Afghanistan - please can I have your opinions (especially if you have military links!)

[JemimaPyjamas]

Watching the situation unfold, I have been trying to find out as much as I can. The troops withdrawal is clearly creating chaos and terror, the likes of which I cannot comprehend. I have also been reading further about the comparisons of the Taliban and Isis, their shocking views on women but trying to see if there is a broader picture too.

I watched a documentary last night, and it gave the impression that the US and UK troops were in an uphill struggle and due to the levels of corruption, the cultural differences, apathy and drug use so much of the situation is a complete shambles. How widespread is this, and is this mainly in smaller villages / areas? I don't know!

So, I then watched half of another documentary (as it was getting late) that showed the Afghan army as more organised and painted a more positive picture but it still seems an uphill battle, albeit one with more willing and capable participants.

I'd love some other opinions, experiences or recommendations for links.

Thank you!

ps I've read The Kite Runner (not that it's especially relevant but thought I'd add that in!)

I’m not the right person to ask. I lost a very dear friend to an IED in Afghanistan and I’m struggling with wondering what it was all for.

Anyway, my understanding from friends that served over there is that it was an uphill struggle - there is huge corruption, and that the allies sometimes treated the locals (and taliban) as ignorant tribes savages, which didn’t go down well and has lead to the powers that be underestimating the abilities of the Taliban to just roll back in to power.

I don’t think many people found it a ‘cushy number’ and for those who lost family members, or who came back injured, saying it was ‘cushy’ is a bit of an insult, frankly.

I’ve found another thread talking about it now. It seems to be in incredibly frustrating situation, and I can’t work out if pulling out is right or wrong. The government don’t seem much better in lots of ways, and I suppose we are seeing it via our Western lens which also probably isn’t right.