Locate, lock on target, fire.
1
He looks as charming as the last one-- and the next.
1
This is so easy. Wd do the HUMINT and the SIGINT, identify the car he is riding in somewhere ij the desert and death from above as the drone fires the Hellfire Missile.
1
He may have difficulty obtaining life insurance.
2
The President has ordered and carried out the assassination of the Taliban's leader, yet has proclaimed the war in Afghanistan has 'ended'. What are the Taliban to make of the U.S. attack on their leadership? How is this helping to 'end' a war?
1
Interesting but there's only one salient point. It doesn't matter if he's the author of the book, "He Called Me Mawlawi", or that he's very religious, or anything asides from one fact: he is not interested in negotiating for peace.
Thus he must be cratered. Eventually there will be a Taliban leader who will be interested in peace, one not so dense that he can't realize a peace treaty will mean no more foreign troops on their precious soil. Either that or the water will run out and this will all be moot. Until then we can just keep detonating their leaders.
Thus he must be cratered. Eventually there will be a Taliban leader who will be interested in peace, one not so dense that he can't realize a peace treaty will mean no more foreign troops on their precious soil. Either that or the water will run out and this will all be moot. Until then we can just keep detonating their leaders.
3
If Haibatullah, the new Taliban leader, is really a leader, he would do well fight the current government's corrupted ways, not by causing further violence against innocent people, but by sitting at the table, and try to resolve an institutionalized violence by rational means. A long shot, for sure, but worth a try.
1
The choice for Habibullah, a former judicial official and a cleric, suggests that not only the Taliban wanted to avoid further divisions in its ranks which was inevitable in the choice for either the Haqqani network leader Sirajuddin, or Mullah Yaqub, but also wanted to keep the whole succession issue a low key affair away from limelight.
1
You can pick them off one by one but you can't do away with all and there will always be someone to rise from the ranks. You create martyrs and martyrdom affirms the faith, not discourage. Islam is at war against itself and all considered 'infidels', everyone who falls outside their narrow sectarian views.
"Jihadist states are complex polities and must be understood in the context of Islamic history.” ~ David Motadel, a historian at the University of Cambridge
And that war, a religious war, has been raging since the prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE.
Jihad is an obligation. The word jihād is an Arabic noun meaning the act of "striving, applying oneself, struggling, persevering".
Jihadists are "a people who love death 'like you love life,' as another Islamic State video aimed at France had it" wrote Timothy Egan in The Civilized and the Damned after the November 2015 massacre in Paris, an observation to be heeded.
Not to be forgotten, Afghanistan is known as the "Graveyard of Empires".
"Jihadist states are complex polities and must be understood in the context of Islamic history.” ~ David Motadel, a historian at the University of Cambridge
And that war, a religious war, has been raging since the prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE.
Jihad is an obligation. The word jihād is an Arabic noun meaning the act of "striving, applying oneself, struggling, persevering".
Jihadists are "a people who love death 'like you love life,' as another Islamic State video aimed at France had it" wrote Timothy Egan in The Civilized and the Damned after the November 2015 massacre in Paris, an observation to be heeded.
Not to be forgotten, Afghanistan is known as the "Graveyard of Empires".
2
Why no drone strike directly on the Taliban nominating convention? Either we are at war, or we are not.
The world is on the verge of insanity.
The Taliban have anointed a religious scholar as leader.
The Israelis call themselves the "Holy Land".
G.W. Bush called our military a Christian force.
Do you see the rising danger to the world?
The Taliban have anointed a religious scholar as leader.
The Israelis call themselves the "Holy Land".
G.W. Bush called our military a Christian force.
Do you see the rising danger to the world?
2
The "rising danger" is not religion, which is simply peoples' attempts to recognize, and categorize, and (ultimately) relate to some sort of superior Being Whom they believe created all things. The danger is that some (I repeat: SOME) people insist that they know all about this Being and what He/She/It wants from us on this infinitesimally small rock in the unimaginable vastness of space. That is the rub - if I know God, and you do not agree, then you do NOT know God and you are wrong and need to be corrected or obliterated. Religion is certainly not the only dividing line between us humans - it seems to be part of our very nature to distrust and dislike the "other." THAT is what the danger is and always has been.
1
It is comforting knowing that Islam is a "religion of peace". This article really bears that out.
3
Just as it is comforting to remember that the Inquisition was a good-hearted attempt to "persuade" Jews and other non-Christians to accept the Prince of Peace. Come on, JP - I hope that you are sophisticated enough to recognize that individuals do not always represent their faith / political party / school / town/ whatever.
Sounds like a drone "to do" list to me. Let's hope.
6
Judging by the picture I would say he already has the drone up his posterior. Wouldn't you think they would keep the details of their wire diagram secret since announcing something in public puts the crosshairs directly on this guy?
2
For every Taliban leader we kill, there are hundreds in line to fill the vacant position. The drone policy only increase the bad will of the 1.5 billion Moslem population in the world. We are going to run out of drones long before any progress can be expected.
2
Not necessarily......how many will be lining up to take over if we kill the next 10 who do?
The drone killed a figurehead. This guy is a figurehead. The actual leadership is in Islamabad.
Whack a mole on endless loop until the US is willing to confront the right enemy.
Whack a mole on endless loop until the US is willing to confront the right enemy.
