Afghanistan

[GQBlues]

Of course the lives lost are immeasurable, but putting this aside, it is estimated the US spent $2.26 trillion dollars in this war since it started. And since these are mostly borrowed money, by the time we paid it all off long after this withdrawal, it is estimated that the ultimate cost will be at $6.5 trillion.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2021/08/16/the-war-in-afghanistan-cost-america-300-million-per-day-for-20-years-with-big-bills-yet-to-come/amp/

None of that includes the money we borrowed for the Iraq war.

And of course, there were also Syria, Yemen, Libya, Iraq Part II, etc…

[BC]

Whose idea was it to turn Afghanistan into a stalwart liberal country with women representation who had basically no education themselves? Answer-- Obama and Clinton

Which president spoke the following words in April 2002? 

“We know that true peace will only be achieved when we give the Afghan people the means to achieve their own aspirations. Peace will be achieved by helping Afghanistan develop its own stable government.”

“Afghanistan was the ultimate nation building mission.  We had liberated the country from a primitive dictatorship, and we had a moral obligation to leave behind something better.  We also had a strategic interest in helping the Afghan people build a free society,”

[tfcrew]

 

   It wasn't perfect but it's done, yet you still whine.

 
 What are you blabbering about now? If you read my first post here you would see that I thought was idiotic to send troops to Afghanistan from the onset.

 Taliban take over Afghanistan: What we know and what’s next
By JOSEPH KRAUSS yesterday
 

WHY ARE PEOPLE FLEEING THE COUNTRY?
They’re worried that the country could descend into chaos or the Taliban could carry out revenge attacks against those who worked with the Americans or the government.
Many also fear the Taliban will reimpose the harsh interpretation of Islamic law that they relied on when they ran Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Back then, women were barred from attending school or working outside the home. They had to wear the all-encompassing burqa and be accompanied by a male relative whenever they went outside. The Taliban banned music, cut off the hands of thieves and stoned adulterers.
The Taliban have sought to present themselves as a more moderate force in recent years. Since taking over, they have promised to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought against them and prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for terror attacks. But many Afghans are skeptical of those promises.

Others released along with Khairkhwa were Mohammed Nabi, who served as chief of security for the Taliban in Qalat; Mohammad Fazl, who according to Human Rights Watch allegedly presided over the mass killing of Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan in 2000 and 2001; Abdul Haq Wasiq, who served as the Taliban deputy minister of intelligence and Mullah Norullah Nori, who was a senior Taliban commander in Mazar-e-Sharif in 2001.
Also Read: Afghan war cost US $2 trillion, interest will pinch every American
The 'Gitmo Five' were labelled "hardest of the hardcore" by US intelligence officials who urged Obama to reconsider his decision. However, those warnings were ignored, with assurance that these five terrorists will be kept in Qatar, so that they are not able to indulge in active politics in Afghanistan.

Yeah Right.

Khairullah Khairkhwa (centre) with other members of Taliban's negotiating team, in Doha.(AFP Photo)
He's back and he's pissed.

[GQBlues]

...A true leader takes responsibility and doesn't blame everyone else for issues and problems. 4:55 into the clip---JB blames the Afghan leadership...5:00--blames the Afghan army...

LMAO! Stating a fact is not blaming anyone. The idiot Ghani fled with tens of millions of dollars in tow. He assured his government and police force (army) is well prepared to protect their nation. We spent billions training 300,000 Afghans, armed them to the teeth. How does anyone 'doubt' this reality? If there were loss of confidence in our own training method and value assessment, the onus is on our own military brass in Afghanistan. These idiots folded against 75,000 Taliban militants in less than two weeks.


That's not blaming Afghan leadership. That's stating a fact.

Another thing--why were there 2500 non combatant personnel in Afghanistan? That is more than there were US troops left.

Various civilian contractors. There were about 4,000 civilian Americans that died in Afghanistan. Approx. 1,500 more than the military.

[Boethius]

The idiot Ghani fled with tens of millions of dollars in tow.

Allegedly, $169 million in cash.

http://theweek.com/afghanistan/1003879/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-reportedly-fled-kabul-with-169-million-in-cash

I am certain Ghani is very grateful to the American taxpayer.

The rumour is that he had even more cash on hand, but it wouldn't fit in the helicopter. 

http://metro.co.uk/2021/08/18/former-afghan-president-ghani-fled-with-169m-in-helicopter-to-dubai-15113307/

[BillyB]

Anybody, especially world leaders, can make a mess of something on purpose that cost lives and say "I own it" and walk away. That is not taking responsibility.


