This is NO surprise to some of us….
This announcement is putting things off….
His military, Congress and just about EVERYBODY else does NOT want to withdraw the American troops from Afghanistan ….(NATO has 7,000 troops there)
But?…
Other’s have fought there only to give up and withdraw…
And?….
The Taliban isn’t REALLY gonna honor any peace deal’s….
We’ll see….
President Biden and the Pentagon also has increasing China (Taiwan) and Russia (Ukraine) military threats to worry about…
While the Taliban has vowed to renew attacks on U.S. and NATO personnel if foreign troops are not out by the deadline, it is not clear if the militants will follow through with those threats given Biden’s plan for a phased withdrawal between now and September.
Officially, there are 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, although the number fluctuates and is currently about 1,000 more than that. There are also up to an additional 7,000 foreign forces in the coalition there, the majority of them NATO troops…
…
Some officials have warned that a U.S. exit will lead to the collapse of the Kabul government while jeopardizing gains made over the last two decades in health, education and women’s rights.
Biden administration officials say the United States intends to remain closely involved in the peace process and will continue to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to the Afghan government and security forces, which remains almost totally dependent on foreign support.
“What we won’t do is use our troops as a bargaining chip in that process,” the person familiar with the plans said.
The White House declined to comment on withdrawal plans….
…
Retired Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, said the decision to leave was overdue.
“I wouldn’t say enough is enough,” said Powell, who was in charge of Bush’s State Department during the 9/11 attacks and the beginning of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. “I’d say we’ve done all we can do…What are those troops being told they’re there for? It’s time to bring it to an end.”
The Soviet Union, which occupied Afghanistan for a decade until it abruptly withdrew in 1989, “did it the same way,” Powell said. “They got tired and they marched out and back home. How long did anybody remember that?”
Just a few weeks ago you were saying that the troops would never leave Afghanistan .
Now you’re “not surprised?”
You’re such a Liar.
We’ll see if the President can bring ALL AMerican troops put of Afghanistan in 5 months
President Biden is under fire from lawmakers in both parties over his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by mid-September.
The administration has briefed lawmakers that they will withdraw all U.S. troops by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, delaying a May withdrawal deadline agreed to by the Taliban and the Trump administration.
But the move is sparking public pushback from both Republicans and some Democrats, who warn that leaving too early or without the right conditions could result in a sharp backslide…
The Hill….
Who cares?
Find a new obsession.
Actually?
The Pentagon
President Biden
Congress
NATO
Afghans
Taliban
Media
The American and Foreign troops in country….
THAT’s some of the people who care..
Yup
But not you
You’re right .
I couldn’t care less.
Every few days something on this war that we have already lost.There are what?2500 or do troops there?The Taliban already controls most of the country.Warlords have begun to appear.Corruption is rampant.We will leave and the so called “Government “ will shortly thereafter and the criminals who run it will scatter with what’s left of the treasury.
We’ve seen this play before.
Get some popcorn and enjoy!
Then get a new “war ” to savor over.
I happen to agree with u that American and NATO troops ARE just holding things in place…
It sucks….
But it IS in this countries national security interest to have its fingers in things far away…
No surprises….
Describe in detail please the “national security interests “ we have in Afghanistan.
It’s nothing but a relic of the so called “War on Terrorisml from 20 years ago.
You worried about “terrorism” James?
When one of our major political parties is led by a crypto terrorist who orchestrated a terrorist attack on our seat of government?
All you know to do is repeat liie a babbling fool the terms you’ve heard on tv.
Any “ war” is always said to be in our “ national security interests.”
Pure “ G” garbage,
In derail?
First….
Pearl Harbor
9/11
Know the world
Second…
Humanity
Ref: Other situations there and around the workd where the conquer deals down on the losers
Viet Nam
East Europe
The US has in vested BILLIONS fir an object that even we know is NOT obtainable
But THAT does NOT Mean that the there should be a situation where we see mass cruelty following…
I know its doesn’t ring ur bell but the final point is perception…
The US walking away from the Afghan’s WILL be seen as a weakness and warning to other countries that America can be beat….