2
The Taliban exist and continues to exist because the people of Afghanistan exist. By and large, and deep down, the core beliefs of the average Kabul resident is not that strikingly different than your average Taliban. I'm reminded of the woman who was brutally beaten by a mob of civilians when rumors of her having insulted the Koran spread quickly among the locals. What kind of society reacts in such a way? And this after ten years of American presence trying to teach Western values for respect of women and tolerance. There comes a point when one just has to accept that it's the people's will that they deserve the government they want. This really is Viet Nam being played out all over again. We are supporting a corrupt government. The people really have no interest (or are apathetic) in Western style values of democracy. And our "friends" the Pakistanis want a Pashtun Taliban to give them proxy control and influence with their Afghan neighbor.
4
May he soon meet heelfire!
Did we do Taliban a favor?
2
The Middle East moo-oo-slum terrorist version of a dead man walking!
Gimme that old time religion, gimme that old time religion, gimme that old time religion, it's good enough for me....c'mon everybody sing...Gimme that old time religion......
Helping make The Taliban Great Again
Helping make The Taliban Great Again
Does anyone wonder where these degenerate army of thugs and losers, who don't know the right end of an accounting statement, are running this insurgency? Who is funding them?
Were we serious about this, we would act on our knowledge of who is funding them. First, it is the Pakistani army (whom we are indirectly funding, arming, cajoling, mollycoddling, helping). Second, it is a network of Arab donors (whom we are refusing to identify and eliminate). A lot of our 'engagement' is paying bad guys not to shoot at us, getting into bed with complete sociopaths, Then we flood the area with arms (ISIS is driving our tanks and humvees), left behind by the little children we call our allies. Yes I read the explanations from pointy heads; they don't know what they are talking about.
We are analogous to a smoker with a drug habit, a cozy relationship with our pushers, paying someone else to work out on our behalf, paying drug dealers to be nice to us, and sending our children out in the cold darkness to fix the problem, while we are content reading health magazines. Like we think Pakistan is our ally! And then we talk about this army of sociopaths, the Taliban, the Pakistanis, the Emirates, and Saudis, as if they are misunderstood heroes.
There is something deeply wrong with us. 'Absurd' does not begin to describe our policy or action. 'Criminal' comes close.
Let them rot. Please get our girls and boys out of there.
Kalidan
Were we serious about this, we would act on our knowledge of who is funding them. First, it is the Pakistani army (whom we are indirectly funding, arming, cajoling, mollycoddling, helping). Second, it is a network of Arab donors (whom we are refusing to identify and eliminate). A lot of our 'engagement' is paying bad guys not to shoot at us, getting into bed with complete sociopaths, Then we flood the area with arms (ISIS is driving our tanks and humvees), left behind by the little children we call our allies. Yes I read the explanations from pointy heads; they don't know what they are talking about.
We are analogous to a smoker with a drug habit, a cozy relationship with our pushers, paying someone else to work out on our behalf, paying drug dealers to be nice to us, and sending our children out in the cold darkness to fix the problem, while we are content reading health magazines. Like we think Pakistan is our ally! And then we talk about this army of sociopaths, the Taliban, the Pakistanis, the Emirates, and Saudis, as if they are misunderstood heroes.
There is something deeply wrong with us. 'Absurd' does not begin to describe our policy or action. 'Criminal' comes close.
Let them rot. Please get our girls and boys out of there.
Kalidan
2
Couldn't agree more.
2
Like the FARK headline put it:
"Taliban announce new drone strike target".
"Taliban announce new drone strike target".
3
The man appears to have been elected in a democratic election, so what are we going to do now, kill him in a cowardly drone strike?
We kill their religious leaders, we kill their political leaders, we kill their military leaders, we kill their foot soldiers, we show up at their homes in the middle of the night, knock down the door, drag out the men, beat them, detain them, jail them, destroy their economy, and then, when the dust has settled, we expect them to just give up?
The Taliban are winning, how can Obama expect them to sue for peace?
We kill their religious leaders, we kill their political leaders, we kill their military leaders, we kill their foot soldiers, we show up at their homes in the middle of the night, knock down the door, drag out the men, beat them, detain them, jail them, destroy their economy, and then, when the dust has settled, we expect them to just give up?
The Taliban are winning, how can Obama expect them to sue for peace?
I am glad the Taliban chose a new leader, I hope he can deliver on his promisse of universal healthcare, better schools, more jobs, attracting new companies with tax breaks and... death to America. Oh, the banality of evil.
2
Who knows why and how the previous leader died. He may really have been the victim of an internal battle for power and they used our action as a cover. I don't have a lot of faith in the we killed this one we killed that one reports.
We need to let these guys burn out on their own. We need to boycott Saudi Arabia and the rest and we need to focus on our own people. It's way past time to do some nation building here!
We need to let these guys burn out on their own. We need to boycott Saudi Arabia and the rest and we need to focus on our own people. It's way past time to do some nation building here!
2
Just Buy More Predators and get them Operational!
1
Stop War in Afghanistan
2
A good example of why the whole mess in Afghanistan is something we need to get out of. Wasn't it obvious as soon as Obama announced that we'd killed the Taliban leader that a new one would pop up immediately?
Some problems we cannot shoot and kill our way out of.
Some problems we cannot shoot and kill our way out of.