Today a reporter asked White House press secretary if any world leaders called Biden to coordinate the evacuation of their citizens. They answer was "No". Why should they call somebody for help who just endangered the lives of their citizens unnecessarily? That's political suicide.


The Taliban is in the Afghan Presidential palace not afraid to answer all kinds of questions. When asked about freedom of speech, they said go ask American big tech for censoring millions of people recently. They are already releasing photos of American arms they've confiscated. I'm sure they will be used in killings that make a statement. Their citizens need to understand the weapons of those that abandoned them will be the ones that kill them.


For those who are anti immigration, they way we left Afghanistan is going to bring in much more refugees than if we left with a peace deal in place. The plan is to move up to 10K refugees out of Afghanistan every day till the end of this month but advisors are telling Biden to extend that. Of course it will be extended after we forget about Afghanistan next week. Syria should've taught us something. Next month people are going to be complaining about the massive amount of refugees coming into America and Europe. The writing is on the wall.

[GQBlues]

Anybody, especially world leaders, can make a mess of something on purpose that cost lives and say "I own it" and walk away. That is not taking responsibility....

Now you're swaying along with fake news. Biden already said the buck stops with him. Which part of that statement did you not understand? If that isn't taking responsibility, what exactly do you think he should've said instead? Thus far, since February 2020, there hasn't been any US combat casualty in Afghanistan. Contrast that reality to the years beforehand.

He even admitted that he believed they've made every contingency for any possible scenario, with which he then admitted they were wrong.

Biden didn't create this 20-year mess. He put an end to it. He even disagreed with Obama's Afghanistan's 'surge' when he was VP, saying our mission in Afghanistan was met a decade ago. Witnessing what we see and know today in how this situation unfolded, now is as good as any time to leave that wasteland.

Afghanistan is huge news today because of the visualization of the current situation. You do know the US had been aiding (some) Al Qaeda fighters in Yemen in their fight against the Iran-backed Ansar Allah to pacify Saudi Arabia, don't you? Yeah, the same f@cking group we went to Afghanistan to oust in the first place. There's an ongoing strife and famine upon Yemen's citizenry since this proxy war broke out, and yet no cries of justice from the likes of you.

Do you only react to crisis when its on TV? You want crisis, see if this one moves you...
http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/rxrate-maps/index.html

[tfcrew]

I am certain Ghani is very grateful to the American taxpayer.

Yeah, I am too. I got to checking what countries like the USA the most. #1 may surprise everyone.....  http://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-love-americans

Stating a fact is not blaming anyone. 

Stated as a matter of fact... "The likelihood of the Taliban overrunning Afghanistan is highly unlikely."~~~~ Joe Biden 

[Trenchcoat]

Looks like we're going to landed with 20,000 Afghans as our punishment for this cock up. Not that I remember voting for this war in the first place. Accomodation is already pushed here in the UK so I don't know where they are going to put them all.

[2tallbill]

Biden had the guts to finally do the final pull out on his watch  It wasn't perfect but it's
done, yet you still whine. 

Fathertime!

I 100% totally agree with getting out of Afghanistan. It was Biden's general incompetence
that I have a problem with. He screwed up, OUR people will pay the price.

The Liberal Boston Globe
After the incompetent retreat from Afghanistan, the Biden presidency
http://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/16/nation/after-incompetent-retreat-afghanistan-biden-presidency-premised-competency-will-never-be-same/


Liberal Newsweek
Kabul Disaster Like Fall of Saigon, Democrat Debbie Dingell Says
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/kabul-disaster-like-fall-of-saigon-democrat-debbie-dingell-says/ar-AANlIAY


CNN
Joe Biden is facing a crisis of competence
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/afghanistan-joe-biden-donald-trump-kabul-politics/index.html


Liberal Daily Beast
Even Biden’s Allies Think He Screwed Up Afghanistan
http://www.thedailybeast.com/even-joe-bidens-allies-think-he-screwed-up-afghanistan


Liberal CBS
Desperate Afghans cling to US planes as chaos engulfs Kabul airport; at least 7 dead
http://www.cbs17.com/news/international-news/desperate-afghans-cling-to-us-planes-as-chaos-engulfs-kabul-airport-at-least-7-dead/


