker is going to be??? China?

 

Antony Blinken Defends Afghanistan Withdrawal, Citing Trump’s Deal — The Wall Street Journal

It was going to be a clusterfuck no matter the decision.

Stay - it’s a black hole of bodies and resources
Go - we lose face and take the risk of a terrorist explosion

Fortunately, it seems OTHER countries are willing to finally kick in.
Without a take over, which is what the UK and USSR tried.

China “might” try it.
But hopefully they’ve learned lessons watching the US and others.

Basically, I’d treat Afghanistan as a Superfund site.
Acknowledging it needs cleanup and it’s a previous mess up, keep people away
And let the locals live knowing they’re going to screw themselves up.

In the end, the loonies need to fend for themselves.
I’ll not be surprised if they do terrible things
I “hope” not, “hope” they clean up their own act.
It’s like letting the druggy live in the rundown place.
You can’t save them. Just so they don’t damage others or other places.

Cynical? Yep
But sometimes you can’t save the world.

You just have to take care about yourself
And keep the trash heap from exploding outwards.

Frankly, it’s what the MAD principle is based on.

The US needs to focus on itself now.
Europe needs to focus on itself
Russia, China, etc…need to put themselves upright
So focus on themselves

Enough of this global brinksmanship
The world will come together soon enough, by default.
Technology has made it so.

Afghanistan, you’re on your own.
We recommend ignoring all the “Stans” surrounding ya.
Look to yourself. Look in the mirror.

 

The Afghan military was made up of 'ghost' soldiers who didn't actually exist, and that's why it collapsed so rapidly: ex-finance minister

This doesn't surprise me at at all.
Actually, what I'm pissed about is the Pentagon didn't have a check in place.
Kinda like the billions "lost" in Iraq.

Makes me think there's some type of kickback scam happening at the Pentagon itself...or through contractors, etc.
Not just the corruption of the Afghanis...but on the US side of thing.

This is the SECOND time this kind of BS has happened.

 

They may be even starting it and coordinating it.
Webs within webs...