Joe Biden decides to call time on America's longest war in Afghanistan

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-withdrawal/biden-to-declare-it-is-time-to-end-americas-longest-war-in-afghanistan-idUSKBN2C10DL?il=0

President Joe Biden will declare on Wednesday he plans to end the longest U.S. war and that it is “time for American troops to come home” from Afghanistan, looking to close the book on 20 years of U.S. military involvement there even as critics warn that peace is not assured. “We went to Afghanistan because of a horrific attack that happened 20 years ago,” Biden will say, according to excerpts of his speech released by the White House. “That cannot explain why we should remain there in 2021.”

Biden is set to announce in a speech scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EDT (1815 GMT) at the White House that all 2,500 U.S. troops remaining in Afghanistan will be withdrawn no later than Sept. 11. By pulling out without a clear victory, the United States opens itself to criticism that a withdrawal represents a de facto admission of failure.

“I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats,” Biden will say. “I will not pass this responsibility to a fifth.”

“It is time to end America’s longest war. It is time for American troops to come home,” he will say.

Sept. 11 is a highly symbolic date, coming 20 years to the day of al Qaeda’s attacks on the United States that prompted then-President George W. Bush to launch the conflict. The war has cost the lives of 2,400 American service members and consumed an estimated $2 trillion. U.S. troop numbers in Afghanistan peaked at more than 100,000 in 2011.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, saying foreign troops under NATO command in Afghanistan will leave the country in coordination with the U.S. withdrawal by Sept. 11, after Germany said it would match American plans.

Blinken also spoke by phone with Pakistan’s army chief on Wednesday and discussed the peace process, according to a statement from the media wing of Pakistan’s military.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter that he has spoken with Biden and he respects the U.S. decision. Ghani added that “we will work with our U.S. partners to ensure a smooth transition” and “we will continue to work with our US/NATO partners in the ongoing peace efforts.” The Democratic president had faced a May 1 withdrawal deadline, set by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, who tried but failed to pull the troops out before he left office. Biden’s decision will keep troops in Afghanistan past that deadline, but officials suggested troops could fully depart before Sept. 11.

There is a summit planned about Afghanistan starting on April 24 in Istanbul that is due to include the United Nations and Qatar.

The Taliban, ousted from power in 2001 by U.S.-led forces, said it would not take part in any meetings that would make decisions about Afghanistan until all foreign forces had left the country. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Wednesday called on the United States to adhere to the deal the group reached with Trump’s administration.

“If the agreement is committed to, the remaining problems will also be solved,” Mujahid wrote on Twitter. “If the agreement is not committed to ... the problems will certainly increase.” In Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul, officials said they would carry on with peace talks and their forces defending the country.

“Now that there is an announcement on foreign troops withdrawal within several months, we need to find a way to coexist,” said Abdullah Abdullah, a top peace official and former presidential candidate. “We believe that there is no winner in Afghan conflicts and we hope the Taliban realize that too.”

U.S. officials can claim to have decimated al Qaeda’s core leadership in the region years ago, including tracking down and killing the group’s leader Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan in 2011. But ties between the Taliban and al Qaeda elements persist and peace and security remain elusive. Successive U.S. presidents sought to extricate themselves from Afghanistan, but those hopes were confounded by concerns about Afghan security forces, endemic corruption in Afghanistan and the resiliency of a Taliban insurgency that enjoyed safe haven across the border in Pakistan.

There is concern over the impact a withdrawal would have on human rights in Afghanistan given the gains, particularly for women and girls, during the past two decades.

“I am worried about my future,” said Wida Saghar, a writer and women’s rights activist in Kabul. “An unknown future awaits us, when foreign forces leave and the civil war intensifies ... then who will think about women’s rights? Who will care about us?”

 

[Last Monetarist]

Two decades of pain and frustration about to come to a close.

 

[Giannis]

I'm pretty sure there are still going to be troops on the ground just as there are right now in Iraq and Syria even though in the public eye we pulled out of the former and have no presence in the latter.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Two decades of pain and frustration about to come to a close.

Well said.

This documentary by Vice still haunts me. So many broken dreams, so many lives destroyed and so much misery...

This is what winning looks like

 

[PakLFC]

They have won nothing! Will return home all banged up with there tail between their legs! America is no more safer today then it was directly after 9/11.

 

[Bigboii]

They have won nothing! Will return home all banged up with there tail between their legs! America is no more safer today then it was directly after 9/11.

It didn't collapse like the ummah, lal topi types were claiming did it? ...
In fact it's probably stronger than ever

 

[PakLFC]

It didn't collapse like the ummah, lal topi types were claiming did it? ...
In fact it's probably stronger than ever

This Ummah thing has never existed in reality like Hasan Nisar has rightfully often said. I would not worry about this Allama Iqbal obsessed fool that is Zaid Hamid who see's conspiracies everywhere. By the way what did not collapse like the Ummah?

 

[Bigboii]

This Ummah thing has never existed in reality like Hasan Nisar has rightfully often said. I would not worry about this Allama Iqbal obsessed fool that is Zaid Hamid who see's conspiracies everywhere. By the way what did not collapse like the Ummah?

US, ummah types were saying US would collapse after Afghanistan war, clearly didn't..

 

[PakLFC]

US, ummah types were saying US would collapse after Afghanistan war, clearly didn't..

That is true but the American's have not won the Afghan war either. They have wasted trillions on this meaningless war and lost thousands of soldiers too. The Afghans have nothing to lose.

 

[Bi_Jamalo]

What will happen to the incumbent Afghan government now?
And what will happen to all the Indian investment in Afghanistan?

 

[Robert]

So what will happen now? Will the Taliban take over again and turn Afghanistan back into a theocracy?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So what will happen now? Will the Taliban take over again and turn Afghanistan back into a theocracy?

What difference will it make in reality? Afghans already live that sort of lifestyle across most of the country.

 

[Robert]

What difference will it make in reality? Afghans already live that sort of lifestyle across most of the country.

It will make the government-held areas worse, particularly for women.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It will make the government-held areas worse, particularly for women.

Govt held areas shouldn't need support of foreign troops to implement social reform. This has to come from within, and if the local people support the govt then reforms will take hold.

 

[Robert]

Govt held areas shouldn't need support of foreign troops to implement social reform. This has to come from within, and if the local people support the govt then reforms will take hold.

I agree on the first point.

On the second, the Taliban still has widespread support so I think the ISAF mission has been a colossal waste of life and resources, as was the Soviet intervention before it.

Afghanistan has been at war for forty years and for what?

 

[Technics 1210]

The media dupe the sheep yet again! When Trump suggested he was going to withdraw troops and end the war in Afghanistan, he was riddiculed. Now sleep Joe does the same and he is being praised.