Here's wishing that Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, doesn't make it to his 60s. Killing leaders of a enemy group is an acceptable military and political strategy; one the US pursued aggressively in past wars - such as in WWII when US Army planes deliberately shot down Admiral Yamamoto's plane in the Solomon Islands. No one expects this killing to end the war; rather it is meant to be disruptive and demoralizing. Just because the killed leader can be replaced is not evidence of poor policy.
There was a time when this strategy - kill the other guys' leaders - was considered bad form. Gen. Lee would never have targeted Gen. Grant.; and men gave their seats to women too (imagine?). But some enemies simply don't deserve that consideration; particularly leaders of a unsparingly murderous organization as is the Taliban. They are enemy - kill them all.
There was a time when this strategy - kill the other guys' leaders - was considered bad form. Gen. Lee would never have targeted Gen. Grant.; and men gave their seats to women too (imagine?). But some enemies simply don't deserve that consideration; particularly leaders of a unsparingly murderous organization as is the Taliban. They are enemy - kill them all.
Kill them all.
Turn the desert into glass. Make it glow.
The women and children, too. And the grandmothers.
Listen to yourself.
Turn the desert into glass. Make it glow.
The women and children, too. And the grandmothers.
Listen to yourself.
1
Although he never should have allowed Mr. Assad to
get off the hook, President Obama has had the good
common sense to widely employ drones against terrorist barbarians. Historians of the future will say of him that the great mistake of his presidency was discovering his core neoconservative beliefs too late.
get off the hook, President Obama has had the good
common sense to widely employ drones against terrorist barbarians. Historians of the future will say of him that the great mistake of his presidency was discovering his core neoconservative beliefs too late.
2
The Taliban just have to keep fighting a few more and the US will give up and go home in defeat like the Soviets did. Invading Afghanistan is never a good idea.
1
May I ask why we didn't take advantage of this council to drop a bomb on the whole lot of these guys, or is that not politically correct?
1
Yes, I would imagine that Taliban HR recruiters would have a tough time filling this position. When the applicant asks what the career path looks like, and it typically ends in early death, there's really not enough stock options to make this an attractive move.
Death is not the problem for them. They are different from us.
I find it amazing that all these Taliban leaders can meet (and live) in Pakistan without any fear for their safety. How Pakistan can be considered an ally is beyond me. The US should have bombed Quetta while the Taliban were meeting.
1
Another murderous fanatic will be in the crosshairs of the killing machine. Sadly
a drone often leaves innocent victims in its wake.
a drone often leaves innocent victims in its wake.
If he is truly a religious scholar, he should know what Taliban did is wrong. Time will tell if he is a puppet of anyone. If not, he might want to come to the negotiation table and end the Afghanistan's bloodshed. Then, and only then, he will reveal himself as a true scholar of Islam
Oh please!
1
"a true scholar of Islam" is the last thing the world needs. How about a civilized, forward-looking human being. This PC insistence that Islam is a religion of peace is wearing thin.
Great. A kinder, gentler terrorist. I can sleep easy tonight.
10
These guys will implode as they fight for power. They invoke their religious commitments and their tribal loyalties while divvying up the spoils of war. They are a pathetic crowd. But our foreign policy just creates more and more of them.
4
Are you referring to all the US policy that discourages abortion and birth control?
4
Steve: Abortion is not birth control. Birth control occurs before abortion is necessary. No one that I know of is against birth control at all.
1
We keep on playing whack-a-mole, no end in sight. Great way to spend our tax dollars. Especially when we are wanting to cut taxes, reduce help for seniors by reducing Medicare and Social Security, and watch our infrastructure continue to crumble. Whack-a-mole is an endless game because there is always another mole that pops up. Is our treasury endless? It better be if this is our strategy.
2
On a facitious note, Vietnam was the last war in which there was a "war bonus". Such has never accured as a result of Bush's ill fated adverturism, saving the oil companies and some --- repeat some -- of the defense establishment.
3
Wars provide no bonus! It only provided sorrow and destruction. And for what?
It's great training. Keep the sword sharp so to speak.
"Lacks Military Experience"
Don't see why that should be a problem. Neither one of the presumptive candidates to lead our country has any military experience, and we are constantly at war. Could any country be more war-like than we are?
1. First to use a nuclear weapon.
2. More war ships than any other nation.
3. More manned military aircraft than any other nation.
4. First to develop working drones.
5. Number one seller of military hardware in the world.
6. Refused to sign agreements on the use of land mines.
7. Dumped cancer causing chemicals on civilians.
8. Likewise, Napalm.
9. You get captured by our forces? Forget it!
And the last leader we had with any really serious military experience was Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Don't see why that should be a problem. Neither one of the presumptive candidates to lead our country has any military experience, and we are constantly at war. Could any country be more war-like than we are?
1. First to use a nuclear weapon.
2. More war ships than any other nation.
3. More manned military aircraft than any other nation.
4. First to develop working drones.
5. Number one seller of military hardware in the world.
6. Refused to sign agreements on the use of land mines.
7. Dumped cancer causing chemicals on civilians.
8. Likewise, Napalm.
9. You get captured by our forces? Forget it!
And the last leader we had with any really serious military experience was Dwight D. Eisenhower.
3
And Ike warned us about the situation we currently have. The Military Industrial Complex. It has taken over in too many ways. But Peter, you forgot the real number one. The world's largest military budget.
7
Well, the Taliban are engaged in a bitter war with the current Afghan government, the American military, and various other actors. So that's kind of their thing right now, you know?
