Afghanistan - why did we bother?

[Swissclaret]

Well said CiB. A totally needless adventure which, if they had heeded history, we should never have embarked upon.
Wasted lives, wasted money and still ongoing expenses to be met and all to return to status quo before very long.
They say that we should learn from history, however, the modern trend is to try to bring people to boot for things which happened in the past ---I wonder whether Tony Blair will ever be brought to book!

Edited to add that the Chinese will step in with a rebuilding programme and throw money at it in order that they can continue on their search for world domination.

Spot on Supersub. Insanity is often defined as doing the same thing time and time again, believing that the outcome will be different. It never is.

[DownThePlughole66]

We seem to have left Afghanistan in a worse state than before we got there.

It's estimated around 500 of our British troops were killed and countless more injured.

This is not meant to be a "knocking" exercise, but why in the 21st century do we still feel the need to impose ourselves with military interventions in the sovereignty of other states?

500 men and women lost and countless billions spunked and the Taliban are back in control in a matter of weeks.

What was the point?

What was the point indeed?

The UK has a history of following in the steps of the USA (special relationship) and the site of Blair cosying up to Bush outside the White House angers me every time its screened on TV.
I seem to remember Paddy Ashdown (who as an ex marine had far more idea and sense than the egotistical Blair, warning both Iraq (second time) and Afghanistan were errors but no-one listened)
America has an appalling track record in foreign policy, poking their unwanted presence just about everywhere they shouldn't and sitting by when they should get involved.

Late in WW2 and late once again in former Yugoslavia along with that other useless outfit the UN (talking shop)

Vietnam,Iran,Iraq,South America-military and political interference in abundance.
For those who remember the withdrawal in Vietnam by the USA fast forward Afghanistan.

A long time ago now, but I remember being in a politics discussion in class in the time of Harold Wilson's reign.
The teacher that day who was a "staunch" labour supporter, said whatever we think of Wilson all political parties would support the following belief,Wilson kept the UK out of Vietnam despite pressure from LBJ and the American military.
History proved him right!

The current incumbent in the White House (Biden) has replaced (Trump) and every time the presidential election takes place over there its just like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!
In the UK we have a comedy act running the country with an even bigger comedy act in opposition-Johnson and Starmer-sort of has a ring to it;BBC should sign them up as alternative comedians! Politically incorrect and correct comedy!

I dont have NETFLIX but have heard about "Bitter State" and would like to view it at some point-maybe everyone should.
I could however recommend a SKY series Deep State" with Mark Strong-fictional but very thought provoking-military industry and money making through conflicts.

Finally,I hope I live to see the day that Blair has to "face up" to his past and somehow made to atone for his ego!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Dream on DownthePlughole, the British Establishment looks after their own.

[DownThePlughole66]

Dream on DownthePlughole, the British Establishment looks after their own.

Sadly,that appears to be true!

[Supersub6]

Dream on DownthePlughole, the British Establishment looks after their own.

Sadly,that appears to be true!

It has always been the case, plus ca change!

[Norder]

.

Why this Hell ?....because of the constructors of chaos, external powers and their destabilizing motives - it's a stitch up.....why else would they install, support and promote corrupt govenments with no thought for human rights - who were more hated and more evil than those they fought to rid....they would Never be accepted, they just supplied more hate, breeding more division, more infighting amd complete failure.




..

[wanderlust]

What was the point indeed?

The UK has a history of following in the steps of the USA (special relationship) and the site of Blair cosying up to Bush outside the White House angers me every time its screened on TV.
I seem to remember Paddy Ashdown (who as an ex marine had far more idea and sense than the egotistical Blair, warning both Iraq (second time) and Afghanistan were errors but no-one listened)
America has an appalling track record in foreign policy, poking their unwanted presence just about everywhere they shouldn't and sitting by when they should get involved.

Late in WW2 and late once again in former Yugoslavia along with that other useless outfit the UN (talking shop)

Vietnam,Iran,Iraq,South America-military and political interference in abundance.
For those who remember the withdrawal in Vietnam by the USA fast forward Afghanistan.

A long time ago now, but I remember being in a politics discussion in class in the time of Harold Wilson's reign.
The teacher that day who was a "staunch" labour supporter, said whatever we think of Wilson all political parties would support the following belief,Wilson kept the UK out of Vietnam despite pressure from LBJ and the American military.
History proved him right!