Never trust a lefty; they are not loyal to their disciplines and never consistent with their opinions.

 

[Varun]

How many times have we heard this?

3rd President in a row.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

So what will happen now? Will the Taliban take over again and turn Afghanistan back into a theocracy?

Taliban already control more than 50% of area

They never left.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

The media dupe the sheep yet again! When Trump suggested he was going to withdraw troops and end the war in Afghanistan, he was riddiculed. Now sleep Joe does the same and he is being praised.

Never trust a lefty; they are not loyal to their disciplines and never consistent with their opinions.

I got a sad feeling that after 1st of May, some random faction amongst Taliban will attack US/Nato bases and Biden will have his excuse to prolong the war.

Trump despite all his faults was never a warmonger which both Obama (Obomber) and Biden are.

 

[Firebat]

Blinken visits Afghanistan in show of support after Biden announces withdrawal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Kabul on Thursday in an unannounced visit to show support for the Afghan government a day after U.S. President Joe Biden said that he was pulling out U.S. forces after nearly 20 years of war.

Biden acknowledged that U.S. objectives in Afghanistan had become “increasingly unclear” over the past decade and set a deadline for withdrawing all U.S. troops remaining in Afghanistan by Sept. 11, exactly two decades after al Qaeda’s attacks on the United States that triggered the war.

Foreign troops under NATO command will also withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with the U.S. pullout.

Blinken, arriving in Kabul after attending NATO talks in Brussels, met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, whose government remains embroiled in fierce fighting with Taliban insurgents while a U.S.-backed peace process is shrouded in uncertainty.

The top U.S. diplomat tried to reassure Ghani that despite the departure of U.S. troops, the United States would remain committed to Afghanistan, saying Washington will “intensify” its diplomacy to do “everything we can” to advance efforts to secure a peace agreement between Kabul and the insurgents.

“The reason I’m here, so quickly after the president’s speech last night, is to demonstrate literally, by our presence, that we have an enduring an ongoing commitment to Afghanistan,” Blinken said at the embassy, according to a press pool report.

He was in Kabul for about eight hours.

The foreign troop withdrawals have raised concerns that the country could erupt in full-scale civil war, providing al Qaeda space in which to rebuild and plan new attacks on U.S. and other targets.

In his meeting with Ghani at the presidential palace, Blinken assured the Afghan president that “the partnership is changing, but the partnership is enduring.”

Later at a press conference at the heavily fortified American embassy, where earlier he had greeted U.S. soldiers, Blinken warned the Taliban that any attack on American troops as they pulled out would be met with “a very forceful response.”

Blinken also met with Abdullah Abdullah, the head of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, who expressed support for the U.S. decision.

“This does not mean the end of relations and cooperation between the two countries. A new chapter of relations and cooperation between the two countries has returned and we will continue our cooperation in various fields in this chapter,” Abdullah said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...fter-biden-announces-withdrawal-idUSKBN2C21HU

 

[silentkiller187]

Another defeat in Afghanistan , or is it mission accomplished in destabilizing the region once again?

 

[Markhor]

Afghans have been at each other's throats for 40 years now, with foreign governments aiding and abetting the bloodshed by funding various factions to increase their leverage.

At some point this has to end. Biden opposed Obama's 2009 troop surge so the outcome of this review is not surprising. However many deadlines have been missed before, and don't see why the Taliban wouldn't simply wait it out until September before launching a decisive military offensive.

The Afghan Government cannot complain too loudly however. For 20 years it's had the opportunity, albeit in extremely trying circumstances, to provide functioning governance for its people and meet basic needs. Instead it has been mired in corruption and warlordism, and faces the fate of South Vietnam.

 

[Varun]

2008 Obama: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2012 Obama: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2016 Trump: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2020 Biden: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2024 Trump: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2028 Harris: We're leaving Afghanistan!
2032 AOC: We're leaving Afghanistan!

 

[shaz619]

It will make the government-held areas worse, particularly for women.

Since when did you become an advocate for women’s rights in the subcontinent and also a walking, talking bible on the impact of foreign interventions impact on destabilisation of a region ?

Am pretty sure you were advocating the re-integration of rapists in society

 

[MenInG]

NEW DELHI: India is concerned about a vacuum developing in Afghanistan following the proposed withdrawal of United States and NATO forces from the country, the chief of the defence staff said on Thursday.

General Bipin Rawat told a security conference that the worry was “disruptors” would step into the space created by the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. He declined to name the countries that could act as spoilers.

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US troops would withdraw from Afghanistan starting on May 1 to end America’s longest war, rejecting calls for them to stay to ensure a peaceful resolution to that nation’s grinding internal conflict.

“Our concern is that the vacuum that will be created by the withdrawal of the United States and NATO should not create space for disruptors,” Rawat said.

India’s big worry is that instability in Afghanistan could spill over into Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) where it has been suppressing a freedom movement for three decades.

It is also concerned that Pakistan will gain a bigger hand in Afghanistan because of its long-standing ties with the Taliban, who are expected to play a dominant role once the United States leaves.

“There are many people looking for an opportunity to walk into the space being created,” Rawat said.

India invested $3 billion in Afghanistan on roads, power stations and even built its parliament following the ousting of the Taliban in 2001.

Rawat said India would be happy to provide more support to Afghanistan so long as peace can return.

Biden said that US objectives in Afghanistan had become “increasingly unclear” over the past decade.

 

[maverick85]

I agree on the first point.

On the second, the Taliban still has widespread support so I think the ISAF mission has been a colossal waste of life and resources, as was the Soviet intervention before it.

Afghanistan has been at war for forty years and for what?

To figure out who will be the caretakers of the immense mineral wealth under their feet. They stand on 3 trillion dollars worth of lithium. Guess what's around the corner? The electric car revolution

 

[PakLFC]

According the the American media after 9/11 Osama Bin Laden wanted to first and foremost ruin the American economy by getting them to fight the Muslim's. OBL would be rather happy with how it has all pan out.

 

[ahmedzee]

US entered war on terror to do the following:
- Al qaida to be dismantled along with Taliban.
- rule of Afghanistan to be given to northern alliance
- develop Afghanistan and use the land as a base in the region as their stronghold

How things look like right now:
- Taliban is stronger than ever in Afghanistan and even has majority support from people.
- development of Afghanistan did take place indeed but remained within Kabul.
- US to have no stronghold in the region as they’re surrounded by non allies like China and Russia.

So what did US achieve apart from damage to economy and loss of life ? Isn’t this another Vietnam ?

 

[Bigboii]

This is just the beginning US is heading for a major changes under this administration

People always thaught of biden as the dumb old guy but I think he is sneaky fast pitcher

Looks like a dumba** but gets the job done, in just couple of months he is on his way to passing two massive plans with budget of over trillion dollars

My bet/prediction in just a couple of years he'll dramatically change US for better or for worse but major changes in US's internal and external affairs are on the way...

