Aussies in Afghan, what a waste of life.

[bob10]

Just like Vietnam, they were sent there on a lie. And no politician has been held to account.

Incomplete strategy and niche contributions — Australia leaves Afghanistan after 20 years (theconversation.com) (https://theconversation.com/incomplete-strategy-and-niche-contributions-australia-leaves-afghanistan-after-20-years-159045?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20 for%20April%2016%202021%20-%201918718762&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20f or%20April%2016%202021%20-%201918718762+CID_24c09707397f40d50d11bd5ec4a2edbb&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Incomplete%20strategy%20and%20niche%20con tributions%20%20Australia%20leaves%20Afghanistan%2 0after%2020%20years)

[bob10]

What was it all for?

As the US plans its Afghan troop withdrawal, what was it all for? (theconversation.com) (https://theconversation.com/as-the-us-plans-its-afghan-troop-withdrawal-what-was-it-all-for-159053?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20 for%20April%2016%202021%20-%201918718762&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20f or%20April%2016%202021%20-%201918718762+CID_24c09707397f40d50d11bd5ec4a2edbb&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=what%20was%20it%20all%20for)

[bob10]

This has to be said.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AADTxhm.img?h=40&w=138&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&f=png (https://www.skynews.com.au/)Australia’s troops ‘feel betrayed’ by our leaders and ‘so they should’: McGregor

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Australia’s troops ‘feel betrayed’ by our leaders and ‘so they should’:

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For too many of Australia’s troops have “lost confidence” and feel “deeply betrayed” by our leaders, and “so they should,” according to Sky News host Catherine McGregor.

“To me – as a veteran – I felt a strange sense of emptiness at the announcement that our longest war was finally drawing to a close,” Ms McGregor said.
“An obviously emotional Prime Minister read the names of the 41 Australian soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan. I do not doubt his sincerity, but the time for tears has come and gone – actions speak louder than words”.

“If the Government really has our backs – as we are being assured – then drop all the prosecutions for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and pardon former military lawyer David McBride.”
Ms McGregor said it is “one thing to withdraw from Afghanistan” but “another thing entirely to bring our troops home if it doesn’t really feel like home anymore”.
“I have repeatedly called for our complete withdrawal on this network in recent years … it was obvious to me while I was a serving officer of the Australian Army – as far back as 2007, that our strategy in Afghanistan was deeply and fatally flawed,” she said.
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Ms McGregor said our “political class from both sides of politics” had only “one strategic objective in Afghanistan”: to plant our flag in the sand and be seen as “reliable allies to the United States”.

“But the use of the SASR to conduct conventional infantry missions demoralised our infantry and physically and mentally exhausted our Special Forces,” she said.

“The role of the SAS Regiment had always been covert insertion and surveillance and reconnaissance in small five man patrols … the effect on these men – who were deployed multiple times - over time was to numb their moral sensibilities and to psychologically scar them, and it inculcated a body count measure of success that was endorsed at the very highest levels”.

“Those who sent those men to kill every designated individual on the so-called Joint Prioritised Effects List are now demanding exclusive moral culpability for the absence of any coherent strategy upon a handful of junior soldiers from one regiment.”
Ms McGregor said this is “absolutely sickening” and the quiet Australians are “enraged by it”.

“This week I felt utter disgust at the theatrical posturing of a millionaire CEO resplendent in white crying about being sacked over Cartier watches. I’ll give you the big tip: the Taliban didn’t need watches, because they had time on their side,” she said.

“Welcome to Australia in 2021. A nation that is now so lacking moral ballast that we believe Christine Holgate and Magda Szubanski are ‘brave’ while we vilify men who have faced a deadly enemy in extreme conditions – toxic masculinity apparently”.


“To the families who lost sons, brothers or husbands – and to every fellow veteran I want to pay sincere and genuine respect.”

[bob10]

Last exit from Afghanistan, for the USA. From the New Yorker;

Last Exit from Afghanistan | The New Yorker (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/08/last-exit-from-afghanistan?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_041721&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5cc9e26e3f92a477a0ea0693&cndid=52475003&hasha=38b653f59d8a788d2b8029d349fb05f1&hashb=acd4725d670d172aa9d05ce7f671dc63250efce1&hashc=c17365ab07572ed90614d245ada5ad675f6bc00189fa 766123c70d76d1d7cddf&esrc=bounceX&mbid=CRMNYR012019&utm_term=TNY_Daily)

[bob10]

The original sin of the war in Afghanistan.