3
Please don't neglect the essential role of Wayne LaPierre's well regulated militia in defense of the homeland.
1
Middle Eastern wars never went after the boss the way we just did but rather his many deputies and harems. It made him isolated, lonely, without any power, but he never ended up in 7th heaven.
2
We should watch this Mullah Akhund and give him about six months to come to the peace table or else take him out. We have the technical capacity to get these guys when ever we want. It is the political will and decisive acts only that will convince these terrorists to come to the table. Once they know that Pakistan is not going to be able to hide or protect them even in Quetta and that there is an open season on them, that will bring them to the peace table.
Really? If we did have that technical capacity, why didn't we whack them all when they met to appoint this new guy?
1
They probably can outlast you.
Really.
From yesterday's story:
"senior Taliban leaders have convened in the Pakistani city of Quetta to deliberate how to replace a dead supreme leader."
The top leadership of the Taliban holds a convention in a major city of our main "ally" in the conflict??? I guess our vaunted intelligence community didn't spot the "Welcome Terrorizers" signs at the local hotels.
No wonder we lost this war a long time ago.
From yesterday's story:
"senior Taliban leaders have convened in the Pakistani city of Quetta to deliberate how to replace a dead supreme leader."
The top leadership of the Taliban holds a convention in a major city of our main "ally" in the conflict??? I guess our vaunted intelligence community didn't spot the "Welcome Terrorizers" signs at the local hotels.
No wonder we lost this war a long time ago.
Let's face it, these extremist religious terrorist groups are never going to stop until people become extinct. Many parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa are poor, backward, hyper religious, overpopulated, male dominated regions with scarce resources, which rejects secularism, pluralism, Western values and education, and female emancipation (women in these regions have minimal to no rights over their bodies or their fate) and these groups (including but not limited to the Taliban, Islamic State, Boka Haram, and Al Queda) are fighting against Western intrusion (including America's invasion and Western values) and tribal and cultural conflicts. I repeat, this will never end until there is a global pandemic or an apocalypse, which wipes out the majority of people on the planet.
5
Appears that the main factor behind the choice was a leader whom the Taliban will not miss if he is wiped out be a drone, perhaps protecting those who run the day to day operations and plan their attacks.
7
So basically not much has changed. One homicidal bearded fanatic has been replaced by another, the main difference being that this new dude has a stock photo that's at least in focus. This guy doesn't want peace either, so my suggestion would be, crater him. If his replacement doesn't want to negotiate either, crater him too.
As soon as one of these wackos steps into the smoking shoes of leadership and announces that he wants to negotiate a peaceful settlement, then we should do that, cede them some of the worthless, desiccated, doomed land of Afghanistan, let them carry out their medieval, misogynistic culture there.
Until that time, we should keep detonating these fanatics until we can't find any more.
As soon as one of these wackos steps into the smoking shoes of leadership and announces that he wants to negotiate a peaceful settlement, then we should do that, cede them some of the worthless, desiccated, doomed land of Afghanistan, let them carry out their medieval, misogynistic culture there.
Until that time, we should keep detonating these fanatics until we can't find any more.
14
A cleric, eh? More or less reasonable than a military guy? Maybe they want to pick a negotiator this time? Doubtful....
3
Looks they want to vote and be inclusive which is something like democracy. Somehow they need to travel a path out of war and have a chance at life and stop committing sins of violence against others.
2
He must have run under a "Make The Taliban Great Again" slogan.
25
Bet he won't build a wall.
2
No, he was the 'Taliban Future To Believe In Death For America' candidate.
1
Like in all organizations there are always many people in it just waiting for their chance to be the boss. Just going after the current leader is a failed strategy.
3
I think you're right, Monsieur, we would do far better by striving to eliminate all 35,000 of their fighters. Ideally within a month or so.
3
They got a new leader set up in 4 days, and he is probably better than his predecessor.
We are confusing their system with our system, where choosing a new leader takes two years, and our leaders keep getting worse and worse.
It costs their society zero advertising dollars to select a new leader - so exactly what did we gain?
And more to the point, how many millions do these assignations cost us? Is there any benefit, other than getting to use the fancy equipment, that our Military Industrial Complex keeps on turning out?
We need Peace, not dubious military spending programs programs that suck the life out of our economy.
We just found out that we love the North Vietnamese torturers - can't we love Afghani cutthroats just the same? Let's make a deal and move on.
We are confusing their system with our system, where choosing a new leader takes two years, and our leaders keep getting worse and worse.
It costs their society zero advertising dollars to select a new leader - so exactly what did we gain?
And more to the point, how many millions do these assignations cost us? Is there any benefit, other than getting to use the fancy equipment, that our Military Industrial Complex keeps on turning out?
We need Peace, not dubious military spending programs programs that suck the life out of our economy.
We just found out that we love the North Vietnamese torturers - can't we love Afghani cutthroats just the same? Let's make a deal and move on.
11
You make a good point. We could knock this guy off too, and the one after him, and the one after him etc. We're pretty good at that. But, the US making a deal with the Taliban would fail, because of the different systems you mention. Any deal must be between the Taliban and the Afghanis, Pakistanis etc. We could probably help facilitate it, but that's really about it. That's why all the politicians' talk about "defeating" groups like the Taliban is really nonsense.