He is no obama who believes in the liberal democracy's concept of slow steady changes with consensus nor is he a political novice like Trump infact after LBJ he is one of the most shrewdest politicians in modern history of the US as someone who followed his senate career, his "debates" and how he destroyed people before the dementia he is suffering now

I am not sensing an ordinary president in him
he is the LBJ,Reagan,FDR type president who can cause major changes in outlook of US

 

[Robert]

I got a sad feeling that after 1st of May, some random faction amongst Taliban will attack US/Nato bases and Biden will have his excuse to prolong the war.

Trump despite all his faults was never a warmonger which both Obama (Obomber) and Biden are.

Reducing troop deployments is not “warmongering”.

Trump launched twice as many drone strikes as Obama.

It’s interesting to note that China has built a military base close to Afghanistan. I wonder what their interest is. Worried about Taliban activities?

 

[Robert]

To figure out who will be the caretakers of the immense mineral wealth under their feet. They stand on 3 trillion dollars worth of lithium. Guess what's around the corner? The electric car revolution

If that is true, turning a nation back into a medieval theocracy isn’t a good way to exploit those resources.

 

[Robert]

This is just the beginning US is heading for a major changes under this administration

People always thaught of biden as the dumb old guy but I think he is sneaky fast pitcher

Looks like a dumba** but gets the job done, in just couple of months he is on his way to passing two massive plans with budget of over trillion dollars

My bet/prediction in just a couple of years he'll dramatically change US for better or for worse but major changes in US's internal and external affairs are on the way...

He is no obama who believes in the liberal democracy's concept of slow steady changes with consensus nor is he a political novice like Trump infact after LBJ he is one of the most shrewdest politicians in modern history of the US as someone who followed his senate career, his "debates" and how he destroyed people before the dementia he is suffering now

I am not sensing an ordinary president in him
he is the LBJ,Reagan,FDR type president who can cause major changes in outlook of US

Good analysis.

Looking back at his career as a Senator, he has been something special. I wonder why the Dems didn’t advance him decades ago. He was more impressive than Gore, and I think he would have beaten Trump in 2016.

I guess the personal tragedies stalled his career when he was at peak capability.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday called for progress in the peace process before all foreign forces leave Afghanistan in a first formal reaction to President Joe Biden's announcement to end the longest foreign war in American history.

While the Biden administration said troops withdrawal cannot be conditioned based any more, Islamabad believes that drawdown has to be accompanied by progress in the peace process.

This means that Pakistan in so many words want the foreign forces to stay on till some tangible progress is made in the peace efforts.

"In our view, it is important that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan coincides with the progress in the peace process," said a foreign office in a formal reaction to the Biden's decision to complete the troop withdrawal by September 11.

Read: US president presses Pakistan as he announces end to 'forever war' in Afghanistan

"We hope that the forthcoming meeting of Afghan leadership in Turkey would be an important opportunity for Afghans to make progress towards a negotiated political settlement," the statement said.

"In this regard, we support the principle of responsible troop withdrawal in coordination with Afghan stakeholders. We also hope the U.S. will continue to urge the Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity for achieving a political settlement in Afghanistan," the statement added.

It said Pakistan had been consistently supporting and facilitating the efforts for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

"We believe there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and a negotiated political solution through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process is important for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan."

Towards this end, the U.S.-Taliban Agreement of 29 February 2020 laid the foundation for a comprehensive intra-Afghan peace agreement including a permanent ceasefire for bringing an end to violence in Afghanistan, the statement said.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan had consistently reiterated that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in our interest.

"Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment for a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan."

The spokesperson said a meaningful engagement of the international community for promoting reconstruction and economic development in post-conflict Afghanistan was important for ensuring sustainable peace and stability.

"Pakistan believes that another key feature in the efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan should be a time-bound and well-resourced plan for the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland and their reintegration in Afghanistan."

Pakistan will continue to work together with the international community in the efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, according to the statement.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2294930/pakistan-backs-responsible-us-troop-withdrawal

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan would continue to extend all possible support to the efforts for a political solution for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office, PM Imran expressed these remarks during a telephone call from Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest including further strengthening of bilateral relations in all areas.

In the regional context, the official statement said, the prime minister stressed the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan ahead of the recently announced US forces' withdrawal from the war-torn country.

It said that the premier highlighted that Pakistan has fully supported and facilitated the US-Taliban peace agreement and the subsequent initiation of intra-Afghan negotiations.

He stressed that the intra-Afghan negotiations provided a historic opportunity which must be seized by the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

Appreciating Turkey’s role, the prime minister said that Pakistan would continue to extend all possible support to the efforts for a political solution for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

It was agreed that the momentum of high-level exchanges would be continued to transform bilateral relations into strategic economic partnership.

The two leaders also exchanged felicitations on the advent of the holy month of Ramazan.

Earlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa welcomed US President Joe Biden’s announcement of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Septembers this year.

The statement comes after Angela Ageler, US Charge d’ Affairs to Pakistan, called on General Qamar, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and overall regional security situation including recent developments in Afghan peace process were discussed in detail, it added.

“The COAS welcomed President Biden’s announcement of withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan by September 2021,” the ISPR handout read.

The Foreign Office also called for progress in the peace process before all foreign forces leave Afghanistan in a first formal reaction to Biden's announcement to end the longest foreign war in American history.

While the Biden administration said troops withdrawal cannot be conditioned based any more, Islamabad believes that drawdown has to be accompanied by progress in the peace process.

This means that Pakistan in so many words want the foreign forces to stay on till some tangible progress is made in the peace efforts.

"In our view, it is important that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan coincides with the progress in the peace process," the FO said in a formal reaction to the Biden's decision to complete the troop withdrawal by September 11.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/229495...able-peace-in-afghanistan-imran-tells-erdogan

 

[Robert]

Since when did you become an advocate for women’s rights in the subcontinent and also a walking, talking bible on the impact of foreign interventions impact on destabilisation of a region ?

Am pretty sure you were advocating the re-integration of rapists in society

I’m an advocate of women’s rights, full stop.

I advocate re-integration of offenders into society. There is wrongdoing, there is punishment according to the level of offence, and then there is re-integration. This is how the British justice system works. If offenders stop offending, great. If they re-offend, there is more severe punishment.

 

[maverick85]

If that is true, turning a nation back into a medieval theocracy isn’t a good way to exploit those resources.

Like it was done with the poppy fields?

 

[Robert]

Like it was done with the poppy fields?

A medieval theocratic narco-state is not the model one should follow.