The original sin of the war in Iraq was going to war in Iraq. And the original sin of the war in Afghanistan was going to war in Iraq.

The Original Sin of the War in Afghanistan - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/04/original-sin-war-afghanistan/173535/)

[bob10]

It's all Taliban country now. So what the hell was our involvement about ?


‘It’s all Taliban country now’: Militant checkpoints are choking off parts of Afghanistan (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/it-s-all-taliban-country-now-militant-checkpoints-are-choking-off-parts-of-afghanistan/ar-BB1gu6xi?ocid=msedgntp)

[bob10]

And so it begins. Back to the future. Australian veterans of the Afghan war will need support in the coming months.

Bombing Outside Afghan School Kills at Least 30, With Girls as Targets - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/world/asia/bombing-school-afghanistan.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20210508&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=84534669&segment_id=57603&user_id=38b653f59d8a788d2b8029d349fb05f1)

[bob10]

The war will end as it began. In blood. America may be finished with Afghanistan, but Afghanistan is not finished with America. From the New York Times;

Opinion | The Afghanistan War Will End as It Began: In Blood - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/05/opinion/afghanistan-withdrawal.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article)

[bob10]

The Pentagon struggles to wean the Afghan military off US air support. Since May 1, the day of the announcement of the US pullout, six military bases collapsed in North Baghlan Province, a military base was over run in the West, and in the South, the Taliban have almost encircled the capital of Helmand Province, and have seized a key dam in Kandahar.

Pentagon Struggles to Wean Afghan Military Off American Air Support - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/06/us/politics/afghanistan-withdrawal-biden-milley-austin.html'smid=tw-share)

[bob10]

Remember those pictures of helicopters being pushed off US carriers at the end of the Vietnam war, & the evacuation of Saigon ? Well, something similar is happening in Afghanistan. Not a good look, a beaten enemy running away in a panic. from Defense One.


Time Crunch for Afghanistan Withdrawal Is Producing a Big Trash Pile - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/05/time-crunch-afghanistan-withdrawal-producing-big-trash-pile/174021/)

[bob10]

The Taliban put the pressure on. Who will be next on the merry go round of Afghanistan. China ?

A Wave of Afghan Surrenders to the Taliban Picks Up Speed - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/world/asia/afghan-surrender-taliban.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20210527&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=84534669&segment_id=59195&user_id=38b653f59d8a788d2b8029d349fb05f1)

[bob10]

It started with the Vietnamese refugees, then the Iraq refugees, now the Afghanistan refugees? All from Wars that were started with a lie.

‘The first group they will kill’: why Afghan allies are terrified about Australia’s exit (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/the-first-group-they-will-kill-why-afghan-allies-are-terrified-about-australia-s-exit/ar-AAKwiYc?ocid=msedgdhp)

[bob10]

We close our Embassy in Afghan.

Australia closes embassy after misplaced participation in Afghanistan conflict | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au) (https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-closes-embassy-after-misplaced-participation-in-afghanistan-conflict/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_f6deea78 775ee685b45c0bf6d47ef523&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Australia%20closes%20embassy%20after%20mi splaced%20participation%20in%20Afghanistan%20confl ict)

[bob10]

From the USA, don't just end the War in Afghanistan, repeal the resolution that authorised it. Something for Australia to think about. From Defense One;


Don’t Just End the War in Afghanistan, Repeal the Resolution That Authorized It - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/05/dont-just-end-war-afghanistan-repeal-resolution-authorized-it/174358/)

[bob10]

The story of three major powers invading Afghanistan. " It's easy to get into Afghanistan, it's just the getting out part that is difficult". And one Russian general's advice to the British and Americans? " take the quickest route out!"

Part1.;

(23) Afghanistan: the Great Game (Part I) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m7uL4Q44ws)


Part2.;

(23) Afghanistan the Great Game (Part II) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6jItZF5ZeU)

[bob10]

What now for Afghanistan? From DW;

Afghanistan: Power struggle in the Hindu Kush | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 26.06.2021 (https://www.dw.com/en/afghanistan-power-struggle-in-the-hindu-kush/a-58049683'maca=en-newsletter_en_bulletin-2097-xml-newsletter&r=2716487810229355&lid=1871055&pm_ln=98387)

[bob10]

Breaking news from the White House " Afghanistan is not a winnable war". Really?