I said Joe Biden is NOT in inclined to use ground forces in his foreign policy before here..
Therefore i am not the least surprised in his stalling effort ti extract the US from Afhgatsnsn….
As he suggested fir Iraq back in the day?
He probably will ok Spec Ops being left there…
But President Biden IS gonna get tested on using military might to do policy ….
We’ll see how he handles himself…
Oh so our so called “national security interests” is “perception.”
Good God Homer you’re about fifty years too late.
In case you don’t remember?
We Lost in Vietnam.
You want to refight that eh?
What a fool you are.
War is NOT a good form of entertainment
It is inhuman….
But it IS something humans have done ALL thru history and will continue to do…
Fucked Up….
But just IS….
Better deal?
Let the old leader’s duke it out save the lives of the little people
You think the “ little people” of Afghanistan” give a damn who is running the show in Kabul.
They identify with their village.They care about who runs that. And maybe if they can sell some dope to the local warlord .
You are the perfect stooge for the warmongers your pious declarations to the contrary notwithstanding.
Kabul is a cosmopolitan city Jack…
It has 4.5 Million people…
Those people are different faiths, tribes and origins…
Your comment is insensitive to their well being…
We are talking about REAL people…
Wow?
Sounds a bit like Trump coming from ya?
Is NOT America a country that cares about the peoples of the rest of the world?
Or do stand in silence will others are bent to the will of the conquers?
Will Biden’s announcement start a mass exodus of those who can leave ?
One does not know…..
U STILL owe me Defense cuts Jack….
What a fraud you are.
What are you some Twenty first century colonialist?
We are there to”save” the Afghans?
That sounds like one of those maudlin Vietnam era speeches by LBJ or Nixon.
You don’t give a damn about the people there you fraud.
Indeed in all you many posts on this subject you’ve never mentioned them until now .
All you care about is “WAR”…never ending War.Thats what you care about and like the two bit(with emphasis on the words “two bit” ) coward that you are ,as long as there are others to do the fighting and dying ,we get to listen to the barely intelligible babbling words from the likes of you.
Disgusting!
Jack?
You just cracked me up!…..
Thanks for the laughs🤣….
This piece by George Packer @ The Atlantic is right from my thoughts…..
Jack?
Your view of this is superficial….
Myself and Packer COULD be wrong…
But I don’t think so…
So I still think Biden’s gamble will be modified…..
Biden IS in for a tough time on this..
…
Once South Vietnam began to collapse, in the spring of 1975, the end came with shocking speed, and the Ford administration had just weeks to organize evacuations. In Afghanistan, the Biden administration has given itself almost five months. That’s enough time to save thousands of Afghans who risked everything to help the United States in their country….
More…
I find nothing about you “funny.”
I was amused at ur view of this in seemed in simple terms….
As usual?
Things ARE COMPLEX
Biden’s decision has been panned widely
By lawmakers, military, NATO and of course the Afghans’
The Taliban ARE happy rhough….
Seriously?
This could be a VERY BAD goal…
…. t U.S. military and intelligence officials have a decidedly more dismal view of Afghan forces’ capabilities without American support. U.S. Special Operations Command chief Gen. Richard Clarke last month said U.S. military support is “critical to their success,” while an intelligence report released Tuesday said the Afghan government “will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support.”
CIA Director William Burns also told senators Wednesday the U.S. ability to collect intelligence on threats in Afghanistan will “diminish” with a U.S. military withdrawal.
While terrorist groups elsewhere in the world represent “much more serious threats today” than those in Afghanistan, Burns said, the Afghan branches of al Qaeda and ISIS “remain intent on recovering the ability to attack U.S. targets.”…
…
NATO also insisted allies “will continue to stand with Afghanistan, its people, and its institutions in promoting security and upholding the gains of the last 20 years.”
