Taliban Taking Over Afghanistan - Does anyone care?

[BreatheUT]

US government civilians were out first. U.S. citizens who didn't have the sense to gtfo when the military was pulling back get no sympathy from me.

Anything that makes you feel better. Was it clear? Also, I think if this was handled better then we are looking at the refugee crisis we're currently faced with.

 

[C-south]

At least now you feel the misery that 81 million suffered through for the last four.

Sucks, don't it?

Lol. I’m not in Afghanistan. But like a typical mentally deranged dim you’d rather everyone actually suffer if it means your feelings won’t hurt as bad.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Given the military blunders throughout our history that resulted bodycounts, I’m question that it is “safe to say” this is the worst.

It’s bad, nobody is denying that. But the worst blunder ever? Seems you guys are being a little dramatic here.

I’ve already said Bay of Pigs was probably worse. But again nobody can prove that was OUR military!

 

[rjd970]

Hyperbole is taking over faster than the Taliban.

It seems like the dramatic snowflake antics in the COVID thread have rubbed off on a few in here.

Biden withdrew. He screwed up by not doing things they they should have. The Taliban swept through the country in a month. The U.S. was embarrassed.

Anybody disagree with that? Exactly what makes that the worst military blunder in U.S. history? I even legit have an open mind here because I don’t see it one bit. It was bad, sure. And that makes it the worst because….?

 

[rjd970]

I’ve already said Bay of Pigs was probably worse. But again nobody can prove that was OUR military!

Well @kiddiedoc seems to think it’s a pretty safe bet this takes the cake.

 

[KB5252]

How many can’t we get to? Seriously asking here. And we also need to take into account how many had the ability to leave months ago and didn’t. There is some culpability with them. No?

Sure, they have some culpability but just like the rest of us they depended on the info coming from the President and this administration. Flawed information, incompetence. That falls on the administration.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Well @kiddiedoc seems to think it’s a pretty safe bet this takes the cake.

It’s definitely in the discussion and this one is still fairly raw and still unfolding. Don’t sell that dumbass in the WH short of setting a new bar.

 

[NorthDallas40]

It seems like the dramatic snowflake antics in the COVID thread have rubbed off on a few in here.

Biden withdrew. He screwed up by not doing things they they should have. The Taliban swept through the country in a month. The U.S. was embarrassed.

Anybody disagree with that? Exactly what makes that the worst military blunder in U.S. history? I even legit have an open mind here because I don’t see it one bit. It was bad, sure. And that makes it the worst because….?

A month? The timespan alone is about all that separates this from Saigon

 

[Septic]

It seems like the dramatic snowflake antics in the COVID thread have rubbed off on a few in here.

Biden withdrew. He screwed up by not doing things they they should have. The Taliban swept through the country in a month. The U.S. was embarrassed.

Anybody disagree with that? Exactly what makes that the worst military blunder in U.S. history? I even legit have an open mind here because I don’t see it one bit. It was bad, sure. And that makes it the worst because….?

It was the "worst" and now our VNPF red hat brethren will have to forever hang their heads in shame when the visit the Louvre or lay on the beach on Cozumel. I'm not sure that I'll be able to look my yard guys (they're Columbian) in the eye's anymore from the shame from Biden's miscalculation that's left exactly zero American troops dead.

 

[Septic]

Sure, they have some culpability but just like the rest of us they depended on the info coming from the President and this administration. Flawed information, incompetence. That falls on the administration.

Trump told everyone that America was getting out, gave them a date and then bragged last week that there was nothing Biden could have done to stop it.

If they were there, they knew and had PLENTY of time to gtfo of Dodge.

 

[NorthDallas40]

It was the "worst" and now our VNPF red hat brethren will have to forever hang their heads in shame when the visit the Louvre or lay on the beach on Cozumel. I'm not sure that I'll be able to look my yard guys (they're Columbian) in the eye's anymore from the shame from Biden's miscalculation that's left exactly zero American troops dead.

you thinking that’s gonna hold? I won’t bother bringing up US civilians you’ve already stated they were chaff.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

It was the "worst" and now our VNPF red hat brethren will have to forever hang their heads in shame when the visit the Louvre or lay on the beach on Cozumel. I'm not sure that I'll be able to look my yard guys (they're Columbian) in the eye's anymore from the shame from Biden's miscalculation that's left exactly zero American troops dead.

You don't mow your own yard? WIMP!!!

 

[Septic]

you thinking that’s gonna hold? I won’t bother bringing up US civilians you’ve already stated they were chaff.

Civvies who were there were there of their own accord.

I remember when the personal responsibility trait was a narrative that the right used to own.

 

[rjd970]

Sure, they have some culpability but just like the rest of us they depended on the info coming from the President and this administration. Flawed information, incompetence. That falls on the administration.

The aid workers and what not that refused when they could have easily caught a flight out…2 weeks ago even…share more of the culpability. And the Afghans or families of U.S. citizens that have had visa and paperwork problem since before Biden was even president can’t pin all this on him or the military either. There are actually very few
Americans there that were required to be on official business and are now stuck. And I would bet the mortgage almost every last one are still in the embassy or intentionally being left alone at this point.

Look, I’m not a Biden fan and I didn’t vote for him. But I really think people are just taking a lot of the sensationalist journalism at face value because the headline appeals to them and not because it is an accurate representation of what is actually happening and why.

 

[Septic]

You don't mow your own yard? WIMP!!!