Liberal CNN
Biden's botched Afghan exit is a disaster at home and abroad long in the making
(CNN)The debacle of the US defeat and chaotic retreat in Afghanistan is a political disaster
for Joe Biden, whose failure to orchestrate an urgent and orderly exit will further rock a
presidency plagued by crises and stain his legacy.
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/afghanistan-joe-biden-donald-trump-kabul-politics/index.html


NPR
There's A Bipartisan Backlash To How Biden Handled The Withdrawal From Afghanistan
http://www.npr.org/2021/08/16/1028081817/congressional-reaction-to-bidens-afghanistan-withdrawal-has-been-scathing

[GQBlues]

Stated as a matter of fact... "The likelihood of the Taliban overrunning Afghanistan is highly unlikely."~~~~ Joe Biden 

OY Carambola!

http://www.axios.com/milley-military-intelligence-afghanistan-taliban-503603a0-5599-46cf-94ce-5f3f61a2d3b1.html

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said:

The timeframe of a potential collapse was widely estimated, it ranged from weeks to months, even years following our departure. There was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days..

The buck stops with me!

Enough said.

[2tallbill]

Enough said.

Biden blames others for swift collapse in Afghanistan, defends his decision to withdraw troops
President Biden on Aug. 16 blamed multiple entities for the collapse of Afghanistan following his decision to withdraw all remaining U.S. troops. (JM Rieger/The Washington Post)
By
Anne Gearan
August 16, 2021 at 8:51 p.m. EDT
President Biden on Monday acknowledged the “gut-wrenching” spectacle of chaos and desperation in Afghanistan as Americans leave after 20 years, but said he is resolute in his decision to close down a war effort that had long ago lost its way.

Biden largely blamed others for the departure debacle and said the stunning collapse of U.S.-backed Afghan leadership amid a Taliban blitz confirmed that he was right to order the United States out of the country, the focus of anti-terror and democratizing efforts since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He admitted that his administration was surprised by swift-moving events that have put the militia group in control, led to the shuttering of the U.S. Embassy and drove thousands to seek refuge by fleeing to the Kabul airport. Biden said he has no regrets.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-afghanistan-speech/2021/08/16/1bdff5e6-feaf-11eb-ba7e-2cf966e88e93_story.html



Biden overruled top generals’ advice
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/afghanistan-biden-us-troop-withdrawl-b1904140.html


Biden administration embroiled in internal blame-shifting amid Afghanistan chaos
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/17/politics/biden-afghanistan-blame-shifting/index.html


Democrats grapple with Afghanistan fallout after Biden administration ignored their previous warnings
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/democratic-reaction-biden-afghanistan/index.html

[GQBlues]

Biden blames others for swift collapse in Afghanistan, defends his decision to withdraw troops
President Biden on Aug. 16 blamed multiple entities for the collapse of Afghanistan following his decision to withdraw all remaining U.S. troops. (JM Rieger/The Washington Post)
By
Anne Gearan
August 16, 2021 at 8:51 p.m. EDT
President Biden on Monday acknowledged the “gut-wrenching” spectacle of chaos and desperation in Afghanistan as Americans leave after 20 years, but said he is resolute in his decision to close down a war effort that had long ago lost its way.

Biden largely blamed others for the departure debacle and said the stunning collapse of U.S.-backed Afghan leadership amid a Taliban blitz confirmed that he was right to order the United States out of the country, the focus of anti-terror and democratizing efforts since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He admitted that his administration was surprised by swift-moving events that have put the militia group in control, led to the shuttering of the U.S. Embassy and drove thousands to seek refuge by fleeing to the Kabul airport. Biden said he has no regrets.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-afghanistan-speech/2021/08/16/1bdff5e6-feaf-11eb-ba7e-2cf966e88e93_story.html



Biden overruled top generals’ advice
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/afghanistan-biden-us-troop-withdrawl-b1904140.html


Biden administration embroiled in internal blame-shifting amid Afghanistan chaos
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/17/politics/biden-afghanistan-blame-shifting/index.html


Democrats grapple with Afghanistan fallout after Biden administration ignored their previous warnings
http://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/democratic-reaction-biden-afghanistan/index.html

It's a 5-words declaration. *The-Buck-Stops-With-Me!* Not quite sure what is proving with you guys to be so difficult to understand. Even the military's general in charge of the withdrawal himself, who have a very direct and personal knowledge of the departure planning and contingencies, didn't expect this takeover in this scale.

