Bastion.

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Came across this one quite by accident.

Shame and embarrassment allied forces Afghan.

Not aware of this one. And believe me I am attentive to such things. For some reason it all was missed.

Taliban special operations ranger/commando/sapper troops doing big time aggravation to an American USMC air field.

Sappers: "Sappers were a type of special forces unit that originated in the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Viet Cong (VC). They were trained to conduct guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and raids, and were known for their expertise in explosives, booby traps, and tunnel warfare."

The VC/NVA had them. And the Taliban did too!

"September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion"

Reminds me of episodes from the era of American involvement the Second Indo-China War.

"The September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion was a Taliban raid on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand province on the night of 14 September 2012. The base hosted British, American, Danish and Tongan military personnel at the time of the attack. The Taliban fighters killed two U.S. Marines and destroyed or severely damaged eight U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers [jump jet] and a United States Air Force C-130 [transport]."

Aftermath:

"The attack was described as 'the worst loss of U.S. airpower in a single incident since the Vietnam War'; the attack caused $200 million USD in damages. Together, the six destroyed and two damaged Harriers constituted six percent of the USMC's inventory. Normal attrition of the USMC's Harrier jets is around two airframes a year. To replace the aircraft lost in the attack, the USMC deployed 14 Harriers to Afghanistan within 36 hours of the raid. [The] entire raiding force was killed or captured."

See various Internet web sites as applicable to the topic:

https://tinyurl.com/yrx5u4ys

https://tinyurl.com/2phrzxe2

https://tinyurl.com/24ef7zvs

coolbert.

Cargo II.

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Herewith an extract, a paragraph from a very recent Strategy Page Internet website article with my commentary!

"Attrition: Russian Casualties Keep Increasing"

"Russia lost more troops in less than a year of fighting in Ukraine than they did during eight years of fighting in Afghanistan during the 1980s."

According to the figures of the American general William Odom, the Red Army in Afghanistan suffered about 20,000 casualties of which about 5,000 were battlefield fatalities, killed-in-action.

The Red Army additionally in Afghanistan had about 300,000 non-battlefield casualties, probably hepatitis from drinking bad water.

Consider that is generally accepted [?] that the Russian army during the Ukraine Conflict in two years of sustained action has had about 500,000 casualties of which about 100,000 are battlefield fatalities.

By my reckoning that means that mortal combat the Ukraine conflict is about 80 times more intense than the experience of the Red Army in Afghanistan. That is very significant without question. That assumes that 500,000 figure is more or less ball park close to being accurate.

Hey, nobody ever said war is going to be easy did they!

coolbert.

Damning.

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IED = Improvised explosive device.

Forensics the battlefield. Fingerprints, gunshot residue, autopsy, stool sample.

"EXCLUSIVE - 65 Afghan terrorists were let into the U.S. after Biden's chaotic withdrawal: Prisoner freed by the Taliban and men who planted IEDs got through dire vetting processes"

From https://www.dailymail.co.uk | story WILLS ROBINSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM | 13 August 2023.

* "Damning new book reveals more failures of the U.S. government in Afghanistan." * "Holes in the vetting process meant national security threats made it to the U.S." "* Taliban fighters identified by an interpreter almost boarded evacuation flights."

"vetting: noun - the act or process of appraising or checking a person or thing for suitability, accuracy, or validity"

"Militants who left fingerprints on IEDs meant to kill Americans in Afghanistan and a prisoner freed by the Taliban were among more than 65 terrorists allowed into the United States after the catastrophic withdrawal."

Comments:

* Taliban sophisticated enough to infiltrate operatives into the USA via the evacuation. Fingerprint analysis taken from battlefield debris tells so.

* About 20 % of those Taliban insurgents captured on the Afghan battlefield HAVING an American arrest record! Thanks again to fingerprints.

* Stool sample taken from Osama bin Laden in the immediate aftermath of his death. I imagine to confirm or deny intelligence that Osama had renal failure and was being treated for same.

See previous blog entries the topic battlefield forensics:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/fingerprints.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/forensics-mokhtar.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/09/csi.html

coolbert.

Continuation.