The current incumbent in the White House (Biden) has replaced (Trump) and every time the presidential election takes place over there its just like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!
In the UK we have a comedy act running the country with an even bigger comedy act in opposition-Johnson and Starmer-sort of has a ring to it;BBC should sign them up as alternative comedians! Politically incorrect and correct comedy!

I dont have NETFLIX but have heard about "Bitter State" and would like to view it at some point-maybe everyone should.
I could however recommend a SKY series Deep State" with Mark Strong-fictional but very thought provoking-military industry and money making through conflicts.

Finally,I hope I live to see the day that Blair has to "face up" to his past and somehow made to atone for his ego!

That'll be Bitter LAKE amigo. Sort of a collection of home movies and newsreels documenting what happened.

Meanwhile Kabul has fallen, America is turning on Biden - even though it was Trump's plan to withdraw, the Afghan protesters outside the White House are blaming Pakistan for supporting the Taliban, Afghan (ex) President Ghani has gone to Uzbekistan, and the whole thing is a **** show.

Why did we bother indeed.
Because we and the Yanks have a long history of interfering with other cultures we don't understand in other countries we shouldn't be anywhere near in order to fight communism/get oil/establish a strategic military base/win massive contracts etc etc.
It's not about terrorism - there wouldn't be any if we hadn't meddled - it's about money.

The other thing is naivete. The Yanks have had their ass handed to them in every war since WW2 and yet they've learned nothing.
To think that installing a corrupt puppet government and training up local people to hold the fort without fully understanding what's really happening seems to be a lesson they'll never learn. South Vietnam held out for nearly two years after the Americans pulled out and then capitulated to the North. Afghanistan is perhaps the fastest capitulation on record.

If we are technically the 51st state we need to watch our backs. Tonight the Yanks who were supposed to be evacuating their allies have prioritised getting American citizens out over the Afghans that supported them. Some ally.

[sinkov]

"Epic failure': Joe Biden under fire over unfolding chaos in Afghanistan"

"The West flees as Kabul falls to the Taliban
Islamist forces take Afghan capital unopposed amid desperate scramble by allies to escape"

"Taliban fighters capture Black Hawk helicopters from US base in Afghanistan"

"'I'm scared I'll be raped and killed': Afghanistan's female soldiers fear for their lives"

"Joe Biden is facing the worst crisis of his presidency as his plans for an orderly US withdrawal from Afghanistan crumbled. The frantic scramble to evacuate American diplomats before the Taliban took control of Kabul has raised questions about Mr Biden’s judgement. Despite warnings that the Afghan government would collapse, Mr Biden accelerated the timetable he inherited from Donald Trump."

The American people, in their wisdom, chose to replace the Donald with Sleepy Joe, and this is what they've got. As Oscar Wilde said, 'It would take a heart of stone not to laugh'. God bless Biden's America, the laughing stock of the world.

[ClaretinBudapest]

"Epic failure': Joe Biden under fire over unfolding chaos in Afghanistan"

"The West flees as Kabul falls to the Taliban
Islamist forces take Afghan capital unopposed amid desperate scramble by allies to escape"

"Taliban fighters capture Black Hawk helicopters from US base in Afghanistan"

"'I'm scared I'll be raped and killed': Afghanistan's female soldiers fear for their lives"

"Joe Biden is facing the worst crisis of his presidency as his plans for an orderly US withdrawal from Afghanistan crumbled. The frantic scramble to evacuate American diplomats before the Taliban took control of Kabul has raised questions about Mr Biden’s judgement. Despite warnings that the Afghan government would collapse, Mr Biden accelerated the timetable he inherited from Donald Trump."

The American people, in their wisdom, chose to replace the Donald with Sleepy Joe, and this is what they've got. As Oscar Wilde said, 'It would take a heart of stone not to laugh'. God bless Biden's America, the laughing stock of the world.

They did not choose him Sinkov.George Soros and the Cabal with China`s help chose him.The American people overwhelmingly voted for Trump.It is being revealed now.Follow Mike Lindell`s Cyber Symposium Central.

[sinkov]

They did not choose him Sinkov.George Soros and the Cabal with China`s help chose him.The American people overwhelmingly voted for Trump.It is being revealed now.Follow Mike Lindell`s Cyber Symposium Central.

That's another story altogether CiB, but the Lefty media insist that the American people chose Biden in a scrupulously fair election, and quite right they were too to choose him, according to them. Biden is the media darling, I just have to smile when I read about the ****-show their elected President and government has dumped in their laps. Be careful what you wish for, springs to mind.