 

[maverick85]

A medieval theocratic narco-state is not the model one should follow.

give over with the holier than thou attitude. this is happening in chinas backyard. china is a totally different country now than it was back in 2001. the spice must flow

 

[Robert]

give over with the holier than thou attitude. this is happening in chinas backyard. china is a totally different country now than it was back in 2001. the spice must flow

I make no apology for taking a moral stance.

Is China going to make morphine and other medical opiates with the Afghan heroin?

 

[OMB]

 

[Bigboii]

View attachment 108667

respect to the Chinese guy

The neoconservative hawks with their child-like brains put us into this mess and the US deservedly LOST the war, YES you are BIG LOSERS, and may you continue to lose when you treat warlike sports to test your new toys

MOre loses to come if you don't learn from this experience, more explaining to your kids why we are such big losers
I loved this exchange

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Will the US Military Industrial complex allow this ?
Oh Well, there will be some other country they will find which needs freedom.

 

[Pakpak]

I got a sad feeling that after 1st of May, some random faction amongst Taliban will attack US/Nato bases and Biden will have his excuse to prolong the war.

Trump despite all his faults was never a warmonger which both Obama (Obomber) and Biden are.

Imagine if India killed Bajwa and bragged about it. Would you call that 'not a war mongerer'?

That's what Trump did to Iran. Tried his absolute best for a war from ripping up agreements to killing their COS. Trump was as much a killer as every other US president. He would have destroyed Syria too but it was already ruined when he came along.

 

[ahmedzee]

Reducing troop deployments is not “warmongering”.

Trump launched twice as many drone strikes as Obama.

It’s interesting to note that China has built a military base close to Afghanistan. I wonder what their interest is. Worried about Taliban activities?

That's not true Robert. Obama is the only president with that many drone strikes. With all the failures in his regime, atleast Trump reduced the strikes and actually was the one who decided to pull the troops.

Biden on the otherhand entered his presidency with a massive strike in Syria, and disagreeing to Afghan Peace Deal, only to be on board but for September (and not May 1 as was originally the case).

The September date is also pure politics, as he is going to declare victory for America, for a war that I feel they actually lost, just like Vietnam.

 

[Stewie]

That's not true Robert. Obama is the only president with that many drone strikes. With all the failures in his regime, atleast Trump reduced the strikes and actually was the one who decided to pull the troops.

Biden on the otherhand entered his presidency with a massive strike in Syria, and disagreeing to Afghan Peace Deal, only to be on board but for September (and not May 1 as was originally the case).

The September date is also pure politics, as he is going to declare victory for America, for a war that I feel they actually lost, just like Vietnam.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2...rump-drone-strikes-far-exceed-obama-s-numbers


What you have is a fairly common misconception and misinformation.

 

[Markhor]

This is just the beginning US is heading for a major changes under this administration

People always thaught of biden as the dumb old guy but I think he is sneaky fast pitcher

Looks like a dumba** but gets the job done, in just couple of months he is on his way to passing two massive plans with budget of over trillion dollars

My bet/prediction in just a couple of years he'll dramatically change US for better or for worse but major changes in US's internal and external affairs are on the way...

He is no obama who believes in the liberal democracy's concept of slow steady changes with consensus nor is he a political novice like Trump infact after LBJ he is one of the most shrewdest politicians in modern history of the US as someone who followed his senate career, his "debates" and how he destroyed people before the dementia he is suffering now

I am not sensing an ordinary president in him
he is the LBJ,Reagan,FDR type president who can cause major changes in outlook of US

I really hope so. He surprised me and a lot of progressives with the Pandemic Relief Plan, I thought he'd waste months in a futile effort negotiating with Republicans like Obama did with the 2009 Stimulus for sake of "bipartisanship" which DC media love to wax lyrical about. And that Stimulus was too watered down and prolonged the Recession.

Instead he did a token negotiation, found the GOP weren't serious, and pushed through the original plan through Reconciliation without unnecessary compromises.

I also liked dispatching VP Harris to West Virginia and getting their Governor to do an interview supporting the Relief Plan, putting pressure on Sen Manchin whereas Obama was too often unwilling or unable to use his leverage on conservative Senate Democrats.

As for foreign policy, if he re-enters the Iran nuclear deal (foolishly torn up by The Former Guy simply because his predecessor signed it) that'll be another tick. The move to stop selling offensive weapons to Saudi was also a tick, though he should've sanctioned MBS instead of simply publishing a report that revealed the obvious.

This Afghanistan move is also p-ing off the right people. Apparently the Pentagon are against this (hence why picking Lloyd Austin who seems a yes-man at DOD was shrewd). Already Swamp Creatures like David Petraeus and Jack Keane are crying.

 

[Robert]

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2...rump-drone-strikes-far-exceed-obama-s-numbers

What you have is a fairly common misconception and misinformation.

Sadly, several people on this board fell for the same disinfo.

 

[Robert]

respect to the Chinese guy

The neoconservative hawks with their child-like brains put us into this mess and the US deservedly LOST the war, YES you are BIG LOSERS, and may you continue to lose when you treat warlike sports to test your new toys

MOre loses to come if you don't learn from this experience, more explaining to your kids why we are such big losers
I loved this exchange

You have reverted to simplistic Trumpian language.

The question is complex because there have been several nations involved in several stages with different objectives.

1. USA mission to get Bin Laden - achieved.

2. NATO-led ISAF mission to support Karzai government- achieved.

3. NATO-led Resolute Support mission - train, advise and assist government forces again the Taliban - I think this will fail, ultimately.

 

[Stewie]

You have reverted to simplistic Trumpian language.

The question is complex because there have been several nations involved in several stages with different objectives.

1. USA mission to get Bin Laden - achieved.

2. NATO-led ISAF mission to support Karzai government- achieved.

3. NATO-led Resolute Support mission - train, advise and assist government forces again the Taliban - I think this will fail, ultimately.

Robert, I think your view here is the simplistic one.

The war on terror is a war against an ideology and I don’t think there is any way US can win that war using conventional tactics. Yes they got Bin Laden and whatnot, but do you feel Middle East and Afghanistan is any safer or better off than it was before 9/11? Are the people there any more “freer” than they were before? Is the threat of radical so called Islamist terrorism eradicated?

I don’t think the answers to these questions are any favorable to the goals set by the US. Not to mention the trillions of dollars of debt we have accumulated and the only thing to show for is Bin Laden?

The Taliban are still here... and US is now negotiating with them. Lol

 

[Major]

Really sad about this decision. I would had preferred had US stayed and keep the Afghanis in check

This is really a bad decision for Pakistan. The taliban could come back anytime. The situation will detriorate. Afghani's cant rule themselves, they dont even have a proper army.

Really really bad decision.

 

[ahmedzee]

You have reverted to simplistic Trumpian language.

