Posted on 08/16/2021 8:39:24 AM PDT by Kaslin
That the decrepit state of planning in the leadup to a known and announced withdrawal deadline persists so late in the game is unforgivable.
That the decrepit state of planning in the leadup to a known and announced withdrawal deadline persists so late in the game is unforgivable.
…U.S. officials have insisted the military will be able to keep terrorism threats in check through what’s known as over-the-horizon operations, or those launched from outside the country. But plans for exactly how those operations will work and where those troops could be based are still being crafted.The United States does not have any basing agreements with Afghanistan’s neighbors, and various geopolitical concerns, such countries’ relations with Russia, appear to make any such agreements unlikely.
…U.S. officials have insisted the military will be able to keep terrorism threats in check through what’s known as over-the-horizon operations, or those launched from outside the country. But plans for exactly how those operations will work and where those troops could be based are still being crafted.
The United States does not have any basing agreements with Afghanistan’s neighbors, and various geopolitical concerns, such countries’ relations with Russia, appear to make any such agreements unlikely.
[Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, in a hearing] asked officials to commit to not fully withdraw from Afghanistan until access, basing, and overflight agreements are locked in with other countries in the region.But David Helvey, acting assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said the withdrawal is separate from the effort to obtain agreements with other nations to keep assets in the area.
[Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, in a hearing] asked officials to commit to not fully withdraw from Afghanistan until access, basing, and overflight agreements are locked in with other countries in the region.
But David Helvey, acting assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said the withdrawal is separate from the effort to obtain agreements with other nations to keep assets in the area.
That the decrepit state of planning in the leadup to a known and announced withdrawal deadline persists so late in the game is unforgivable given the lives and treasure expended in Afghanistan. I don’t expect the American people to get deeply invested in the country’s affairs again, nor should we return to the era of color-coded threats and experts on TV spouting the latest acronym for some regional terrorist group.
But given the alarming incompetence of this administration, it is incumbent upon the American people to pay attention to Afghanistan again until a credible plan takes shape. As the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, we owe ourselves that much.
They eat their young. (And old, too)
wy69
Meh...most people will consider it a small price to pay for finally getting out.
In the long run, leaving Afghanistan will help Biden and the Dems at the polls. I wish Trump had gotten us out during his presidency. It would have been an awesome talking point duing the debates.
The stench will last longer than you suggest.
11 The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
THREE witnesses in the streets: NYT, WSJ, and WaPo; too!
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