Still, Biden said: *The-Buck-Stops-With-Me!*

[fathertime]

I 100% totally agree with getting out of Afghanistan. It was Biden's general incompetence
that I have a problem with. He screwed up, OUR people will pay the price.

I am convinced that there would be virtually no scenario where partisan individuals such as yourself would be satisfied with a big decision that Biden made.   Reality remains we are exiting Afghanistan on his watch and that is the critical fact.  I'm pleased with Biden on that one.    In the years to come Biden might warrant criticism if he decides to sic the military on an easier or vulnerable target. 

Fathertime! 

[BillyB]

Biden said: *The-Buck-Stops-With-Me!*

Gee, that is going to make those slaughtered and raped in Afghanistan feel much better. Don't you know Biden is capable of lying? He didn't answer a question yet and he won't answer any hard questions pertaining to his actions that caused more suffering and deaths than necessary. Words or action, which means more?


We still have over 10K Americans in Afghanistan and Biden gave a speech today on how he's going to keep us safe by giving us the third jab. He then refused to take questions and quickly walked away. This is going to be a standard routine for him for the next few weeks.




When America abandoned Vietnam, my aunts and uncles were thrown in jail. One Senator voted against bringing Vietnamese refugee friends to America and that was Joe Biden.


What Biden did in Afghanistan is 100 times worse. Some of you guys don't understand what goes on in other places in the world or maybe some of you guys don't care because it isn't your family or your neck that is on the line. There is mass chaos and killings in Afghanistan right now. Women who worked for government or police are sure to be slaughtered or tortured in the worst ways. This female police officer caught by the Taliban last year was shot and had her eyes gouged out tells us what is in store for women now that the Taliban is in control. Some people will be fed to dogs.


http://dailycaller.com/2021/08/18/afghan-woman-eyes-gouged-taliban-animals-feed-womens-bodies/

I've seen media interviews with people who advised Biden how to pull out without making a mess and Biden didn't take any of their advice. Biden even ignored Gen Milley's advice although Milley is currently protecting his boss doing damage control. Biden is lucky people are deflecting damage off him while those in Afghanistan aren't as lucky.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9904819/Biden-IGNORED-Milleys-request-2-500-troops-Afghanistan.html

Regardless if any of you think leaving with a peace plan will not work, we leave ONLY with a peace plan in hand. Then at least Biden can say he tried his best to pull out after the Taliban guarantees no violence. A peace plan, if it worked, would also leave 11 bases to the Afghan Army. Now the Taliban owns those bases  plus 6 attack aircraft, 174 Humvees, 10,000 rockets, 61,000 40mm explosive rounds, and 30 million rounds of ammo. They acquire more everyday day. If we are going to abandon Afghanistan quickly, Biden should've told our military to take the dangerous stuff home with them so it doesn't get into enemy hands. Lucky we didn't have nukes over there. Now our war equipment can be turned on Afghan civilians. But hey! Biden says the buck stops with him so our families should sleep good tonight!

[2tallbill]

GQ,

The US made a deal.  Short extension aside, Biden held our part of the deal and did not renege on it.

To not do so would mean either prolonging another 20 years, or a very nasty withdrawal.

It's not either/or
It was not prolonging it 20 years OR a nasty withdrawal.

They should have been more organized, they should have evacuated the civilians first.
They shouldn't have closed the Bagram airfield until the withdrawal was nearly complete.
They eliminated a State department program to protect Americans overseas* shortly before
they announced the withdrawal.
There are upwards of 15,000 Americans stranded in Afghanistan **

It was gross incompetence

*Biden admin moved to dismantle protections for citizens trapped overseas months before Kabul’s fall: memo
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-dismantled-ccr-kabul

** http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/15-000-americans-remain-afghanistan-after-taliban-takeover-n1277033

[tfcrew]

Biden said: *The-Buck-Stops-With-Me!*
Enough said.

OK Dr Phil. It looks to me like the bucks went with Ashraf Ghani even though he denies it.
http://nypost.com/2021/08/18/runaway-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-denies-rumors-he-fled-with-load-of-cash/  Joe Biden was a D- student and is now an even worse potus. The term the 'buck stops here' was plagiarized [as usual] from Harry Truman. If the buck stops with Biden..why bring some general in on it?

[tfcrew]

It's not either/or
It was not prolonging it 20 years OR a nasty withdrawal.

They should have been more organized, they should have evacuated the civilians first.
They shouldn't have closed the Bagram airfield until the withdrawal was nearly complete.
They eliminated a State department program to protect Americans overseas shortly before
they announced the withdrawal.

