14 Fucking Years And We Get This Headline? - Afghanistan's security on the brink of collapse

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/afghanistans-security-on-the-brink-of-collapse/a-18532096

The Taliban attacks on the Afghan parliament and the northern city of Kunduz are a reflection of the fragile security situation prevailing in the country. DW examines.

Afghanistan's security on the brink of collapse
Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi
22.06.2015

Screams, smoke and smashed windows - a shocking video of the attack on the Afghan parliament is making rounds on social media. The television footage shows what happened inside the building at the time of the attack on June 22. A huge explosion rocked the parliament complex as Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi was about to read out his welcome address.

The MP initially tried to calm lawmakers, saying "it's an electrical issue." Parliamentarians, however, already switched into a panic mode as Ibrahimi was escorted out of the building.

Images like these illustrate the extent of insecurity plaguing the war-torn South Asian nation. In fact, lawmakers had assembled for a general meeting to vote on a new defense minister, a position that has not been filled since President Ashraf Ghani took office over a year ago.

~snip~

But many Afghan analysts, including General Wahid Taqat, doubt the reinforcements will be enough. The security expert and former member of the Afghan intelligence agency told DW the Afghan government simply cannot stem the violence in the north.

[bemildred]

1. It was always bullshit. nt

[jakeXT]

2. It could create headaches for Moscow and Bejing if it spreads /nt

[bemildred]

3. I think it already is. nt

[bemildred]

10. At least 18 dead in attack in China's Xinjiang: Radio Free Asia

BEIJING: At least 18 people are dead after ethnic Uighurs attacked police with knives and bombs at a traffic checkpoint in China's western Xinjiang region, Radio Free Asia reported on Wednesday.

The attack occurred Monday in a district of the southern city of Kashgar, where tensions between Muslim Uighurs that call the region home and the majority Han Chinese have led to bloodshed in recent years.

Suspects killed several police officers with knives and bombs after speeding through a traffic checkpoint in a car in Kashgar's Tahtakoruk district, U.S.-based Radio Free Asia said, citing Turghun Memet, an officer at a nearby police station.

Armed police responded to the attack and killed 15 suspects "designated as terrorists," Radio Free Asia cited Memet as saying.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2015/Jun-24/303537-at-least-18-dead-in-attack-in-chinas-xinjiang-radio-free-asia.ashx

[MisterP]

11. that was the whole purpose in Afghanistan--even under Ford and Carter

FORD

[jakeXT]

12. Dusting off the old playbook, nothing new under the sun

Last edited Wed Jun 24, 2015, 06:35 PM - Edit history (1)

[MisterP]

13. the worst part is that the higher-ups and their top-level backers may be all for "manufacturing

Last edited Wed Jun 24, 2015, 05:13 PM - Edit history (1)

unrest" to sell more bullets ... but from desk jockeys and merc trainers up to Cheney and Rummy they genuinely believe that what they're doing will bring victory and then a century of peace after, uh, 3 to 6 months: that's the timing they gave in Vietnam, in Nicaragua, and in Iraq; it's like that chair scene over and over

[liberal N proud]

4. Afghanistan was always nothing more than a trap

Look what it did to Russia and nearly did to this country.

So many died for a sham, there is no way to build a nation out of that pile of rock.

[GeorgeGist]

9. Your 'nearly did' assumes facts not in evidence.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. "The place where empires go to die." We never seem to learn......

..... that we never seem to learn.

[Nay]

8. Yep, but no new swinging dick thinks that phrase applies to him. It's pretty typical. nt

[SamKnause]

6. Maybe it is time to fire the military

brass that got us into this debacle in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It seems no matter the trillions spent the military brass sucks

at training foreign forces.

Maybe we should sue the war profiteers ???

They have stirred up so many shit storms we will never get out of.

Maybe we shouldn't invade countries that have not attacked us.

The Pentagon is robbing the tax payers blind.

The corrupt U.S. government is a sick, twisted, evil, joke.

[jakeXT]

7. Nato's article 5, the gift that keeps on giving

http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2001/1001/e1002a.htm

[bemildred]

14. Karzai Hails Deepening Russian-Afghan Ties

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai praised "blossoming" relations between Kabul and Moscow on Thursday during a visit to the Russian capital as the standoff between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis continues and the Kremlin increasingly looks toward Asia.

Karzai, who remains politically active despite stepping down as Afghan president last year after almost a decade in office, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

"We have entered a new sort of relationship with Russia," Karzai told reporters the day after the meeting in the Kremlin. "And that relationship is now blossoming."

Russia is building links with Kabul as the withdrawal of Western troops raises regional security concerns amid reports of militants proclaiming their loyalty to feared terrorist organization the Islamic State, based out of Iraq and Syria, and fears of a power vacuum in war-torn Afghanistan, which has witnessed a recent spike in violence.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/karzai-hails-deepening-russian-afghan-ties/524451.html

[KoKo]

16. Fascinating isn't it?

Is Nuland's head exploding? This is from Moscow Times and might be a bit of hyperbole.....but, still ...since we are crashing & burning in the ME...could it be too far off?

BTW: No one seemed to comment on the Charlie Rose interview with Putin here in "FA's"

I didn't understand why that was?

[KoKo]

15. 14 Fucking Years...

Can we Believe?