2
In that line of thinking, since Mr Obama wants to empty out Guantanamo because it helps recruit more terrorists, why not repatriate the remaining 'enemy combatants' with their Al-Qaeda and Taliban brothers in arms from about 30-35,000'?
After all, each one of those detained as well as the members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have sworn to die for Islam. Would this not be seen as a gesture of peace?
After all, each one of those detained as well as the members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have sworn to die for Islam. Would this not be seen as a gesture of peace?
Obama did it on the eve of his visit to Hanoi,Vietnam. Can't believe we will embrace a repressive regime known for human rights abuses. We should respect our rhetoric on human rights. Our credibility is in tatters.
The graveyard of short-sighted empires. If the Taliban wait long enough, the endless wars aimed at them will diminish the power of the empire. That is why they still fight. They are waiting for signs of the end. With the current political climate in the U.S., they must feel encouraged.
@Margaret,
My guess is that world economics is not on top of the agenda for the daily prayer meetings.
You can't beat the Taliban in a traditional fashion because they have nothing. No infrastructure, no culture, no civilians who can protest. Only solution is total war, but that would most likely just shift the fanatics to a new geographical area, even if such a strategy were to get support in a democracy.
Keep destabilizing please and keep them from consolidating! The world in general is getting more and more educated, which leaves less space for bronze age mythology to brainwash people into suicide. Give it a few more generations and religion as we know it is gone.
My guess is that world economics is not on top of the agenda for the daily prayer meetings.
You can't beat the Taliban in a traditional fashion because they have nothing. No infrastructure, no culture, no civilians who can protest. Only solution is total war, but that would most likely just shift the fanatics to a new geographical area, even if such a strategy were to get support in a democracy.
Keep destabilizing please and keep them from consolidating! The world in general is getting more and more educated, which leaves less space for bronze age mythology to brainwash people into suicide. Give it a few more generations and religion as we know it is gone.
good. Now we should take out the guy they just named as his replacement.
and drop leaflets saying "Next?"
you'd pretty quickly thin out the line of folks willing to step up into the 'big shoes'.
and drop leaflets saying "Next?"
you'd pretty quickly thin out the line of folks willing to step up into the 'big shoes'.
1
The U.S. has been in that country for over 10 years. That tactic has failed.
2
'rather feels like a game of whack-a-mole?!
Why is the US in Afghanistan after 15 years!? Why are we killing their people in their own country. They certainly did not come here and kill us.
2
Wrong!!! They harbored, and still harbor, people who did, and will continue to try to do so.
4
Reminder: 9/11 happened. Surprised that you forgot about that one really.
3
But we lost and do not recognize this fact. I saw this years ago.
The silver lining is that this will weaken the military industrial complex for the American people will lose patience supporting intractable losers. So we will cease being the world policeman and turn our attention to home repair. It is humiliating.
The silver lining is that this will weaken the military industrial complex for the American people will lose patience supporting intractable losers. So we will cease being the world policeman and turn our attention to home repair. It is humiliating.
1
Congrats to Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada on the new job!
2
What is the life expectancy of a Taliban leader these days?
2
It depends on how old they are when they get promoted of course, but the average seems to be less than 18 months after assuming a leadership position. It's almost as bad an employment prospect as working at a Trump casino.
3
next !
5
Well,our drones can kill him as well!
4
it took th taliban a shorter time to replace their ceo than it would an american corporation
drone on, folks, there plenty more where he came from
at $ 110, 000 per hellfire, be sure you pay your taxes
drone on, folks, there plenty more where he came from
at $ 110, 000 per hellfire, be sure you pay your taxes
Obama is coming for you too Mr. Akhundzada
Like all moslem fighters, the new leader is prepared to die, and his successor will be quickly named, who will also be prepared to die. It's an endless war that has been going on for centuries. This is how islam has taken over much of the world.
If Americans and others sent even a few suicidal bombers to the Middle East, the balance of power would quickly shift. But this is of course illegal and undemocratic. So islamists have the upper hand in using tactics that Americans cannot even think about. And in the islamists typically win.
Interestingly, Trump comes closest to saying these unspeakable truths. This is why a lot of people sense in this otherwise totally unfit individual a chance to take on the islamists on their own turf.
If Americans and others sent even a few suicidal bombers to the Middle East, the balance of power would quickly shift. But this is of course illegal and undemocratic. So islamists have the upper hand in using tactics that Americans cannot even think about. And in the islamists typically win.
Interestingly, Trump comes closest to saying these unspeakable truths. This is why a lot of people sense in this otherwise totally unfit individual a chance to take on the islamists on their own turf.
2
So, did the Russian have this problem with being undemocratic? The Afganies defeated the Russians. The Russians were brutal and they still lost. Along with the British(2 times).
REPOST: Post at Peter Zinger comment was meant here:
In that line of thinking, since Mr Obama wants to empty out Guantanamo because it helps recruit more terrorists, why not repatriate the remaining 'enemy combatants' with their Al-Qaeda and Taliban brothers in arms from about 30-35,000'?
After all, each one of those detained as well as the members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have sworn to die for Islam. Would this not be seen as a gesture of peace?
In that line of thinking, since Mr Obama wants to empty out Guantanamo because it helps recruit more terrorists, why not repatriate the remaining 'enemy combatants' with their Al-Qaeda and Taliban brothers in arms from about 30-35,000'?
After all, each one of those detained as well as the members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have sworn to die for Islam. Would this not be seen as a gesture of peace?