It was gross incompetence

                                           

[2tallbill]

I am convinced that there would be virtually no scenario where partisan individuals such as yourself would be satisfied with a big decision that Biden made. 
Fathertime!

I clearly stated that I agree with the big decision. How can you read my words and
think that I disagree with it?

I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan. We should have removed the
civilians first. We should have closed the Bagram air base AFTER the civilians were
removed.

I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.
I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.
I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.

[GQBlues]

Gee, that is going to make those slaughtered and raped in Afghanistan feel much better. Don't you know Biden is capable of lying? He didn't answer a question yet and he won't answer any hard questions pertaining to his actions that caused more suffering and deaths than necessary. Words or action, which means more?


We still have over 10K Americans in Afghanistan and Biden gave a speech today on how he's going to keep us safe by giving us the third jab. He then refused to take questions and quickly walked away. This is going to be a standard routine for him for the next few weeks.




When America abandoned Vietnam, my aunts and uncles were thrown in jail. One Senator voted against bringing Vietnamese refugee friends to America and that was Joe Biden.


What Biden did in Afghanistan is 100 times worse. Some of you guys don't understand what goes on in other places in the world or maybe some of you guys don't care because it isn't your family or your neck that is on the line. There is mass chaos and killings in Afghanistan right now. Women who worked for government or police are sure to be slaughtered or tortured in the worst ways. This female police officer caught by the Taliban last year was shot and had her eyes gouged out tells us what is in store for women now that the Taliban is in control. Some people will be fed to dogs.


http://dailycaller.com/2021/08/18/afghan-woman-eyes-gouged-taliban-animals-feed-womens-bodies/

I've seen media interviews with people who advised Biden how to pull out without making a mess and Biden didn't take any of their advice. Biden even ignored Gen Milley's advice although Milley is currently protecting his boss doing damage control. Biden is lucky people are deflecting damage off him while those in Afghanistan aren't as lucky.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9904819/Biden-IGNORED-Milleys-request-2-500-troops-Afghanistan.html

Regardless if any of you think leaving with a peace plan will not work, we leave ONLY with a peace plan in hand. Then at least Biden can say he tried his best to pull out after the Taliban guarantees no violence. A peace plan, if it worked, would also leave 11 bases to the Afghan Army. Now the Taliban owns those bases  plus 6 attack aircraft, 174 Humvees, 10,000 rockets, 61,000 40mm explosive rounds, and 30 million rounds of ammo. They acquire more everyday day. If we are going to abandon Afghanistan quickly, Biden should've told our military to take the dangerous stuff home with them so it doesn't get into enemy hands. Lucky we didn't have nukes over there. Now our war equipment can be turned on Afghan civilians. But hey! Biden says the buck stops with him so our families should sleep good tonight!

Rape in the US:

http://www.statista.com/statistics/191137/reported-forcible-rape-cases-in-the-usa-since-1990/

I bet you weren’t so worried about that, eh?

 

Now that’s funny!

The 3 amigos who now subscribe to the same purveyor of fake news they scorned the past 5 years. Sensationalism sells, boys.  You should know that by now.

[GQBlues]

OK Dr Phil. It looks to me like the bucks went with Ashraf Ghani even though he denies it.
http://nypost.com/2021/08/18/runaway-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-denies-rumors-he-fled-with-load-of-cash/  Joe Biden was a D- student and is now an even worse potus. The term the 'buck stops here' was plagiarized [as usual] from Harry Truman. If the buck stops with Biden..why bring some general in on it?

Yup. Trump was supposed to be an A student, no?

I supported him too when he pretty much did the same in Syria.

http://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-syria-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-ac3115b4eb564288a03a5b8be868d2e5

I don’t remember you huffing and puffing then. Why is that? LMAO!

[Trenchcoat]

The full Biden address yesterday. I couldn't care less if this was scripted because he's out there in front of all of us speaking and owning up to things he decided upon. Bush wasn't this courageous, not Trump and certainly not Obama. How refreshing.


Stop the partisanship for a change...

It is true I believe that the mistake was made back in the day. The US, etc went into Afghanistan to take out Osama & al-Qaeda. The Taliban stood in its way and wouldn't co-operate in this task. To my mind the US weren't already keen on the Taliban (religious Islamic fundamentalists, societal values) and linking them with al-Qaeda gave them an excuse to take them out at the same time. Theoretically the mission was always to take out Osama & al-Qaeda but it took to 2011 to find & kill Osama, this helped lead to mission creep.