I've got a big yard and no - I play golf, boat and fish. Fun ranks higher than the cost of paying a lawn service.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Civvies who were there were there of their own accord.

I remember when the personal responsibility trait was a narrative that the right used to own.

Lol. So ministries and teachers and other civilian aid are just track fodder? Ok…

 

[85SugarVol]

I've been thinking about this since last night, and I still don't fully agree, and still am not completely sure why I see a difference. You are right; Taiwan is largely un-defendable because of proximity, but there are a lot of issues.

The Nationalist Chinese hate China, and they will go to their own defense - hopefully they haven't turned into a nation of pansies like we have. Fairly recently (probably except for raw numbers) their military was considered stronger than China's military. So Taiwan will fight - which would be pretty different from other places we've tried to help.

If China were to invade Taiwan, it's likely the battle would decimate Taiwan. Other than chest thumping, what would China really gain from an island with all its manufacturing and industrial know how gutted.

We have a lot of assets in the region. Okinawa is very close in modern day distances, and we have several bases including an impressive AF base and munition storage capacity there. The Japanese themselves have quite a military presence there have - mostly self defense; they have taken over our old Hawk and Nike bases and put Patriots there. The Naha airport at the south end of the island has a squadron of F-15s and a Patriot battery, and they are at a safer distance.

The Chinese have an impressive AF on paper and a severe problem with engine durability - I guess with the population land mass they have, that may be logistically managed. Air power and missiles could decimate Taiwan, but again to what end other than chest thumping. Crossing water and getting onshore with a critical mass is still the kind of problem it always has been, and that's about the only way to take the island and preserve the industry.

If Taiwan were attacked, it would signal Chinese aggressive will to a number of other countries in the region - S Korea and Japan certainly would have a lot to lose and a lot to defend, and defense isn't always sitting back and waiting. Countries between Australia and Taiwan would have a lot to lose and probably most wouldn't see Chinese occupation as desirable - that can change odds - especially if the Philippines became our buddies again.

I wouldn't want to be the one calculating the odds and making the decisions, but I'm also not sure it's as bleak as it appears. We could certainly boycott everything Chinese (painfully thanks to globalists) in the event they attack Taiwan; with our trade and lax security we are certainly and stupidly guilty of funding and providing the technology and industry that made the Chinese military what it is. The big question is would the rest of the world boycott China with us. I guess I see Chinese invasion of Taiwan as potentially one of those win the battle and lose the war things for China ... all hinging on world willpower.

In the end I'd almost bet the Chinese just play the time honored long game, but the CCP does seem willing to be less rational and traditional.

Taiwan actually has a very capable armed forces (they get all their gear from us).

I think they can muster 300,000 troops in a surge if necessary.
Abrams tanks, Apaches, Cobras, Hellfire missiles.
They have F-16 & F-5 (“MiG-28s”)squadrons.
Destroyers, Subs.

They would have the capacity to throw a few punches.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I've got a big yard and no - I play golf, boat and fish. Fun ranks higher than the cost of paying a lawn service.

I do those things too except for golf.

 

[KB5252]

Trump told everyone that America was getting out, gave them a date and then bragged last week that there was nothing Biden could have done to stop it.

If they were there, they knew and had PLENTY of time to gtfo of Dodge.

Americans abroad aren't listening to Trump, he has no power nor access to military intelligence.

I guess you're right though, we shouldn't take Biden literally.

 

[rjd970]

you thinking that’s gonna hold? I won’t bother bringing up US civilians you’ve already stated they were chaff.

Maybe it will.

I don’t know, maybe it won’t. But as of now the most that has happened is 20 years of wasted blood and treasure. We also have egg on our face with how we executed it.

Biden owns more of the blame on the embarrassment than he does if lost blood and treasure. He owns about 8 months worth of a 20 year failed endeavor.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Maybe it will.

I don’t know, maybe it won’t. But as of now the most that has happened is 20 years of wasted blood and treasure. We also have egg on our face with how we executed it.

Biden owns more of the blame on the embarrassment than he does if lost blood and treasure. He owns about 8 months worth of a 20 year failed endeavor.

The final outcome is still unknown. The first terror attack originating from there Biden is going to own, fair or not.

 

[Septic]

Lol. So ministries and teachers and other civilian aid are just track fodder? Ok…

Life is made of choices.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Safe to say that this is now the greatest military blunder in U.S. history?

Going TO Afghanistan was more of a blunder than how we are leaving...

 

[Jxn Vol]

Life is made of choices.

Not vaccines. Those are mandatory.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

EVACUATION FLIGHTS NOT GUARANTEED TO BE FREE: Even though U.S. officials tell NatSec Daily and others that evacuation flights from Kabul will be free, people trying to catch a plane in the Afghan capital say differently. One person said State Department staff were seeking large payments — up to $2,000 — from American passengers and even more from non-U.S. citizens.

When we relayed what this person told us to the State Department, a spokesperson didn’t deny that this is happening.

“U.S. law requires that evacuation assistance to private U.S. citizens or third country nationals be provided ‘on a reimbursable basis to the maximum extent practicable.’ The situation is extremely fluid, and we are working to overcome obstacles as they arise,” the spokesperson said.

In other words, the Biden administration may request payments for evacuation flights.

Exclusive: Biden's Iran envoy calls nuclear deal's fate 'one big question mark'

How much will the Afghani refugees pay?