WTF is happening in Afghanistan?

[nc8765]

Kabul will fall soon, and the Taliban will control the whole country.

The rights of women and girls will go back to the dark ages, along with rights for any other liberal view/s. In a few years, the UN will declare a humanitarian crisis and then what, we're back to square one?

The US is highly unlikely to commit to troops, same goes for us here in the UK. What about China? Surely a stable Middle East is in their best interest? Russia? The other 'stan nations??

I understand there are Afghans that do prefer life under the Taliban, but surely that's a small minority group?

I'm not a foreign affairs expert so would really like some help on this one!

I'm sickened by the fact that we are leaving people behind who helped our troops and authorities. But also, isn't this incredibly stupid? In the future who will help us on the ground if we need it, if they know that they will then be abandoned when they need protection.

@MrsSkylerWhite

MorrisZapp

I don't understand. If everyone hates the Taliban, how come they are the majority force?“

Because if you disagree with them they take of your hands, or your head or they hang you. Or all 3.

Would you rise up against them or keep your head down and hope to survive and protect your children?

Yes, like Naziism in Germany I should think, you keep your head down in case they come to you but just so terrible

People rushing to remove/ cover any pictures in beauty salons etc, female teachers and divorcees fearing for their lives - it's horrific. I mean really, what is their 'crime' other than. being female?

Already loads of youtube stuff up of SF troops being executed and stuff, it'l be as bad as srebrenica with similar thumbs up diplomat arses. But who watches this stuff?

They did the same thing with the kurdss, kitten. No suprise. Trump is just as guilty.

According to SKY, most diplomatic staff have left but the Ambassador has not gone yet - staying put for a bit longer trying to arrange safe passage for British nationals and for the local staff

Taliban now entering Kabul - SKY reporter has seen some processing through (but not clear where in the capital he is)

@meditrina

According to SKY, most diplomatic staff have left but the Ambassador has not gone yet - staying put for a bit longer trying to arrange safe passage for British nationals and for the local staff

Taliban now entering Kabul - SKY reporter has seen some processing through (but not clear where in the capital he is)

Sounds like US Ambassador to Sth Vietnam, Graham Martin, who stayed behind, refusing to take his flight, repeatedly sending helicopters full of local staff, strong-arming the military to take as many as possible until the last possible moment.

Eventually though he was forced to leave and the lift was over, and those remaining were left to their fate.

I keep thinking of Vietnam too. But Harold Wilson kept us out then. The coming atrocities are on our hands and why are we so fucking helpless if we are apparently so amazing??

Sounds like US Ambassador to Sth Vietnam, Graham Martin, who stayed behind, refusing to take his flight, repeatedly sending helicopters full of local staff, strong-arming the military to take as many as possible until the last possible moment.

If I recall things correctly he lost a son there, the whole campaign was very personal to him.

Have copied and pasted what I just posted on another thread … hope this is ok
….

Just conversed with a Freind of mine in Kabul right now , expat worker whose organisation have worked so hard for years and achieved so much in terms of education, women’s rights and rebuilding a destroyed infrastructure .
She is posting on social media still but has said she thinks it will be closed down soon . As I understand from her even our British Embassy staff are in shock with how events are escalating

I lived in this part of the world for many years and was there 20 years ago. My job and social life bought me into contact with many contractors/ security professionals etc working to rebuild after the horrors of taliban rule . Afghanistan is a beautiful country with some incredible scenery , rich in culture and what I can only describe as “ good , kind , proud , generous people “ It’s also rich in valuable resources and I have no doubt there was a level of corruption the American government was fully aware of .

I think the handmaidens tale as a parallel is spot on
2 excellent “ fiction “ books that I really recommend are “ The kite runner “ ( also made into a film ) and the beautifully written “ A Thousand Splendid Suns “ both by Khaled Hosseini . Both share the true horror of what went on under Taliban rule before , especially for women and children.
The thought of the reprisals Afghan interpreters for example , will face turns my blood cold .

I agree strongly with pp on other thread who asks “ who is funding the taliban “ .. sadly I suspect many powerful members of the international community will be far from welcoming and supportive of our press getting strongly behind this

who is funding the taliban

Everyone who uses cocaine.

@GlacindaTheTroll

who is funding the taliban

Everyone who uses cocaine.

I think you mean heroin users.

This is interesting about the heroin trade and I hadn’t thought about it much for a long time in relation to Afghanistan

I know very little about heroin , other than that I understand it to be a terrible drug that destroys young lives and breaks the hearts of bereaved parents across the globe .
I suspect the taliban ARE partially funded by the opium poppy trade, I can recall being told this years ago.
However I probably wouldn’t say the poor kids living in disadvantage ( and many from highly advantaged backgrounds too ) who become victims of heroin aren’t directly intentionally helping to fund the Taliban.

Rather that the wealthy powerful international drug dealers and the governments who turn a blind eye are

Perhaps “who funds the Taliban” should go hand in hand with “ who arms the Taliban “ . Weapons are made somewhere and are transported around the globe somehow

They also have a lot of donations

Rather that the wealthy powerful international drug dealers and the governments who turn a blind eye are

And every single one of the advantaged classes who take it and other drugs “for a bit of fun”. You know what damage drugs gangs do to poor estates and people, or should. You’ve been told often enough. Similarly you’ve been told often enough that too many people are impoverished and have few other realistic opportunities.

Pick up pepper

Sorry I meant to say …
“ I probably WOULDNT say the poor kids living in disadvantage ( and many from highly advantaged backgrounds too ) who become victims of heroin ARE directly intentionally helping to fund the Taliban .

Apologies
Typing on iPhone
I should not do so or should proof read

I’ll accept excuses from those of lower backgrounds because they have little knowledge of the world outside their own patch of streets some times.

I’m not accepting them from those who tell us that they are so superior by virtue of their education, social capital and earned wealth. Drugs are as legitimate in this country for men with money as rape is.

Btw, ‘education’, ‘social capital’ and especially ‘earned’ wealth we’re all intended satirically.

- got my drugs in a twist

But basically those who use drugs illegally (whether opiates or other) are supporting the criminal drugs industry, and that funds the taliban. They make billions

foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/19/taliban-expanding-drug-trade-meth-heroin/

Please, please, look up Nowzad, the wonderful animal charity, set up by ex marine Pen Farthing, to help the animals in Afghanistan.
We need to write to our MP’s, donate and share posts on social media.
Their wonderful female vets need repatriating as well as hundreds of animals.
It’s a disaster!

I hope your friend is able to stay safe @Blubellsarehere

Not really funded by heroin. They had a hardline approach to heroin and we'l probably see the return of white heroin into UK with them back. Its pakistan, private saudi's, qatar, extremist islamic sects (deobandi especially) which fund them. They also have a legitimate political wing.

Their weapons are 50s and 60s soviet and chinese made. They have their own workshops for them.

I was complaining about this to DH today as I saw the latest news. He couldn't understand why it's such a problem because it's not our country, shouldn't they just be left to sort it out (Biden's approach). Because of course that was going spectacularly well before 9/11 wasn't it?!

It's the wasted lives of soldiers over the last 20 years. It's the step back into the dark ages for women and girls. It's the very real danger to Afghani interpreters. It's a colossal mess and it's no exaggeration to say I'm genuinely terrified for the future.