Afghanistan is ‘Not a Winnable War,’ White House Says as Taliban Storms Country - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/06/afghanistan-not-winnable-war-white-house-says-taliban-storms-country/174985/)

[bob10]

How did Afghanistan get to this point? The Strategist;

Amin Saikal is adjunct professor of social sciences at the University of Western Australia, and author of Modern Afghanistan: a history of struggle and survival and co-author of The spectre of Afghanistan: the security of Central Asia.




How did Afghanistan get to this crisis point? | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au) (https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-did-afghanistan-get-to-this-crisis-point/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_46e64bbf 64cbfd693b96c6c701ed793c&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=How%20did%20Afghanistan%20get%20to%20this %20crisis%20point)

[ramblingboy42]

its religious

how many times have there been uprisings throughout that part of the world led by religious zealots?

whilst they continue with their beliefs and we continue with ours there will never be world peace.

if there was a real god and that god that is worshipped by it's (no sex here) followers were real it would reign supreme and the world would be at peace.

[bob10]

The US leaves Bagram.

Fighter Jets Leave Afghanistan as US Departs Bagram - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/07/fighter-jets-leave-afghanistan-us-departs-bagram/183068/)

[bob10]

its religious

how many times have there been uprisings throughout that part of the world led by religious zealots?

whilst they continue with their beliefs and we continue with ours there will never be world peace.

if there was a real god and that god that is worshipped by it's (no sex here) followers were real it would reign supreme and the world would be at peace.

It's not as simple as that. I don't think Afghanistan has ever invaded any one. This time around it was the USA who invaded , a knee jerk reaction to 9-11.

[bob10]

Not quite pushing helicopters off carriers, A LA Vietnam, but close. EDIT Politicians don't want to highlight that a military project launched to destroy the Taliban, is ending with the group resurgent across the country.

Hundreds of Afghan security forces flee as districts fall to Taliban (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/hundreds-of-afghan-security-forces-flee-as-districts-fall-to-taliban/ar-AALLAK6?ocid=msedgntp)

[bob10]

What was America doing in Afghanistan? They didn't really know, and that was part of the problem.

America Never Knew Why It Was in Afghanistan - The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/04/america-never-knew-why-it-was-afghanistan/618582/)

[bob10]

The US once wanted peace in Afghanistan. Feb.2020

The U.S. Settles for a Truce With the Taliban - The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/02/united-states-taliban-afghanistan-peace-deal/607234/)

[bob10]

This article is from 2019.


The 'Pentagon Papers' Afghanistan. Every one knew the US [ and rusted on allies] were losing, but those in charge insisted we were winning. America's leaders , Democrat & Republican, civilian and military, elected , appointed, and career civil servant , have lied as to how the war in Afghanistan was going. Add to that the same cohort in Australia.

The 'Pentagon Papers' of the Afghanistan War - The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/afghanistan-pentagon-papers-vietnam/603316/)

[bob10]

At war with the truth, The Washington Post reveals that senior US officials failed to tell the truth about the War in Afghanistan throughout the 18 year campaign, making pronouncements they knew to be false, and hiding unmistakable evidence the war had become unwinnable. Rumsfeld wrote a memo to several Generals and senior aides, 6 months after the war started .The Memo, From the Washington Post.;

“I may be impatient. In fact I know I’m a bit impatient,” (http://wapo.st/2pSqA52'document=rumsfeld_nsarchive_2002_04_17_to_ doug_feith_re_afghanistan&page=1&anno=1&filter=filter-spin) Rumsfeld wrote in one memo to several generals and senior aides. “We are never going to get the U.S. military out of Afghanistan unless we take care to see that there is something going on that will provide the stability that will be necessary for us to leave.” (http://wapo.st/2pSqA52'document=rumsfeld_nsarchive_2002_04_17_to_ doug_feith_re_afghanistan&page=1&anno=2&filter=filter-spin)
“Help!” (http://wapo.st/2pSqA52'document=rumsfeld_nsarchive_2002_04_17_to_ doug_feith_re_afghanistan&page=1&anno=3&filter=filter-spin) he wrote.