“Withdrawing our troops does not mean ending our relationship with Afghanistan,” the statement said. “Rather, this will be the start of a new chapter.”
The Hill…
BTW?
The Taliban says now that Biden want leave?
They threaten consequences for not leaving in May like Trump wanted…
This piece by Packer is about bringing out people who helped us when we withdraw as we are going to ,contrary to things you have said here.
None of this has anything to do with our previous discussion.
More lies from you.
I list this as one of the MAIN REASONS Biden is gonna get static on trying withdraw ALL of the troops….
…Though Democrats defended Biden’s decision, the threat of continued terrorist activity from Afghanistan nonetheless muted the reactions of many who head up the national security committees.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters that the United States would “have to maintain a presence” in the area “for regional stability” and continued counterterrorism activities…
…
“This should be seen as transitional, rather than closure,” he said, calling it a “very difficult decision by the president.”
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also sounded a note of circumspection as he processed news of Biden’s decision.
“We don’t have enough troops there to change the tide and make a difference. . . . I understand all of that thinking,” he said. “I just am concerned that after so much blood and national treasure, that we don’t lose what we were seeking to achieve.”
But liberal Democrats are adamant that a sustained war posture is unnecessary — and even detrimental — to long-term security in the country….
More…
So long as a major faction of Pakistan’s military, intelligence and political apparatus is willing to help or harbor the Taliban, both the U.S. staying and the U.S. leaving look futile.
Indeed DSD….
An old point that has NOT CHANGED….
he military spent more than a decade urging three different American presidents to stay in Afghanistan. With President Joe Biden’s decision this week to withdraw all U.S. forces by Sept. 11, they finally lost the battle.
“We cannot continue this cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan, hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdrawal and expecting a different result,” Biden said Wednesday in a speech announcing the decision. “I’m now the fourth United States president to preside over American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans, two Democrats. I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth.”
Politico…
( Hmmmmm?….Where we saying the same thing about Trump?)
Gonna be interesting seeing how this goes….
Biden is going out on a limb with no cover bit to back up…
The Taliban is NOT gonna give him any wiggle room i’d think with the smell of retreat innrhe air
NATO announces they will follow Biden’s lead in troop withdrawals from Afghanistan….
I’m waiting for the stories of the migrations from the country
DSD?
I am fast reading ‘Undaunted’ by John Brennen
On page 256 we see a readback of the Obama dance with Iraq on pulling ALL the American troops out of that country by Dec 2011…
That was a screwup….
Brennen mentions a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan….
Obana wanted to leave but felt he couldn’t based on ur mentioned Pakistan/Afghanistan problem….Right in that paragraph is Obama wanted pull the troop’s and so did then Vice President Biden….
Now it’s Biden chance to try….
Brennen went in country in 2013 and 2015 ….
He relates to his trios to meet the fallen CIA people brought home to their families…
But this only embolden him to support the mission these people gave their lives for and NOT just walk away…..
Evaluating Nearly 20 Years In Afghanistan
George Packer: “If the purpose of the Afghan War was to prevent terrorists from using Afghanistan to stage attacks on the United States, America could have declared victory and gone home years ago. But if the purpose was also to help build a durable state—to prevent the Taliban from taking power again, destroying the hard-won progress made by millions of Afghan citizens, and perhaps allowing radical Islamists to regain a base on Afghan soil—then the longest war in U.S. history is ending in defeat.”
“President Joe Biden’s announcement that all American forces will be withdrawn by September 11—a neat two decades after the attacks that propelled the U.S. into Afghanistan—simply gives a date after which the clock on the demise of the Afghan government will begin to tick.”
Eliot Cohen: “This is, then, a humbling moment for the United States.”
“I thought I’d be happy. It doesn’t feel like a win,” he said. “It’s just really empty.”
Nearly 800,000 people served in Afghanistan in the U.S. military, and many of them are reflecting anew on what the war achieved and the meaning of their individual parts in it.