Trump would get my vote if volunteered to be a suicidal bomber in the mideast.
1
War in Afghanistan longest war in U.S. history & for some reason U.S. has problems defeating third world type governments examples include Vietnam and Iraq where the unjustified U.S. invasion led directly to creation of ISIS. In Afghanistan all of this was never needed as the Taliban was never directly associated with bin Laden but since the U.S. seems to think so the U.S. has created yet another enemy. U.S. is not wanted or needed in middle east and should fight countries its own size like Russia & China.
1
Not true. The Taliban refused to hand bin Laden and his associates over to the U.S. The Taliban thus became complicit with al Qaeda and an enemy of the U.S.
2
i'll sit up and pay attention when they take out a meeting in quetta of the taliban leaders. hitting one old man with bad kidneys riding a creaky car on a dirt road is lucky and opportunistic. when we have adequate intelligence about the taliban we will decapitate the organization at the armpits.
1
Our nation's best efforts -- the efforts of our sharpest minds and our most capable citizens -- should be focused on bringing our national infrastructure into the 21st century and readying it for the 22nd century. Instead, our leaders -- cheerled by the news media -- are absorbed with killing disaffected opium farmers and bedouins halfway around the world.
2
This kind of action and policy is an investment in the long bond of terrorism.
2
Next! Step right up to be blown to kingdom come. Keep the line moving.
1
This will for sure solve all of the problems in the Middle East. Let's see we've killed one more "terrorist" and recruited how many new ones with this insane policy?
Well it's in Afghanistan, not the Middle East, but you do make a good point. We need to kill them in far greater numbers, one at a time will do nothing. There are only about 35,000 Taliban at most, so I'd think if we aimed to nail all of them within a couple of months, they wouldn't get replaced. Or we could quickly nail their replacements, as soon as we'd taken out a hundred thousand or two, that would probably take care of it.
Well, what have we been trying to do for the past decade and a half -- at the cost of tens of thousands of lives and countless billions of dollars?
I don't get it.
I don't get it.
1
This will have no effect. U.S. out of the middle east and fix the Israel/Palestinian problem.
1
Only problem is, there is no solution to the Israel/Palestine problem.
1
You can't fix the Israel/Palestinian problem until you fix the Bibbi problem. And that has only gotten worse.
3
A VERY informative article about how the selection/screening process by the Taliban movements leadership council arrived at the decision to name Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada as the new leader of the Taliban but nary a word on the application process.
As Clapton is famously known for singing: "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the de-pu-ty."
As Clapton is famously known for singing: "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the de-pu-ty."
I am sure the Pakistani intelligence and USA intelligence was full aware of that Taliban meeting will take place in Quetta, Pakistan. Why not drone strike at the meeting to kill as many leaders as possible? Why this policy of nibbling at the corners? Is there something that pubic at large is missing ?
Lots of woo hoo's when they killed the old boss(es). But it's not working. It is just more killing and killing breeds more killing. Bombing and killing just makes us more hated and less safe. Remember when Al-Qaeda was the big threat and pretty much confined to Afghanistan? We bombed them there. Now ISIS is the big boogey man and we bomb all over the Middle East. It's not making things better it is making things worse. It is radicalizing huge numbers of people all over the world which feeds this circle of death. Please give us leaders that know and act on the teachings of the great masters. Love breeds love and hate breeds hate.
This is much like the Hatfield–McCoy feud and about as productive. We kill some of their family and they kill some of ours. Just stop killing already.
The American military industrial complex is the great beneficiary with endless wars and not us in armchairs going woo hoo.
This is much like the Hatfield–McCoy feud and about as productive. We kill some of their family and they kill some of ours. Just stop killing already.
The American military industrial complex is the great beneficiary with endless wars and not us in armchairs going woo hoo.
1
True. If we withdrew from the whole quagmire, we would maintain the same level of security as they turned on each other. We need to get out of the ME and Afghanistan altogether, right away.
Afghanistan:
We broke it but we can't fix it no matter how many US lives and dollars are wasted!
We broke it but we can't fix it no matter how many US lives and dollars are wasted!
3
Extremist groups like the Taliban and ISIL are, obviously, cancers or HIV in the global body. They cannot be eradicated, even if "the sand glows red." All we can do is continue to kill their leaders and destabilize their organizations, so that they become chronic rather than fatal diseases. Perhaps far down the road there will be an outright "cure" but I don't expect it in my lifetime.
2
Dear ALB,
Nicely enough, a cure is assured. All these groups are in areas fated to be dehydrated by global warming. Their lands, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and so on, will become completely uninhabitable. They lack the technology or the foresight to do anything about it.
As long as the world acts wisely about re-educating or eliminating the refugees, within a century at most none of these barbaric cultures will exist anymore, as they'll have no homelands.
Nicely enough, a cure is assured. All these groups are in areas fated to be dehydrated by global warming. Their lands, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and so on, will become completely uninhabitable. They lack the technology or the foresight to do anything about it.
As long as the world acts wisely about re-educating or eliminating the refugees, within a century at most none of these barbaric cultures will exist anymore, as they'll have no homelands.
With different ethnic and tribal loyalties and political ambitions neither the Afghan Taliban are a monolith group of insurgents nor they are in deference to any one leader. They are an amorphous entity that keeps on mutating itself into several forms.
2
Ok, the Taliban is in a bit of disarray, although not so much that they can't function.
