The blame game continues, accusations are thrown about, meanwhile on the ground thousands strive to escape the all conquering Taliban. Questions as to how this occurred so quickly appear to have some answers. For a start Trumps envoy Pompeo released many from prison, including the now leader of the Taliban whom Obama had locked up. Agreements were made re the US leaving by May 2021, who knows what other deals were on offer then? How much money was involved? The Taliban set about deals also, local governers were paid, bribed, threatened, thus ensuring no opposition to the Taliban in almost every district. The Afghan forces, well trained and well led until the US/UK departed suddenly, fell apart as desertions increased, the men aware of the impossible situation if they fought and so deserted and went back home. Meanwhile Trump and his friends blame Biden for running away after spending the year grumbling he was continuing the war and ought to leave!
Politics has no morals.
The immediate situation on the ground will not encourage tourism any time soon. Rumours abound of murders of US/UK lackeys occurs and may be true. What discipline there is may be rough and not controlled from the top. Add also while the Taliban are a controlling group they are also a comparitively small group, most Afghans belong to their tribe or region warlord first and not to a dedicated islamic organisation, most just want foreigners out and the chance to get on with their lives.
The bleating in the west continues, many demanding action, few offering intelligent suggestions as too that action, most caring for the women and ignoring the plight of the men. The people who have done nothing for Afghan women now demand action when the situation has become impossible. I wonder if they offer cash to the organisations that will work among women in the region, or is that costing more than Tweets on Twitter I wonder?
A mess it is and a mess it will remain.
A carful reading between the lines is now required. With Afghanistan filling the pages the politicians will be sending out many newsworthy items that will be hidden by the loud wailing over Afghans and their problems. As many MPs are on holiday, such as the Foreign Minister, it is likely a variety of difficult topics might be mentioned in passing in the small corners of the media, the corners we all ignore.
3 comments:
It was interesting listening to Bidens speech last night, and the more I read the more intriguing it gets. Apparently from what I've read the Taliban were easily able to get control as they bought the "loyalty" of the tribal headmen with cash who in turn ordered no resistance.
The one thing we can bet on is that there will be more opium poppy growing as thats a major source of Taliban income.
Macmillan said that one of the key rules in politics was not to invade Afghanistan.
Dave, Indeed that is the way I heard it. Planned long since, US/UK must have known. However it appears the speed of US pullout surprised UK. Laudunum now freely available!
Fly, He was a wise man.
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