Mattis makes surprise visit to Kabul for talks on Taliban peace process

[Peter1469]

Let me see if I can grasp this. You are suggesting we poison the water in the region and make the claim that unless we're willing to do that then we're "not serious about eliminating the Taliban" and it's I who has it backwards?



Tell you what, Pete. That "my advise only meant" thing up there in your post......I'm going to go ahead and dismiss that absolute f'n nonsense like I did your nuclear weapon suggestion in Syria. Ok? I'm gonna go ahead and take what you "advocate" and file it in the round file just off to the corner of the door, where I've got two walls to bank shot your award winners in the industrial sized dumpster necessary for this forum.

Nail on the head accurate as usual Peter, carry on with your poison the water themes. I'm enjoying this and making nachos for football this afternoon. Got my yard all looking good....and what is this.....a hurricane on the way?

No. I suggest that we leave.

I am telling you how to win since you want to stay.

[gamewell45]

Mattis makes surprise visit to Kabul for talks on Taliban peace process

Several factions of the Taliban are interested in the peace process. Others will do so only after Western forces leave Afghanistan. One this is clear, the Taliban is going to be part of any future government. They represent ~40% of the population and the largest tribe. Their big negative is that most of this tribe live outside of the major cities.



Read the rest at the link.

It would be nice if we could pull our troops out of Afghanistan; historically the tribes there have always fought with each other for whatever the reason; the Soviets found out that the tribes couldn't be westernized after being there for around 10 years; 17 years of US presence has cost us close to 1,900 troops killed in action and not accomplished much as well.

Hopefully Mattis can broker a deal for peace and work out a deal for US Troops to leave sooner then later. Let the tribes continue to fight and kill each other instead of US troops.

[Ransom]

No. I suggest that we leave.

I am telling you how to win since you want to stay.

You're...withdrawing...your poison the fresh water suggestion then?

[Standing Wolf]

You're...withdrawing...your poison the fresh water suggestion then?

R, when I read Peter's "suggestion" about poisoning the water, I immediately saw it as him presenting an unthinkable, even crazy example of what would have to be done in order to successfully - if that's even the appropriate word here - eliminate the Taliban and continue to try to create a Western-style democracy where one has never existed and likely never will. He was not offering it as a serious suggestion; I don't understand how you could possibly think that was the case.

[Peter1469]

You're...withdrawing...your poison the fresh water suggestion then?

I am asking whether you want to win or leave.

Answer.

[Ransom]

R, when I read Peter's "suggestion" about poisoning the water, I immediately saw it as him presenting an unthinkable, even crazy example of what would have to be done in order to successfully - if that's even the appropriate word here - eliminate the Taliban and continue to try to create a Western-style democracy where one has never existed and likely never will. He was not offering it as a serious suggestion; I don't understand how you could possibly think that was the case.

I'm glad you agree it would be unthinkable, how much of a suggestion it was left open to interpretation. Finally, no one is trying to install a western style democracy in Iraq. But thanks.

[Peter1469]

I'm glad you agree it would be unthinkable, how much of a suggestion it was left open to interpretation. Finally, no one is trying to install a western style democracy in Iraq. But thanks.

You don't know what you are talking about.

[Ransom]

We are supporting the Afghan elected government in Afghanistan. Not trying to install 'western style' democracies, not trying to govern Afghanistan. We're not going to allow the Taliban to rule Afghanistan. Period. Afghanistan can determine its' own outcomes, but one of them ain't the Taliban running the country. Is any good Neocon's position at these peace processes.

[Peter1469]

We are supporting the Afghan elected government in Afghanistan. Not trying to install 'western style' democracies, not trying to govern Afghanistan. We're not going to allow the Taliban to rule Afghanistan. Period. Afghanistan can determine its' own outcomes, but one of them ain't the Taliban running the country. Is any good Neocon's position at these peace processes.

At some point in time, the Taliban is going to be part of the government. No other tribe has stronger support from the people.

[donttread]

It is long past time.

We could have largely left Afghanistan after the Taliban initially fell and left hunter-killer teams to hunt for bin Laden and the remaining al Qaeda units (most of which where in Pakistan by that time.

Nation building and introducing democracy to a tribal people was mission creep- and futile.

Wasn't our prime initial concern ALQ?