Current Affairs Afghanistan

[JimmyJeffers]

Which may not be unrelated to this



Now I "know" Brexit really, really, really wasn't about immigration, but still...

Immigration and asylum deemed a bigger issue than the environment gives a fair indication of just how screwed we are.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Immigration and asylum deemed a bigger issue than the environment gives a fair indication of just how screwed we are.

It's a state isn't it?

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Very much this. They just go into the mountains or into the pashtun populated areas of Pakistan.

It looks like they have quite a lot of support, the cities haven't even tried to fight them.

I think your average Afghan is sick of war and fighting.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

I think your average Afghan is sick of war and fighting.

Goddam man think about shareholders (BA etc) the pensions the bleeding pensions man.

 

[arminisgod]

don't be suprised if we actually do something

 

[PhilM]

don't be suprised if we actually do something

In what way? Believe me, there's no will or desire from NATO to intervene in Afghanistan again bar, perhaps, some sneaky-beaky stuff to slow them down.

 

[arminisgod]

In what way? Believe me, there's no will or desire from NATO to intervene in Afghanistan again bar, perhaps, some sneaky-beaky stuff to slow them down.

Who said nato? but i believe Boris may see it as a PR oppurtunity and certainly India has a hell of a lot riding in Afghan

 

[PhilM]

Who said nato? but i believe Boris may see it as a PR oppurtunity and certainly India has a hell of a lot riding in Afghan

The UK alone? No chance. Without the US throwing their air power in, which would need to be a sustained campaign, it'd fail let alone be a political mess.

Now that Bagram has fell and has been left to ruin, it would mean sending thousands of troops in to secure a beachhead before considering equipment.

And India - you mean, like bypass their arch-nemesis Pakistan, and get involved? For the UK, it'd be a greater political nightmare and a financial rabbit hole.

For India, it'd be far too much of a risk when you consider geo-politics although admittedly the Taliban taking control again isn't in their best interests.

Sadly, Afghanistan will fall and the effort, sacrifice and turmoil over the last twenty-years will be thrown away in a matter of weeks.

 

[peteblue]

Which may not be unrelated to this



Now I "know" Brexit really, really, really wasn't about immigration, but still...

Bruce this thread is not really about immigration or Brexit though…….

 

[peteblue]

The Home Office has directly said that they're limiting the numbers because it might "encourage other people" who are in dire need to seek help.

And that is a disgrace. This is not an immigration issue. This is about supporting those who directly supported the U.K. and whose lives may be in danger. There should be no need to ‘limit’ numbers…..

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

The UK alone? No chance. Without the US throwing their air power in, which would need to be a sustained campaign, it'd fail let alone be a political mess.

We have the Chamberlain comedy moment from Boris with "lets eat cake in our time". Still time for his comedy take on Eden.

 

[PhilM]

The collapse was coming as soon as the US withdrew. I remember watching them train the Afghans. They pretty much didn’t know their left from their right, couldn’t march or follow simple instructions. No way they could form a capable army.

I think they only had around ten thousand “capable” troops. No where near enough to defend a country of that size given the Taliban had been attacking from both sides of the country.

As soon as the air power was removed, the game was up.

The question now is, does this make or less safe in Western Countries. Thousands of Afghans have died over the two decades because of western involvement. Now they have more weaponry that they can count and at least some military training.

You can throw as much money and equipment at an 'army' as much as you like but that does not, and will not, make it an effective and reliable fighting force.

Without going into too much detail, for a multitude of reasons the ANA is not (or was not) a professional, dedicated, well-trained or well-disciplined entity.

Unless everyone is fighting along the same lines and for the same reason(s), you're going to end up with a fractured force and that's the basics of it.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

don't be suprised if we actually do something

Like what exactly?

 

[Deleted member 48881]

 

[BigMick]

"History will judge us harshly if we allow the hope of a liberated Afghanistan to evaporate because we failed to stay the course".

Joe Biden 2002


Survey of Afghanistan public opinion 2019:
https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019_Afghan_Survey_Full-Report.pdf

85.1% no sympathy with the Taliban.