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Death from above Afghan! Airstrikes Taliban positions Afghan continues. Surreptitiously so!

"Airstrikes On Taliban Positions In Afghanistan Since 2021 - Infographics"

From the Russian controlled [?] Internet web site "South Front" and thanks to same.

Click on infographic to see an enlarged view!

Comments:

* Airstrikes by drone and fixed -wing manned warplanes against Taliban Afghan targets continuing even after insurgent victory, late summer 2021? 

* Airstrikes by American drone and Pakistani warplanes both? Even joint airstrikes? Also add a single instance of Tajik involvement?

Anyone finding continuing foreign military action Afghan in the aftermath of 2021 to be rather extraordinary? 

coolbert.

Restoration.

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If not the warplanes themselves, then the pilots!

Afghan pilots as trained by the USA to the rescue Ukraine? Fact is stranger than fiction?

See previous blog entry Afghan warplanes as were donated by the USA now seeing combat action the Ukraine Conflict.

From the Internet web site "South Front | 30.08.2022. First several paragraphs copied in entirety.

"WASHINGTON RECRUITING AFGHAN PILOTS TO FIGHT IN UKRAINE"

"According to recent reports, the US is recruiting Afghan pilots to fight in Ukraine. The objective would be to restore Ukrainian Air Force troops after the numerous casualties caused by Russian forces during the special military operation. With that, it remains evident that the US wants to prolong the conflict at all costs, even if it is necessary to sacrifice more and more lives."

"In a recent interview, an anonymous source from the US military and diplomatic circles informed Russian media that the Pentagon is running a secret training program for Afghan pilots who allegedly fled the Central Asian country with US forces after the Taliban took Kabul. The combatants would have fought alongside the American occupying troops, which is why they feared punishment from the Taliban government, and for that reason they received asylum in the US."

The "secret" program already in place location somewhere in California!

"South Front" quite brazenly and candidly very pro-Russian and also with an anti-American agenda.

coolbert.

Dispersed.

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Again from the Russian controlled [?] Internet web site www.rt.com.

The Ukraine Conflict the Afghan connection.

"Moscow warns about abandoned US military aircraft"

 16 Aug, 2022. 

"Dozens of aircraft were taken to neighboring countries after the fall of Kabul last year"

"Military aircraft flown out of Afghanistan by fleeing US-backed troops after the Taliban retook the country last year could now slip into Ukraine, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s presidential envoy to Afghanistan, has warned."

Planes as flown by American trained Afghan pilots fleeing the Taliban.

"Russian news agency RIA Novosti asked Kabulov on Tuesday to comment on the fate of the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters that the US originally purchased for the Afghan Armed Forces in the 2010s but ended up delivering to Ukraine in the spring in order to fight Russia."

According to my recollection these Afghan air force warplanes flown to neighboring nations with pilots requesting asylum. Nations on the receiving end of Afghan aircraft to include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, maybe Kazakhstan. Planes not returned to the Taliban have been dispersed in some manner to include a Russian Mi-17 sold to the Ukrainian?

Any nation having it's own weapons used against it extremely galling.

coolbert.

Precise.

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Without a whole lot of elaboration or comment the obituary of Ayman al-Zawahiri. Long time # 2 man Al Qaeda. Second only to Osama bin Laden.

As reported by the New York Times the story by Joby Warrick August 1, 2022.

"Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda leader, killed at 71"

"Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian-born terrorist leader, took over as head of al-Qaeda after the death of Osama bin Laden. Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. strike."

American drone strike Afghan!

"Americans knew him as al-Qaeda’s No. 2 leader, the bespectacled, bushy-bearded deputy to Osama bin Laden. But in reality, it was Ayman al-Zawahiri’s brains and blood-drenched hands that guided the world’s most notorious terrorist movement."

"Zawahiri, 71, was killed in a CIA drone strike in Kabul over the weekend, according to officials familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. In an address to the nation, President Biden confirmed the death and called the attack a 'precision strike' that did not cause civilian casualties."

Hit and done in while sitting on a balcony Kabul. Weapon of choice a Hellfire missile in the "flying ginsu" mode.