But there's another aspect that has to be addressed: Why is it that so many Afghans support the Taliban over the Kabul government? Until you can answer that question, and give the population a reason to support the Kabul government over the Taliban, the Taliban won't go away. If, on the other hand, you convince the population that things are much better under the Kabul government, then suddenly those hidden terrorist cells will become not hidden any more, and the Taliban will be much much easier to destroy.
And yes, that's the same sort of question that has to be asked in Iraq, and the same question that should have been asked in Vietnam but wasn't.
But there's another aspect that has to be addressed: Why is it that so many Afghans support the Taliban over the Kabul government? Until you can answer that question, and give the population a reason to support the Kabul government over the Taliban, the Taliban won't go away. If, on the other hand, you convince the population that things are much better under the Kabul government, then suddenly those hidden terrorist cells will become not hidden any more, and the Taliban will be much much easier to destroy.
And yes, that's the same sort of question that has to be asked in Iraq, and the same question that should have been asked in Vietnam but wasn't.
3
The Taliban's ombudsman justice system is evidently more respected than the government's courts.
Note that the latest nominee to wear the bullseye brings judicial experience, not combat experience, to the office.
Note that the latest nominee to wear the bullseye brings judicial experience, not combat experience, to the office.
1. They have guns, and control the drug trade.
2. The question of "hearts and minds," never got asked in Vietnam? Really?
2. The question of "hearts and minds," never got asked in Vietnam? Really?
1
@Steve,
Both actually.......
Both actually.......
1
Thank You, President Obama, for staying the course and limited resources to kill the leaders of these common criminal terrorist groups. Please keep up the good work. THIS is one very good reason not to let DT and his bullying, wealthy cronies within 1000 miles of the White House or any political office.
20
Some of you anti-Obama types act like drone strikes are all the US and its allies are doing in the middle east. This is one of literally hundreds of things that are going on.
13
Oh, right That should be obvious from the never-ending string of victory and success that we have been reaping from the effort.
My guess is that the situation would look pretty much the same whether we stayed home and rebuilt our own country or squandered lives and treasure in various worthless deserts.
My guess is that the situation would look pretty much the same whether we stayed home and rebuilt our own country or squandered lives and treasure in various worthless deserts.
Congress approved $800 million yesterday under a special reimbursement fund to Pakistan yesterday. Reimbursement for what? Hush money to allow US to kill Mansour. How much hush money has been negotiated with the Pak generals for other figures US wants to get rid of? All talk by Congress about Pak duplicity is bogus! The gravy train from the US to Pakistan government is intact!
10
And who controls congress these days? Republicans. Just saying.
2
That was to reimburse Pakistan for reimbursing the Taliban for the cost of their convention in Quetta.
Hello,
Hmmm... "as the movement’s leaders convened in the Pakistani city of Quetta to discuss his burial",
Seems that would have been a good time and place for another drone strike.
Bill Moore
Hmmm... "as the movement’s leaders convened in the Pakistani city of Quetta to discuss his burial",
Seems that would have been a good time and place for another drone strike.
Bill Moore
34
Well don American you killed OBL and created ISIL as you care about American lives not rest of world population did you keep the count how many you lost since last killing.
Just wonder what next on your list .
Americans love two thing killing and their country but there are others who love their country like Afghanis who never accepted foreign occupation and American so for unable to defeat them but busy blaming others for their defeat.
We never negotiate say American why begging Taliban to come to negotiating table.
Just wonder what next on your list .
Americans love two thing killing and their country but there are others who love their country like Afghanis who never accepted foreign occupation and American so for unable to defeat them but busy blaming others for their defeat.
We never negotiate say American why begging Taliban to come to negotiating table.
1
Islam created ISIL. Americans love killing? What about the prophet, a murdering warlord who is emulated by Islamists. Stop blaming democratic governments that evolved centuries later. Catch Up!
1
I'm so glad that the Taliban was sporting enough to formally announce Mansour's death and replacement. We can now adjust our scorecards to reflect the latest substitution. The only thing missing is the number Mawlawi Akhundzada will wear on his jersey.
1
This group hosted the perpetrators of 911. They meet openly in Pakistan to choose a new leader. Remind me again why we bomb Syria, but send Billions in aid and F-16 fighters to our "friends" in Pakistan?
7
Since 1951, the USA has provided foreign aid to Pakistan totalling, to some estimates, $80 billion, $20 billion alone since 9-11. What have we to show for out return on investment? Pakistan was the HQ of Bin Laden and the Taliban network. Our money has not deterred the festering of USA targeted hatred, so why should we be paying a third world country that must be laughing at us each time our checks clear?
55
"What have we to show for out return on investment?" Remember Pakistan's role in defeating URSS in Afghanistan? What about all the logistical support for the war in Afghanistan post 2002? What about Pakistani intelligence capturing more Al Qaeda members than any other country?
Good riddance.
3
The Taliban are obviously well organized and capable of quickly dealing with succession and transition in a strategic fashion.
Question: When, where and how has this group ever indicated they have an interest in any negotiation other than one leading to their return to power? I don't mean that as an excuse to keep targeting them. But if we think we can drone strike them into talks and then believe any resultant outcome will be honored, we will find ourselves reliving Vietnam.
Then again, the supposed agreement with Vietnam gave us cover for leaving the country. Not a bad idea.