The mission started creeping over to regime change/nation building. The US thought why not install a US/western friendly government while there more in line with its values. The big mistake seems to have been in these intervening years to spend vast amounts of money on setting up the Afghan military and reconstruction efforts. Those efforts have been shown now to be a waste of effort & money. Bush started with making the mistake & Obama carried it on.

The biggest mistake I think was going into Afghanistan in the first place. It was an ineffective solution to the problem, the terrorist network spread beyond Afghanistan possibly made worse as a result of going into Afghanistan. That was a potential problem highlighted by analysts as Bush moved closer to a military conflict in Afghanistan - that it could publicise, motivate & gain sympathy for the terrorist cause among Muslims. I think that has largely become true had the US etc not gone into Afghanistan then the US would be seen as the injured party from the World Trade Centre attacks and Muslim fundamentalists would not have had cause to be aggrieved at the US. There would always be some terrorist nutters but Afghanistan tended to radicalise many that probably wouldn't have been. Odds are with the greater attention paid to counter terrorism there wouldn't have been a second 9/11 or of a similar scale.

So to my mind the big mistake here really lies with Bush and his decision to go into Afghanistan.

I tend to agree with Biden that it looks like the Afghanistan government would have fallen after however long a period US & it's allies would be there. I'm still not convinced though that he couldn't do it without getting a peace deal first. A peace deal might have helped the Afghan government hold on longer or come to a better arrangement with the Taliban. I think he along with others in the US administration thought the Afghan government would hold out a lot better. In that it looks like the Afghan government believed this also as they seemed surprised at the speed of the Taliban advance and how quickly it's own forces turned, fled or fell. That in all fairness doesn't look like it could have been predicted. Only those with a finger on the pulse of how Afghans feel and behave possibly could have and neither the US nor the Afghan government seems to have been in touch.

So we're left with an embarrassing cock up and one which to learn from. Basically what is done is now done, the population has gone with the Taliban or they would have risen en-mass to oppose them, they did not. Had they been willing I'm sure the Afghan government and/or US would have had no issue with arming them. I personally feel that Trump may have handled the situation better he tended to have a good track record on resolving foreign affair problems during his administration without having to ultimately use force, i.e North Korea, etc. I personally think he would have held out for a peace deal and gotten the cease fire extended or been ready to use force - but that would unlikely been necessary. I think this is more a cock up resulting from a fail at the negotiation table and Biden's team not playing hard ball enough at negotiation. That seems to be an area Trump as a businessman is naturally strong on as what was probably needed here.

[BillyB]

OK Dr Phil. It looks to me like the bucks went with Ashraf Ghani even though he denies it.
http://nypost.com/2021/08/18/runaway-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-denies-rumors-he-fled-with-load-of-cash/  Joe Biden was a D- student and is now an even worse potus. The term the 'buck stops here' was plagiarized [as usual] from Harry Truman. If the buck stops with Biden..why bring some general in on it?

Biden can make a thousand more mistakes of this magnitude and tell us a thousand times the buck stops with him but it won't impress me once.


Trump did not like Afghan President Ghani. Trump's peace deal with the Taliban is they will share power with Ghani which upset Ghani. Trump was hoping Ghani would resign over it. This deal will get the Taliban to stop fighting Afghan and our forces. The Taliban and the Afghan government sharing power would allow America to maintain a presence of 800 troops strictly to eliminate terrorist cells around the country.


There were a hundred thousand Americans, Europeans, Asians, etc.. working in Afghanistan and overnight, their lives were uprooted. They had to leave everything behind and run to the airport. Now terrorist groups can grow freely which may come back to haunt us..

[fathertime]

I clearly stated that I agree with the big decision. How can you read my words and
think that I disagree with it?

I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan. We should have removed the
civilians first. We should have closed the Bagram air base AFTER the civilians were
removed.

I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.
I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.
I 100% agree that we need to be out of Afghanistan.

Shoulda this, shoulda that, monday morning quarterbacking.  Biden had the guts to do what no other president in the past 20 years did.  He exited the US from Afghanistan.  Nothing nowadays goes according to plan. 

Fathertime! 

[BC]

Biden can make a thousand more mistakes of this magnitude and tell us a thousand times the buck stops with him but it won't impress me once.

Doesn't seem like he is out to impress anyone, even you, but instead simply telling it like it is.  I like that a lot better than one who is only out to impress folks about himself.