Since 9/11 Al Qaeda because of casualties and the lack of leadership much less at the forefront of world terrorism. Affiliates and those drawing inspiration from still going strong however.

coolbert.

Abandoned.

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The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Afghan style. Any port in a storm type of thing?

1. "US-Trained Afghan Spies & Special Forces Are Joining ISIS For 'Protection' Against Taliban"

Thanks you "Zero Hedge" and the article BY TYLER DURDEN.

"Many former national Afghan forces who are now being hunted by the Taliban after their US military backers withdrew from the country in August are turning to the Islamic State for protection"

Presumably Afghan national army troops of the hunter-class. Left in the lurch when the USA abandoned Afghan in the middle of the night!

2. "US-Trained Afghan Soldiers & Spies Joining ISIS Terrorists To ‘Resist’ Taliban – Reports"

"The Taliban has long accused Washington of funding ISIS, and now they’re indirectly right, as a growing number of US-trained Afghan soldiers and intelligence officials are joining the terrorist group’s ranks to fight the Taliban."

1. Resist the Taliban. 2. Protection. Both. Many Afghan army veterans NOT Pashtun and afraid of reprisal. Persons also with valuable skill sets.

See previous blog entries those elite troops of the Afghan national army now flocking [?] to the Islamic State affiliate in conflict with the Taliban:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/09/askari-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/10/zero.html

coolbert.

Calmness

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Consider this within context of recent events that have occurred in Afghan the type of news you do not want  to read. WION News reporting the tip courtesy Freeper.

"Living the American Dream: Son of Afghanistan’s Former Defense Minister Purchases $20.9 Million Mansion in Beverly Hills"

"Known for its ‘modern meets midcentury’ design, the house has been completely newly reconstructed this year and has been designed by the famous architecture firm Woods + Dangaran."

"The house now has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, class-A glassy walls and a breath-taking view of the Downtown LA skyline. The whole house features interiors of unvarnished woods and other similar natural materials to match the muted palette of grey and cream tones throughout the house."

"In the back of the house is an open rectangular pool a few feet away from the house which sends a sense of calmness in the areas"

ROUT and DISASTER in Afghan only compounded by adding INSULT to INJURY? A refugee and man without a country now living the lifestyle of the rich and famous, an existence as very few Americans are ever able to attain!

AND THIS $21 MILLION USD CAME EXACTLY FROM WHERE?

Wars must always be considered as consisting of three distinct stages: 1. Circumstances that led to the war. 2. The fighting of the war itself. The mortal combat. 3. The aftermath with various occurrences and incidents.

coolbert.

Zero.

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From Alex and the original [?] story by the Russian media outlet Sputnik yet one more elite Afghan ranger/commando unit worthy of combat duty and performing the task well.

ZERO.

"CIA Evacuated ‘Extremely Brutal’ Afghan Commandos for US Resettlement"

"Thousands of Afghan fighters suspected in execution-style killings of civilians being brought to US"

"Members of the so-called ‘Zero units’, a shadowy Afghan paramilitary force sponsored and controlled by the US Central Intelligence Agency, enjoyed priority status for evacuation to safety to the United States, former senior US and Afghani intelligence officials and a former Afghan commando with direct knowledge of the situation"

. . . . 

"Zero units were originally envisioned by the CIA partly as a means to fight Taliban fighters travelling back and forth between the porous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The forces allowed the US to send units on cross-border raids"

Specialty of ZERO cross-border raids from Afghan into the Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Seek out and eliminate Pashtun Taliban in what would have been considered a sanctuary area.

See previous blog entry a listing of elite Afghan units that did perform well on the battlefield and are acknowledged as having done so.

coolbert.

O-5.

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O-5: Lieutenant Colonel. Article 134 UCMJ. U.S. Marines. Big time trouble.

From the staff of the World Tribune.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVING MILITARY OFFICER PLACED IN THE BRIG PENDING ARRAINGMENT AND POSSIBLE TRIAL.

"Marines lock up officer who went public on Bagram surrender as generals testify"

"An officer in the U.S. Marines [O-5] who slammed top Pentagon brass for the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan was jailed hours before those leaders were set to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Afghan disaster."

"Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was arrested on Monday and sent to the brig. He is scheduled to appear before a military hearing on Thursday [30 September]"

This field grade officer [usually the rank of a battalion commander] in BIG trouble.

Will be subject to court martial probable conviction. Violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice [UCMJ].

Violations of UCMJ Article 134 more than likely. CONTEMPTUOUS words directed at higher authority. Among the  violations of Article 134 to include: * Offenses involving disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces. * Offenses involving conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

Normally an officer when faced with charges under UCMJ are allowed to resign. Continued Facebook postings by Scheller only critical of higher military authority representing a direct challenge from the ranks that could not be ignored.

coolbert.

Askari II.

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"Building forces in our [USA] own image, especially when the domestic logistics infrastructure will never be as capable, is a recipe for failure.  We should be proud of the elite Afghan forces that we built over our longest war.  They fought respectably and some have refused to give up even though the country to which they swore allegiance no longer exists."

From the Internet web site "Small Wars Journal" an article by Frank Sobchak.

SO WHY DID THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY [ANA] SEEMINGLY GIVE UP MORE OR LESS WITHOUT A FIGHT? GUTLESS COWARDS ONLY THEIR MILITARY DUTY TO BE GIVEN A PAYCHECK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANYTHING ELSE?

And why does the USA military always back the damned loser? Popular and widespread perceptions are wrong? Lots of questions, eh?

"The Afghans that Fought"

"Since the disastrous fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, there have been a continuous series of reports that announce far-reaching observations and conclusions from the conflict.  Two popular narratives are that cowardly Afghan forces collapsed with barely a shot fired and that the U.S. military is incapable of building an effective foreign partner force.  On its face, each judgement would seem to have some threads of truth given the considerable debacle that played out over August 2021.  But the reality is much more complex and requires nuance, something that is challenging in the current American political environment."

From the Small Wars Journal and as described in the article those units of the Afghan military that did perform well [albeit in a final losing cause] include:

* KKA. Counter-terrorism.

* NDS. Intelligence apparently with a direct action capability.

* Afghan Commando. Analogous to American ranger units.

Weakness in the main for all Afghan military seems to be LOGISTICS? Commando for instance self-sufficient and able to operate autonomous for a max of seventy-two hours after which resupply A MUST. Supply chain and logistical support lacking to the extent where if commando in prolonged battle with the Taliban their combat efficiency and capability rapidly diminishes.

COMMANDO EVEN TO THE VERY LAST MOMENT CONTINUED TO FIGHT IN THE MOST DESPERATE OF CIRCUMSTANCES!

"After the fall of Kabul, a group of 500-600 Commandos refused to surrender and assisted US forces in the evacuation process in the Hamid Karzai International Airport."

Think in the American historical context Alamo, Wake Island, Bataan!

Sadly all for naught!

coolbert.

Artifacts.

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How many times has this been a topic for the blog? A treasure of gold of immense value having been lost as a result of war!

Gold treasure as hunted for but seems in all cases [?] never to be found.

As it has been in the past so as it is now in Afghan!

Courtesy the English tabloid Daily Mail.

"Taliban hunts for priceless Bactrian Treasure hoard of 20,000 gold artefacts that date back over 2,000 years after  they went missing during chaotic takeover of Afghanistan"

* "The Bactrian Treasure is one of the largest collections of gold in the world. * Taliban chief says efforts have begun ‘to track and locate’ the priceless pieces. * It contains golden rings, coins earrings, bracelets, necklaces and even weapons."

THE BACTRIAN TREASURE A "NATIONAL TREASURE" OF AFGHAN PRICELESS. ARTIFACTS WORTH FAR MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE GOLD ITSELF.

"national treasure: noun. A person, place, or object that is deemed to be of value to an entire nation, usually due to its cultural significance."

My instantaneous thought [and I hope I am wrong] was the Taliban will DESTROY the artifacts!

The Bactrian Treasure from the Islamic perspective represents jahiliyyah. A concept of a period of ignorance prior to the time before the revelations of Mohammad. Think the statues of the Buddha in the Bamiyan valley and destruction of same.

