- Ross Wilson, the acting U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, referring to Americans remaining after August 31st..
Link: U.S. involvement in Afghanistan "doesn't end" on August 31, ambassador says
I heard Secretary Blinken's address today. I was impressed.
Although criticism is warranted for initially getting caught flat footed for failing to gameplan Afghanistan folding so quickly, this Administration has continued to "work the problem" under very difficult conditions.
The reality is that they have to negotiate with the Taliban, but the United States has also brought in over 100 nations to make clear to the Taliban what is expected. Certainly not an ideal audience, but the Taliban has some "keeping it real" practical long term consequences at stake, if they don't play nice in the sandbox, even after 8/31.
One of the biggest obstacles is reaching Americans and Afghan friends who are not in or near Kabul. It was indeed a preventable problem. But, let's hope the United States continues to pull out of this shit sandwich.
So many here will be disappointed that it has not turned into an utter catastrophe. You know who you are.
nobody, absolutely nobody, will ever trust the united states again - including our own citizens. this is not a definition of clear progress.
what a total, global, disastrous disgrace by the 'pro team'.
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what they perceive to be the Biden team.
Sad people.
There is not 6 days, as you know. Military needs time to button up and get themselves out after civilians have left.
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People know a shit show when they see one. Americans told tonight/morning to evacuate Kabul airport due to security concerns.
If Biden knew this chaos would ensue, as he himself said, what should be done?
Meanwhile, experienced talented professionals kept working the problem. And their efforts have been productive.
The optics have been brutal. People have died amidst the chaos. There is plenty of justified criticism attributable to the Biden Administration. It could still go terribly bad.
But, it has thus far turned out better than we thought.
They have airlifted 80k out of Kabul in a short time. Not too bad.
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Maybe they should have listened.
Last estimate I saw is that there are 1500 Americans left there. How they know that, I dunno. But there is still a week to get them out.
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Those who bet on the Afghan government and stayed would still be shit out of luck then or we would have to re-intervene.
An instantaneous mass evacuation would.
You love giving your allies an excuse not to defend themselves by posting nonsense to draw fire.
Since the conversation is over, I'll just leave this here, since it is kind of funny and appropriate. Earlier, Chris was saying there was no better way to do it.
It was never going to be good. It was only a mater how bad it would be.
They were given good advice and knew our troops would be leaving by the end of this month.
But yeah, it’s Joes fault that they didn’t do anything to get out in those 4 months.
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Try to stay on topic? I thought you may be referring the Afghan army and their sudden collapse.
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