The memo was dated April 17, 2002 — six months after the war started.




U.S. officials misled the public about the war in Afghanistan, confidential documents reveal - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-confidential-documents/)




The Afghanistan papers; US and Allied officials admitted the mission had no clear strategy and poorly defined objectives.

The Afghanistan Papers: Documents reveal U.S. officials knew the war had become unwinnable - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/)

[bob10]

its religious

how many times have there been uprisings throughout that part of the world led by religious zealots?

whilst they continue with their beliefs and we continue with ours there will never be world peace.

if there was a real god and that god that is worshipped by it's (no sex here) followers were real it would reign supreme and the world would be at peace.

I recommend very highly you read post 26, and especially watch the video. Cheers.

[bob10]

The Afghans own whatever comes next , says Biden. Defense One.;

Afghans Own Whatever Comes Next, Biden Says - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/07/afghans-own-whatever-comes-next-biden-says/183608/)

[Saitch]

its religious

how many times have there been uprisings throughout that part of the world led by religious zealots?

whilst they continue with their beliefs and we continue with ours there will never be world peace.

if there was a real god and that god that is worshipped by it's (no sex here) followers were real it would reign supreme and the world would be at peace.

A modern day 'Crusade', without King Richard or Saladin!

[bob10]

A modern day 'Crusade', without King Richard or Saladin!

Well the Crusades were about 1000 miles to the west. More like this.

Holy Grail - Killer Bunny - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=monty+python+videos+youtube&&view=detail&mid=24DEA11AB1064239C1C924DEA11AB1064239C1C9&&FORM=VDRVRV)

[bob10]

Stranded without a strategy. Part 2.


U.S. lacked a clear war strategy in Afghanistan, officials acknowledged in confidential documents - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-strategy/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

Built to fail. Despite vows the US would not get mired in " Nation building", they did just that,

How U.S. efforts to rebuild Afghanistan backfired - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-nation-building/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

Consumed by corruption. Mansions know as opium palaces rose from the rubble. President Karzai admitted the CIA had delivered bags of cash to his office for years, saying it was nothing unusual.

U.S. tolerated corruption in Afghanistan, officials admit in confidential documents - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-corruption-government/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

Unguarded Nation.

Despite glowing reports the the training of the Afghan army was going great, behind the scenes it was " incompetent, unmotivated , corrupt and riddled with infiltrators. "

U.S. military trainers say Afghan security forces were incompetent and unmotivated, according to confidential documents - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-army-police/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

Of all the failures in Afghanistamn, the war on drugs is the most feckless.

Opium in Afghanistan: How the U.S. failed to end poppy production during the war - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-opium-poppy-production/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

A secret history of the Afghanistan US War;

The Afghanistan Papers: Documents reveal U.S. officials knew the war had become unwinnable - Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/'tid=bottom_nav)

[bob10]

The Taliban fly their flag in Kanduz, the capitol of Kanduz province.

The Taliban fly their flag in Kunduz as exhausted Afghan troops regroup. - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/08/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20210808&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=84534669&segment_id=65715&user_id=38b653f59d8a788d2b8029d349fb05f1)

[bob10]

The UK tells its citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately. Britain can not gurantee their safety. Conflict has spread to all parts of Afghanistan, over 400 children have died since January. A refugee crisis , with thousands fleeing Afghanistan , is now certain. Pakistan is in crisis, with a third covid wave , a declared drought, and escalating conflict, the whole area is very unstable .

UK tells its nationals to leave Afghanistan immediately | News | DW | 07.08.2021 (https://www.dw.com/en/uk-tells-its-nationals-to-leave-afghanistan-immediately/a-58789804'maca=en-newsletter_en_bulletin-2097-xml-newsletter&r=2716490835229398&lid=1903598&pm_ln=104942)

[bob10]

The UN asks the Taliban to stop the attacks on cities.

Afghanistan: UN envoy urges Taliban to halt attacks on cities | News | DW | 06.08.2021 (https://www.dw.com/en/afghanistan-un-envoy-urges-taliban-to-halt-attacks-on-cities/a-58785564)