See additional blog entries [with many additional links] the topic the long-lost gold treasure the military dimension:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/08/minkowskie.html

The image accompanying this blog entry I believe to be a Marco Polo sheep. Ovis polii. Remarkable goldsmithing! 

coolbert.

POSTEX.

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From the Internet web site of our good friend Commander Salamander some more analysis the Afghan defeat.

Devoted readers to the  blog will want to:

1. Read in entirety the Commander's blog entry.

2. See the two-hour CNN program as highlighted.

"Preliminary Commander's POSTEX on Afghanistan"

"CNN’s summary of Sunday’s 2-hr documentary on Afghanistan has some interesting quotes from the commanders – and a few errors – I [Salamander] thought we should start the week out with."

Also consider the various graphics as posted by the Commander. 

These two graphics in particular got my attention right away.

Iraq and Afghan the use of IED [Improvised Explosive Device] by the insurrectionists, the number total compared with those IED effective.

IED as used by the opposition to the allied forces in Iraq. Those effective small with regard to the number ineffective. Ineffective either from allied forces disarming or IED exploding but damage nil to slight. Even at a peak period only about 10 % of IED effective!

IED as used by the opposition to the allied forces in Afghan. So many non-effective! Again, that figure effective around 10 % at peak period of IED usage. IED obviously a threat but must not be over-rated?

Click on all images to see an enlarged view. Excellent graphics too!

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SCUD 9K72.

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More war booty for the Taliban to rejoice over? Some pretty heavy type of ordnance captured but deemed as worthless?

From the Internet web site South Front and thanks to same.

"IN VIDEO: TALIBAN GLAD TO FIND BALLISTIC MISSILES IN PANJSHIR, BUT THEY ARE LIKELY USELESS"

"The Taliban reportedly found elements of the Soviet-made 9K72 Elbrus short-range ballistic missile [SCUD-B] systems, including 8K-14 (R-17) missiles, in the Panjshir Valley."

Missiles including what appears to be a warhead [inert?] just laying around. From the era of the Soviet invasion of Afghan. Missiles probably no longer functional in the open and exposed to the elements for a period of decades! Apparently the Soviet in Afghan did use SCUD to attack fortified military targets using strictly [?] conventional warheads. 

As I recall, the Islamic State also captured intact SCUD with launcher and warheads. Seems to have done them little if any good. But it does make for good Internet video footage.

coolbert.

 

Bagram.

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AS GOES BAGRAM SO GOES THE NATION? AFGHAN THAT IS.

Out go the Americans, in come the Chinese?

My instantaneous thought was Talas, 751 A.D.

Chinese military presence in Central Asia not since the Tang Dynasty now a possible.

1. "China Reportedly Mulls Takeover Of Bagram Air Base After Hasty US Withdrawal"

"The Chinese military is considering a takeover of the former site of the U.S. Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan following President Joe Biden’s hasty withdrawal of troops from the country in late August, according to the U.S. News."

2. "Beijing Looking to Occupy Bagram Airfield via Ruling Taliban: Report"

"The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is looking to deploy personnel and set up a supply route in the formerly U.S.-controlled Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan under the blessings of an established Taliban government, according to a new report."

3. "China May Take Over Abandoned US Air Base After 'Humiliating Defeat' of America: Report"

"The communist nation [China] is reportedly looking to occupy Bagram Air Base, which was recently abandoned by the U.S. and taken over by the Taliban."

Chinese and Taliban hand-in-glove as they say? Strange indeed but geopolitical stratagems and considerations obviously in mind.

See further about Talas. High-water mark of the Tang Empire expansion into Central Asia. Chinese military defeat and withdrawal from the region a significant event in world history.

coolbert.

Hafiz.

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"The specialized unit [Badri 313] operating out of the former Kabul nursery school is named in homage to the Battle of Badr some 1,400 years ago, they say, in which the Prophet Muhammad’s 313-person army clocked a military victory against a much larger Quraysh force"

From the New York Post and the article by Hollie McKay and expose of the Taliban Badri 313 special operations units. Wear American uniforms, carry American weapons, from a distance can pass for an American troop.