The question is complex because there have been several nations involved in several stages with different objectives.

1. USA mission to get Bin Laden - achieved.

2. NATO-led ISAF mission to support Karzai government- achieved.

3. NATO-led Resolute Support mission - train, advise and assist government forces again the Taliban - I think this will fail, ultimately.

4. Stabilize Afghanistan and make it Taliban free, not achieved.
5. Support reintegration of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran, not achieved.
6. Security in the region, not achieved.

 

[Robert]

Robert, I think your view here is the simplistic one.

The war on terror is a war against an ideology and I don’t think there is any way US can win that war using conventional tactics. Yes they got Bin Laden and whatnot, but do you feel Middle East and Afghanistan is any safer or better off than it was before 9/11? Are the people there any more “freer” than they were before? Is the threat of radical so called Islamist terrorism eradicated?

I don’t think the answers to these questions are any favorable to the goals set by the US. Not to mention the trillions of dollars of debt we have accumulated and the only thing to show for is Bin Laden?

The Taliban are still here... and US is now negotiating with them. Lol

Ah, but we were not discussing TWonT but US involvement in Afghanistan, which at times has been part of NATO involvement authorised by the UN, and not the MidEast generally. It’s not all one thing.

 

[cric_man]

Really sad about this decision. I would had preferred had US stayed and keep the Afghanis in check

This is really a bad decision for Pakistan. The taliban could come back anytime. The situation will detriorate. Afghani's cant rule themselves, they dont even have a proper army.

Really really bad decision.

The US has spent over a trillion dollars in AFG over the past 20+ years. The 2 decades has seen over 100k afghans killed, Pakistan destabilized. What does the US and its cohorts have to show for? They have not been able to raise a basic functioning government and a standing security apparatus. The much touted female liberation or atleast getting afghan women basic rights -- has that happened? Are regular afghans even slightly better off that before?
And you want US to stick around for another 50 years?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I make no apology for taking a moral stance.

Is China going to make morphine and other medical opiates with the Afghan heroin?

I don't know about that, but there's a good chance that China will probably adopt a more diplomatic approach to getting access to those trillions of dollars worth of minerals on Afghan territory. Given Pakistan is also a regional player and already has close ties with China, they could have some influence as well.

 

[KingKhanWC]

USA after 20 years will leave defeated as expected from day one of the immoral invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.

More than 40 of the worlds biggest armies arrived in one of the poorest nations on the planet but none could counter the resistance forces.

This will go down in history as the one of the worse defeats in wars. Highly embarrasing for the Yanks and it's lapdogs from around the world.

Biden had no choice, it was already agreed the invaders would leave in May this year.

After 2 decades of state terrorist forces occupying a nation, there will of course be a power struggle which will lead to some sort of civil conflict.

Leave the Afghans alone for a few decades, they will sort themselves out.

Invade them gain, you will face a heavy defeat as history has proven.

 

[Robert]

I don't know about that, but there's a good chance that China will probably adopt a more diplomatic approach to getting access to those trillions of dollars worth of minerals on Afghan territory. Given Pakistan is also a regional player and already has close ties with China, they could have some influence as well.

China will take over, in other words. Not necessarily militarily, but economically, getting the lithium and the opiates out.

No foreign power has ever taken Afghanistan, but I bet China will.

 

[Robert]

USA after 20 years will leave defeated as expected from day one of the immoral invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.

More than 40 of the worlds biggest armies arrived in one of the poorest nations on the planet but none could counter the resistance forces.

This will go down in history as the one of the worse defeats in wars. Highly embarrasing for the Yanks and it's lapdogs from around the world.

Biden had no choice, it was already agreed the invaders would leave in May this year.

After 2 decades of state terrorist forces occupying a nation, there will of course be a power struggle which will lead to some sort of civil conflict.

Leave the Afghans alone for a few decades, they will sort themselves out.

Invade them gain, you will face a heavy defeat as history has proven.

Four decades counting the USSR, and Afghanistan was in civil war before that. When will they ever have peace?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Four decades counting the USSR, and Afghanistan was in civil war before that. When will they ever have peace?

Or we can go back further to when the Brits invaded in the late 1800's.

You cannot defeat these people by military means, it's impossible. Sure we have some clowns suggesting drop the nuke on them but even this wont stop those left from resisting, not to mention a cowardly form of terrorism which could lead to a wider serious war.

The women dress up from head to toe because of Afghan women being raped for centuries from the time of Alexander the Great. Yet people show little understanding and spread hate, calling them backward , extremists etc.

Afghans esp in the rural areas are some of the most humle and hospitable people you could ever meet. They are human beings and deserve to live a free life, away from invading foriegners pointing guns at them or bombing their villages to pieces.

No Yank or Brit or German will charged with war crimes, God will be their judge.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

China will take over, in other words. Not necessarily militarily, but economically, getting the lithium and the opiates out.

No foreign power has ever taken Afghanistan, but I bet China will.

That's because they'll be smart about it and won't sell it as a military conquest. It will be presented as a joint regional venture which no doubt China will benefit from enormously, but then Afghanistan might as well. It's a poor country, shouldn't really be that difficult to get them onside given the right approach.

 

[cric_man]

NEW DELHI: India is concerned about a vacuum developing in Afghanistan following the proposed withdrawal of United States and NATO forces from the country, the chief of the defence staff said on Thursday.

General Bipin Rawat told a security conference that the worry was “disruptors” would step into the space created by the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. He declined to name the countries that could act as spoilers.

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US troops would withdraw from Afghanistan starting on May 1 to end America’s longest war, rejecting calls for them to stay to ensure a peaceful resolution to that nation’s grinding internal conflict.

“Our concern is that the vacuum that will be created by the withdrawal of the United States and NATO should not create space for disruptors,” Rawat said.

India’s big worry is that instability in Afghanistan could spill over into Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) where it has been suppressing a freedom movement for three decades.

It is also concerned that Pakistan will gain a bigger hand in Afghanistan because of its long-standing ties with the Taliban, who are expected to play a dominant role once the United States leaves.

“There are many people looking for an opportunity to walk into the space being created,” Rawat said.

India invested $3 billion in Afghanistan on roads, power stations and even built its parliament following the ousting of the Taliban in 2001.

Rawat said India would be happy to provide more support to Afghanistan so long as peace can return.

Biden said that US objectives in Afghanistan had become “increasingly unclear” over the past decade.

If thirchi topi Bipin is so concerned, he should commit 20k Indian boots on the ground in Afghanistan to keep the barbarians at bay...

 

[Bigboii]

You have reverted to simplistic Trumpian language.

The question is complex because there have been several nations involved in several stages with different objectives.