Following withdrawal announcement, battle to determine Afghanistan war’s legacy begins
About 2,300 U.S. service members died in the conflict, the longest in American history, and 20,000 more were wounded in action. Nearly 30,000 U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan at least five times, according to data released by the Pentagon. Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians also were killed, and the United States spent more than $2 trillion prosecuting the war.
The planned departure has evoked a range of emotions among veterans of the conflict…
More…
So Packer admits that the Afghan government can never stand on its own.
Why?
Well we are told that the Taliban have aPakistani sanctuary.Thats true.They do.What have we done about it in 20 years?Besides jawboning the Pakistanis ?Nothing nor will we.
So we are back to DSDs point.We could stay for another 20 years and the country will look pretty much like it does not.We can leave and the country will gradually revert to what it was in pre 2001.
The Taliban in nominal control with the concomitant rise of various militias and the rise of a new breed of “warlords” in varying degrees of control in the more rugged areas (a new “Northern Alliance”).
The fact is the American people lost interest in this years ago,particularly after bin Laden was killed.Today, it’s nothing but a relic of a bygone era.
And that’s pretty much it.
My point coincides with Packer….
Yes…
They can’t….
But my issue IS IF the Taliban comes in a conquers and there is a mass blood letting?
It WILL BE on Joseph Biden’s watch and head…
An orderly phased withdrawal over a longer time period IS the right answer and will probably be the actual way things are done if Biden is smart….
A drop and run is a prelude to a disaster ….
My feeling is that Biden will modify the pan and leave some assets in place as will NATO…
The ‘lost interest’ does NOT deal with the suffering of the people in that country that worked with the West to free themselves from domination…
America leaving the place to stew on its own and possibly become breading ground for exporting terrorist’s would only lead to America having to go back in to deal with the problem….
Packer and I could be wrong…
Joe Biden could be right…
Most informed people doubt that right now….
We’ll see….
Yes we all know you are part of …
“ informed people.”
Apparently Joe Biden isn’t.
Again Jack?
We’ll see….
In his speech yesterday and in Blinken’s talking to the Afghan’s?
There IS an acknowledgement that things may NOT go as planned….
Well like I say…
You are an
“Informed people”
Don’t worry too much James
There’ll be another War soon I’m sure and you can holler”boots on the ground!”boots on the ground!”
More on ur point DSD about Pakistan, Afghanistan and EVERYBODY else over there..
Bigger role for Pakistan?
Biden’s decision to pull out troops from Afghanistan will also give an upper hand to regional players, which are vying for a bigger role in the country. Countries like Pakistan, India, China and Russia have their own strategic interests, which are better served without a US presence in Afghanistan.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who held talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin earlier this week, told DW that Islamabad will remain an important player in the Afghan peace process.
“Pakistan will benefit from peace in Afghanistan. It will open the door to increased trade with Kabul, and many pending development projects can be completed,” he said.
Pakistan has been wary of an increased role of its regional rival India in Afghanistan since the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.
Experts say that the 2020 US-Taliban deal would not have been possible without Islamabad’s backing. Pakistan has a considerable influence over the Taliban, and it played a key role in bringing the insurgents to the negotiating table.
Yet Pakistan wants a strong role for the Taliban in future Afghan governance. Its regional interests are better served with a powerful Taliban presence in its western neighborhood. This, however, would not guarantee peace in Afghanistan…
More…
Oddly enough, that particular extract does not mention the neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran (Shi’a) which generally would be opposed to the militantly Wahhabi Sunni Taliban. However I’ve occasionally read accounts that suggest Iran and her Revolutionary Guard may be a little more equivocal, siding with the Taliban against increased U.S. & Western influence in Iran’s “backyard”.
Might turn into a free for all, yea DSD…
Might be. Big unstable mess…
Just the world needs right now?
Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed Sunday that she was the last person in the room before President Joe Biden made the decision to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.
In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” Harris was asked about being the last person in the room regarding major decisions, something that Biden has said is important to him in his working relationship with the vice president. Harris confirmed that was the case regarding the move to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11….
More…