"Inside the Taliban’s special forces ‘Suicide Squad’"

"The former school [as now occupied and the headquarters of the Badri 313 unit] now serves as the new base of the Taliban’s elite special forces unit known as Badri 313 or the 'Badri Command.' But it is not only home to the hardest of hard fighters, who roam the grounds clad in camouflage and touting an arsenal of American-made weapons, it is also for those training to become suicide – or martyrdom – bombers too."

Badri 313 not only conventional combat fighters but also those who do suicide missions [wearing a body-vest of explosives]. A potent combination more than anything else demoralizing to the foe.

AND NO SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEERS EVIDENTLY.

This Hafiz the commander. Has he been to Command & General Staff school yet?

coolbert.

Number # 11.

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As extracted from the South Asia Terrorism Portal and thanks to same the article by Ajit Kumar Singh.

Comments on American disaster in Afghan. Understand also an event of considerable interest to the government and security forces [SF] of India. Security Forces generally defined as the combination of military, paramilitary, and police.

"Ignominious Retreat"

From the # 11 Assessment:

Hardly can it be said the Afghan security forces allied with the American military did not fight and die. Consider the period: 2009 - (data till September 4, 2021).. 

"Further at least 68,713 Security Force (SF) personnel, including 4,813 in 2021 alone, have been killed during this period. The number of terrorists killed during this period stands at 115,909, including 19,776 in 2021 alone. The number of SF personnel killed in 2009 was 900 and that of terrorists at 4,610."

Elements of Al Qaeda in Afghan rather more active than I hardly want to believe.

"Al-Qaida is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces, primarily in the eastern, southern and south-eastern regions. Its weekly Thabat newsletter reports on its operations inside Afghanistan. Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operates under Taliban protection from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimruz Provinces."

Regarding AQIS:

"AQIS, is an Islamist militant organization which aims to fight the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Myanmar and Bangladesh"

Listen very closely and you might hear a long and satisfied chuckle from Osama himself? I hate to think so.

coolbert.

Panjshir II.

 

This is coolbert:

From various Russian Internet media outlets.

Fighting in the Panjshir valley continues? Fighting in the Panjshir valley is all over?

The Pashtun Taliban have defeated once and for all the Tajik?

See my previous blog entry Tajik resistance to full and complete Taliban dominion in Afghan.

1. "Afghan resistance rejects Taliban claims of gaining ‘full control’ of Panjshir province"

2. "‘War has ended’ in Afghanistan, Taliban says, despite resistance’s claims that Panjshir Valley is still not lost"

3. "Afghan Resistance Forces Accuse Pakistan of Providing Air, Ground Support to the Taliban in Panjshir"

Afghan a tribal nation now and has always been so. A strong central government never has worked in Afghan and probably never will. Pashtun heavy-handed rule will only result in civil war and further destruction. Even if the Tajik defeated NOW, don't count on them and other groups  going out quietly.

coolbert.

Incredulous.

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For such a powerful and distinguished American Senator to have even suggested such a thing seems ridiculous to me. Preposterous even. But it seems to be so. 

From the Russian Internet media outlet Sputnik:

1. "US Troops 'Will Be Going Back Into Afghanistan': Lindsey Graham"

"Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has been ramping up calls to impeach US President Joe Biden over the hectic troop pullout from Afghanistan, insisting that the 'derelict' commander-in-chief had 'ignored sound advice' in relation to the withdrawal operation."

"Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) believes that American troops will return to Afghanistan despite the chaotic military withdrawal from the country that was completed on 30 August."

Presumably the presence of American military forces in Afghan would to aid and enable the Taliban to defeat remnants of Islamic State Khorasan and Al Qaeda still present in Afghan.

Special operations [USA] combat elements guiding drone air strikes a possible??

Also see from the Internet web site Anti-War.

2. "Taliban Declare Do Not Want American Help in Fighting ISIS — Afghan Civilians Breathe a Sigh of Relief"

"Probably a lot safer for Afghan civilians this way"

Anti-War is referring to those drone strikes with Afghan civilians killed!

coolbert.