1. USA mission to get Bin Laden - achieved.
You could have paid the Pakistanis just the fractions of the money spent they would killed him for you, hell someone in Taliban or even Alqaeeda would have killed him for you if you paid tham enough, could.have hunted him with the drone strike

Going to war for Bin Ladin is such a dank logic, US always assasinated these characters never went to "war" to kill just one guy, I mean this logic is weird and makes no sense whatsoever
2. NATO-led ISAF mission to support Karzai government- achieved.
Again why were they doing this to create a stable government in Afghanistan that can take on Taliban in the long run

They failed the second US leaves in couple of years if not months fall of Kabul is waiting to happen

Why cause Afghanistan gov isn't stable, powerful so you failed in that too
3. NATO-led Resolute Support mission - train, advise and assist government forces again the Taliban - I think this will fail, ultimately.

Umh, The same army that's high as kites when fighting or the ones that defecting to Taliban with state secrets?

L

To suggest that this isn't a loss is simplistic to say the least

 

[LongHorn]

No Yank or Brit or German will charged with war crimes, God will be their judge.

Or Nepalese for that matter.
Just today i was watching videos about those mercenary Gurkhas in Afghanistan and how some of them were such heroes that they killed 5 or 10 Afghans

And of course comments were overwhelmingly in their favor for being brave.

So money worshipping Nepalese fight for western countries in Afghanistan, and when the Afghans fight back they become the bad guys and deserve to be killed by someone who never fought for land or honor, but only for a few pounds thrown at him

 

[KingKhanWC]

Or Nepalese for that matter.
Just today i was watching videos about those mercenary Gurkhas in Afghanistan and how some of them were such heroes that they killed 5 or 10 Afghans

And of course comments were overwhelmingly in their favor for being brave.

So money worshipping Nepalese fight for western countries in Afghanistan, and when the Afghans fight back they become the bad guys and deserve to be killed by someone who never fought for land or honor, but only for a few pounds thrown at him

Or Nepalese for that matter.
Just today i was watching videos about those mercenary Gurkhas in Afghanistan and how some of them were such heroes that they killed 5 or 10 Afghans

And of course comments were overwhelmingly in their favor for being brave.

So money worshipping Nepalese fight for western countries in Afghanistan, and when the Afghans fight back they become the bad guys and deserve to be killed by someone who never fought for land or honor, but only for a few pounds thrown at him

Its absurd. Imagine if only 1 nation invaded UK or USA, the world would be crying , lighting up buildings in support. Yet no Afghan attacked anyone. In fact the ruling government were prepared to hand over OBL if the US could send them proof, as is the norm in any extradition but Bush refused. It wasnt only immoral but also illegal in this sense.

Gurkas are the most overated forces on the planet. They are only good at altitude due to them growing up in Nepal but no more moral than any other invader.

Bravey is what the Afghans have showed over the last 20 years. Defeating the biggest united assembled force in history. The BBC still parrott lies always asserting the resistance kills but records now show the invaders have killed more innocent civilians.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Attack from the land of the brave.

 

[LongHorn]

Gurkas are the most overated forces on the planet. They are only good at altitude due to them growing up in Nepal but no more moral than any other invader.
s.

They are glorified in British and Indian media as they have fought under both powers for money

And they are supposedly ruthless, and if you check who they are ruthless against, it is almost always people fighting for their own freedom in their own land.

But since British soft power is so strong around us, we are given this mythical image of Gurkhas being great warriors who fight for justice and helping people.

 

[Major]

The US has spent over a trillion dollars in AFG over the past 20+ years. The 2 decades has seen over 100k afghans killed, Pakistan destabilized. What does the US and its cohorts have to show for? They have not been able to raise a basic functioning government and a standing security apparatus. The much touted female liberation or atleast getting afghan women basic rights -- has that happened? Are regular afghans even slightly better off that before?
And you want US to stick around for another 50 years?

The moment US leaves, Taliban will fight for power and they will eventually come back. This becomes a problem for Pakistan as the talib ideology that spills over to our land.

Afghani's can't lead their country. THey dont have an army to protect themselves.

Pakistan is better off by having US control the Afghani's.

My concern isn't about Afghan's here, my main concern here is Pakistan and Pakistanis.

 

[LongHorn]

And they are supposedly ruthless, and if you check who they are ruthless against, it is almost always people fighting for their own freedom in their own land.

le.

Gurkhas have fought Afghans in Afghanistan, Iraqis in Iraq, Kashmiris in Kashmir, Indonesians in Indonesia, Ottomans in Middle east.
And they are supposed to be hailed as heroes for that?

 

[LongHorn]

Pakistan is better off by having US control the Afghani's.

My concern isn't about Afghan's here, my main concern here is Pakistan and Pakistanis.

But isnt the current US backed govt vocally anti-Pakistani?
And doesnt US being there also allow India to have a foot in Afghanistan which they cannot under the Taliban ?

 

[Stewie]

The moment US leaves, Taliban will fight for power and they will eventually come back. This becomes a problem for Pakistan as the talib ideology that spills over to our land.

Afghani's can't lead their country. THey dont have an army to protect themselves.

Pakistan is better off by having US control the Afghani's.

My concern isn't about Afghan's here, my main concern here is Pakistan and Pakistanis.

The Afghan taliban have never interfered much with Pakistan. It was the TTP (tehrik taliban Pakistan) which was the problem. They were eradicated. The two should not be confused. In fact taliban have mostly stayed away from Pakistan because they get logistical support from us. Yes, I know they do bad stuff in Afghanistan but as long as they don’t create problems for us in Pakistan, I am ok with them taking charge.

 

[Major]

But isnt the current US backed govt vocally anti-Pakistani?
And doesnt US being there also allow India to have a foot in Afghanistan which they cannot under the Taliban ?

Pakistan and Qamar Bajwa might be celebrating this that US has fet our brother fellow muslims, but what these lunatics dont see is that Afhgan problems will always spill over to our regions.

Indian influence in Afghanistan isn't because of USA. India has maintained good foreign policies and relations with Afghanistan. I remember back 2012 how in New Delhi, alot of Afghani's would get free treatment from the Indian hospitals.

US presence makes sure that there isnt any civil war in Afghanistan. Once that starts, Afghanis are doomed and Pakistan will also be doomed in the long run.

 

[Major]

The Afghan taliban have never interfered much with Pakistan. It was the TTP (tehrik taliban Pakistan) which was the problem. They were eradicated. The two should not be confused. In fact taliban have mostly stayed away from Pakistan because they get logistical support from us. Yes, I know they do bad stuff in Afghanistan but as long as they don’t create problems for us in Pakistan, I am ok with them taking charge.

TTP came because of the Afghani Taliban. All TTP leaders were so called veterans from Afghanistan. They learned their tarde of fighting their and than used it against us.

The Taliban that was living in Waziristan and that were targetted during Zarb e Azab were mostly the Afghan talibs and al qaeda members.

Their civil war that will come 2-3 years will spill over to Pakistan always due to the geographical nature of the Northern areas

 

[LongHorn]

Indian influence in Afghanistan isn't because of USA. India has maintained good foreign policies and relations with Afghanistan. I remember back 2012 how in New Delhi, alot of Afghani's would get free treatment from the Indian hospitals.

.

Its indirect like this

1) India can be in Afghanistan only if NA (anti-Taliban) is in power
2) NA can be in power only if US troops are there
3) If Taliban take over, India wont stay there

 

[Bigboii]

Its indirect like this

1) India can be in Afghanistan only if NA (anti-Taliban) is in power
2) NA can be in power only if US troops are there
3) If Taliban take over, India wont stay there

It's a catch 101 either a stable hostile government or a neutral (I would definitely not say friendly) Taliban gov whose ideology will spill over into Pak areas

 

[Bigboii]

TTP came because of the Afghani Taliban. All TTP leaders were so called veterans from Afghanistan. They learned their tarde of fighting their and than used it against us.

The Taliban that was living in Waziristan and that were targetted during Zarb e Azab were mostly the Afghan talibs and al qaeda members.

Their civil war that will come 2-3 years will spill over to Pakistan always due to the geographical nature of the Northern areas

People who claim TLP and A Taliban have no relationship with each other should look at this fact alone

Why were known Afg Taliban leadership members found in TLP areas (the drone strikes also took out the Afghan Taliban hidden in TLP areas)?

 

[cric_man]

The moment US leaves, Taliban will fight for power and they will eventually come back. This becomes a problem for Pakistan as the talib ideology that spills over to our land.

Afghani's can't lead their country. THey dont have an army to protect themselves.

Pakistan is better off by having US control the Afghani's.

My concern isn't about Afghan's here, my main concern here is Pakistan and Pakistanis.

I beg to differ. Afghans have not been able to set up a functioning government for over 20 years? Where did over 2 trillion dollars of nation building gone?

Afghan National Army (on paper) has over 350,000 personnel and has been fed billions by the US with equipment. It is a different thing that they are all warlords and personnel militias.
They had the butcher Dostum as their defence minister for quite some time. You say Taliban coming to power will be a headache for Pakistan but currently Afghanistan is actively being used by India to foment terrorist attacks in Pakistan esp. through BLA and they are fully supported by NDS (Afghan Intelligence).

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan has assured Afghanistan that it will make all-out efforts to persuade the Taliban to join the Istanbul Conference as Islamabad believes that the insurgent group will be making a "huge mistake" if it stays out of the process.

The assurance was given by a Pakistani delegation led by Special Envoy on Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq during a visit to Kabul this week. The delegation included senior military and intelligence officials as well as representatives of other ministries.

"It was a visit that was strategic in nature," a senior Pakistani official privy to the development said.

The Pakistani delegation met senior Afghanistan officials including national security adviser, acting foreign Minister, Afghan special envoy on Pakistan, Afghan politicians as well as representatives of Afghan military and intelligence.

One of the key agenda items on the table was how to convince the Taliban to join the Istanbul Conference.

The conference in Turkey to be jointly hosted by Turkey, Qatar and UN has been postponed twice due to the Taliban's refusal to join it.

The moot, part of the Biden administration's push to seek a peace deal, was to be attended by foreign ministers from Pakistan, Iran, India, China, Russia and the US.


The Taliban are adamant they will not join the conference since the US violated the Doha deal by extending the troops withdrawal deadline.

In Kabul, the Afghan authorities requested Pakistani side to use its influence on the Taliban in a bid to ensure they end the boycott of peace process.

"We have assured them that Pakistan will try its best to convince the Taliban," the official said. He was of the view that it would be unwise on part of the Taliban to stay out of the process.

The official was confident that the Taliban will eventually join the Istanbul Conference, which is now rescheduled after the holy month of Ramazan.

Meanwhile, Umer Daudzai, Afghan President Ghani’s special envoy for Pakistan, told TOLOnews that his Pakistani counterpart assured them that the Taliban will agree on a reduction in violence and ceasefire with their participation at the peace summits.

“They brought the message that they will work with all their resources to convince the Taliban to agree to a ceasefire and that the Taliban should not miss the chance for talks. They were referring to the Istanbul conference,” Daudzai said.

Also read: Qureshi invites Afghan counterpart to Islamabad following Istanbul conference

But the Pakistani official made it clear that while Islamabad would use all its efforts to convince the Taliban, it would not guarantee the success.

Pakistan has played a central role in brokering the Doha deal in February 2020 that envisaged a road map for troops withdrawal in return for the Taliban agreeing not to allow Afghan soil to be used again by terrorist groups and entering into the intra-Afghan dialogue.

However, the peace process hangs in balance after President Biden took over as he had announced to review the deal. After months of review, he last week announced that all US troops would pull out of Afghanistan by September 11. However, the drawdown would begin from May 1, the original deadline when US forces were to complete the withdrawal.

Pakistan is hoping the troops withdrawal would be responsible and orderly and that the drawdown would coincide with the progress in the peace process.

 

[MenInG]

Senior officials from the United States, Russia, China and Pakistan held talks with representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban in Doha in an attempt to break the deadlock in the intra-Afghan talks, as the US and NATO forces begin troop withdrawal from the war-torn country from Saturday (today).

The meeting of what is known as the extended “Troika” held in the Qatari capital on Friday amidst Taliban refusal to join the Istanbul conference after President Joe Biden extended the deadline of troops withdrawal.

The Pakistani delegation was headed by Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq while special envoys of the US, Russia and China represented their respective countries.

The extended “troika” had been meeting since 2019 to evolve a regional consensus on the Afghan endgame. Some of the meetings they held previously were never made public.

A joint statement issued after the meeting confirmed that extended “troika” met with representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban to discuss “ways to support intra-Afghan negotiations and help the parties reach a negotiated settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.”

In a clear warning to the Taliban, the extended “troika” made it clear that there was no room for any group to take over Kabul by force. The joint statement said there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict and that the only way forward was to seek a political solution through the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

“We do not support the establishment in Afghanistan of any government-imposed by force, consistent with the Joint Statement of the March 18 Expanded Troika,” according to the statement.

“We take note of the April 14 announcement by the United States and NATO that US/NATO forces will begin a responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021, that concludes by September 11, 2021,” said the joint statement.

“We reiterate that the withdrawal of foreign troops should ensure a steady transition of the situation in Afghanistan. We stress that, during the withdrawal period, the peace process should not be disrupted, no fights or turbulence shall occur in Afghanistan, and the safety of international troops should be ensured,” it added.

The four countries said they expected the Taliban to fulfil its counterterrorism commitments, including preventing terrorist groups and individuals from using Afghan soil to threaten the security of any other country; not hosting these groups and preventing them from recruiting, training, and fundraising. “We expect the Afghan government to continue counterterrorism cooperation with the international community,” the statement read.

The joint statement urged all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence in the country and on the Taliban not to pursue a Spring offensive.

“We condemn in the strongest terms any attacks deliberately targeting civilians in Afghanistan and call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians.”

“We reiterate that diplomatic personnel and property shall be inviolable, and the perpetrators of any attack or threat on foreign diplomatic personnel and properties in Kabul will be held accountable,” the statement warned.

The statement called on the Afghan government and the High Council for National Reconciliation to engage openly with their Taliban counterparts regarding a negotiated settlement.

The statement said they support a review of the status of designations of Taliban individuals and entities on the UN 1988 sanctions, as stated in the UNSC resolution 2513 (2020).

“Practical measures to reduce violence and sustained efforts to advance intra-Afghan negotiations by the Taliban will positively affect this review process.”

“We note the preparations by Turkey to host a conference of senior leaders of both Afghan parties in order to accelerate the intra-Afghan negotiations, and we also welcome the United Nations and Qatar’s roles as co-conveners of this dialogue. We call upon the negotiating parties to make progress toward an inclusive political settlement and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.”

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's role in ending the Afghan war and working on a peace agreement is important, says US President Joe Biden.

President Biden spoke with Democrat leaders on completing 100 days in government. From Pakistan, he spoke to Tahir Javed, a Pakistan-born US democrat leader.

He told Javed that Pakistan will also play an important role in the future for peace in Afghanistan.

He said significant progress has been made on climate change.

Biden assured Javed that he will continue to deliver on his promises.

Pakistan understands impact of civil war in Afghanistan: US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad
Last week, US special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad expressed the belief that Pakistan understands the impact of civil war in Afghanistan.

He has said that he believes peace is still possible in Afghanistan as Washington has started to withdraw its remaining troops from the country.

Read about the US bill to establish duty-free economic zones along Pak-Afghan border

Khalilzad was speaking to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the panel’s first public hearing on the administration’s Afghanistan policy since Biden announced plans to withdraw troops by September 11 after two decades of war.

"Pakistan's leaders have emphasized publicly and to US officials that they do not support a military takeover by the Taliban. I believe they understand that not only Afghanistan, but their country too will face grave consequences in the event of a return to a wider civil war," Khalilzad said.

Keeping US forces in Afghanistan did not make sense as the conflict could not be solved by continued fighting, Khalilzad said, adding that the US is helping the Kabul government find contractors to replace the departing American ones.

The February 2020 deal reached by the Trump administration with the Taliban required the departures by May 1 of all US troops and non-diplomatic civilian personnel, including US contractors.

Biden delayed the pullout while his administration reviewed the agreement and Afghanistan policy.

He decided earlier this month to begin the withdrawal and complete it by September 11, the anniversary of al Qaeda's 2001 attacks on the United States that triggered the US-led invasion that year.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

"Pakistan's leaders have emphasized publicly and to US officials that they do not support a military takeover by the Taliban. I believe they understand that not only Afghanistan, but their country too will face grave consequences in the event of a return to a wider civil war," Khalilzad said.

Pakistan always advocated for a more sensible approach since late 90s.

It was Americans who wanted to go all cowboy

Anyways, now after US withdrawal it is time to resolve differences on the table to prevent a future war.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/12/british-troops-were-twice-as-likely-to-be-killed-in-afghanistan-as-us-forces

British and Canadian troops were more than twice as likely to get killed in Afghanistan as their US counterparts, according to a study that looks at the scale of the sacrifice made by Nato allies over the course of the 20-year war.

The UK also gave more to Afghanistan than the US in the form of economic and humanitarian assistance as a percentage of GDP, the study published on Wednesday by the Costs of War project at Brown University found.

Although the US suffered by far the greatest number of fatalities in absolute terms compared with other members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – 2,316 American troops were killed between 2001 and 2017, the period of the study – Canadians and British soldiers sent to Afghanistan were more likely to die.

The Costs of War report looks at fatalities as a percentage of national troops levels at peak deployment in Afghanistan. The US losses were 2.3% of its vast military presence. The UK lost 455 lives, which was 4.7% of its peak deployment level, while the 158 Canadians killed represented 5.4% of their total.

The study refers to a grim joke told by American soldiers in Afghanistan that ISAF stood for “I Saw Americans Fight”, but points out in the case of the UK and Canada at least it was grossly unfair.

“Americans do not fully understand, do not acknowledge, the sacrifices that allies made in Afghanistan,” said Jason Davidson, the author of the report, and professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.

“It’s something that not only doesn’t get attention from those who are critics of the allies. It doesn’t even get the attention that it deserves from those who are generally cheerleaders for allies, like the current administration. I would like to see more American policymaker acknowledgment and discussion with the public of the costs that America’s allies have incurred in these wars.”

Davidson suggested that the reason for the proportionally high British death toll was being based in the heart of the hotly contested Helmand province and the absence of caveats limiting soldiers’ involvement in combat. The German contingent was largely confined its bases at night and to armoured vehicles on patrol in the relatively quiet north of the country, and its fatality rate was 1%. The rates for the French and Italian contingents were 2.1% and 1.2% respectively.

The findings echo a study in December by the UK-based group Action on Armed Violence, that found British soldiers were 12% more likely to have been killed than their American counterparts in the overall “war on terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It is clear that Afghanistan proved to be a significant burden for UK troops,” Iain Overton, the editor of that study, said. “The UK military suffered almost three-quarters of its total deaths there in the last two decades.”

Another striking finding of the Costs of War report was that the UK spent slightly more on foreign aid to Afghanistan as a percentage of GDP (0.16%) than the US (0.15%) with Germany and Canada close behind with 0.14%.

Elinor Sloan, professor of international relations at Carleton University in Ottawa, said that Canada’s relatively high casualty rate was due in part to a lack of mine-resistant vehicles, MRAPs, and troop helicopters.

“We moved from Kabul into Kandahar in early 2006, and troops were going out in convoys, so almost all of the casualties are taken in the convoys. We didn’t have the MRAPs,” said Sloan, who wrote an assessment of Canada’s role in Nato in 2012.

After 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan, as the US and the coalition embark on the last stages of withdrawal, the costs of the long war are coming under increasing scrutiny.

Nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians were killed. Overton said 40% of the civilian casualties from US and Afghan airstrikes between 2016 and 2020 were children.

“What is clear is that Afghanistan proved to be not only a graveyard for British troops,” Overton said. “Coalition military forces there also were part of making it a graveyard for countless Afghan civilians.”