Question: When, where and how has this group ever indicated they have an interest in any negotiation other than one leading to their return to power? I don't mean that as an excuse to keep targeting them. But if we think we can drone strike them into talks and then believe any resultant outcome will be honored, we will find ourselves reliving Vietnam.
Then again, the supposed agreement with Vietnam gave us cover for leaving the country. Not a bad idea.
4
Taliban will not negotiate because Pakistan does not want it to negotiate. Pakistan wants a Taliban government in Afghanistan to keep the Indians out. Pakistan has spent 30 years building the Taliban, first helping it grab power and then sheltering it as a government in waiting. It is not going to give it all away on the negotiating table. Afghan Taliban is a virtual arm of the Pakistan ISI. Their leadership lives in Pakistan and the ISI decides who will be their supreme leader. If the Taliban negotiates, it will just be a feign to buy time, get the Americans to leave and then grab power.
2
Killing leaders is useless, at most a feel good activity to fool population. Sometimes the next leader is more effective, thus we inadvertently aid the bad guys. Letting the world know that Pakistan is the nest of terrorism is positive, but then we realize how impotent is the US.
5
I'm surprised they didn't have to have an 'acting' or 'interim' haed while doing an exhaustive search for new leadership. Seems like they promoted from within as well instead of looking for competent leadership from outside the organization. I wonder if any of the other presumed #1s will now leave to form their own terrorist cells, or take time off to spend time with their families, or join other organizations having been passed over for the leadership role.
This whole thing is just too scary, tragic, and concurrently ridiculous.
This whole thing is just too scary, tragic, and concurrently ridiculous.
9
One could easily argue that Mr. Akhundzada is now the interim head of the Taliban until we take him out with a drone strike. I wonder what was going through his head when they picked him. Please, please, pick somebody else!
1
You make it sound as if this is akin to the succession plan of a major corporation. Well maybe it is, in its own way.
So following your scenario, with the succession plan announced, or an outside search initiated, the targeting becomes soooo much simpler.
One can only hope.
So following your scenario, with the succession plan announced, or an outside search initiated, the targeting becomes soooo much simpler.
One can only hope.
Keep in mind that you only 'know' what you can 'learn' from reading American press. You, and I, are at a distinct disadvantage as compared to the local Afghanis, who speak the local languages.
Whatever happens there, it will not be news to the locals when we finally read about it in our American press.
Still, it is weird. I wonder if Mullah Mansour knew he was about to die. I wonder why I post comments here on a topic about which I know so little...
Whatever happens there, it will not be news to the locals when we finally read about it in our American press.
Still, it is weird. I wonder if Mullah Mansour knew he was about to die. I wonder why I post comments here on a topic about which I know so little...
2
There was an interesting tv broadcast recently called 'The Spymasters - CIA in the Crosshairs' about the war on terror etc and the CIA from World Trade Center 1 in '93 up to today.
It suggested Obama ramped up drone strikes, even with collateral damage, to avoid having to deal with 'constitutional rights' types issues if you capture targets. Dead men file no habeas writs..... Some of the CIA Directors quoted lament this, saying we'd like to get them and interrogate them.....
Good show, worth a look. Covers much of the 'zero dark thirty' / hunt for OBL material as well.
It suggested Obama ramped up drone strikes, even with collateral damage, to avoid having to deal with 'constitutional rights' types issues if you capture targets. Dead men file no habeas writs..... Some of the CIA Directors quoted lament this, saying we'd like to get them and interrogate them.....
Good show, worth a look. Covers much of the 'zero dark thirty' / hunt for OBL material as well.
2
America is big and powerful country and got most sophisticated weapons to kill any body anywhere on this planet large majority innocent civilians but have they got the brains only they can tell.
Yes they are fond of killing high value targets like OBL but what they have created is called ISIL congratulations Americans now keep fighting another 50 years something you love.
OBL killed 3000 Americans and your response killed more lot more Americans and millions non Americans and dozens countries well done that is called brainless policy to achieve your goals if mass killing is what you want you got it but not peace on this planet.
Job well done.
Yes they are fond of killing high value targets like OBL but what they have created is called ISIL congratulations Americans now keep fighting another 50 years something you love.
OBL killed 3000 Americans and your response killed more lot more Americans and millions non Americans and dozens countries well done that is called brainless policy to achieve your goals if mass killing is what you want you got it but not peace on this planet.
Job well done.
15
Mr. Khawaja, if you could be so kind as to provide your coordinates...
Sounds like the next "martyrs" have been named.
13
What does it feel like when you get the call in the Taliban that you are moving to the corner office or let's say, it would be best to keep moving.
21
Lets just kill him, too.
And the next one...
And the next one...
Thus the flaw in Obama's strategy. Without a cognizant, comprehensive plan, it is just another killing. He pulled out too early to fulfill a half-baked campaign promise and so the Taliban march on, strong as they ever were, despite the sacrifices of so many Americans and other coalition troops. Happy Memorial Day.
And the next one...
And the next one...
Thus the flaw in Obama's strategy. Without a cognizant, comprehensive plan, it is just another killing. He pulled out too early to fulfill a half-baked campaign promise and so the Taliban march on, strong as they ever were, despite the sacrifices of so many Americans and other coalition troops. Happy Memorial Day.
3
You don't defeat hearts and minds with bullets and guns. The taliban were not going to be beaten or go away no matter how long we stayed. All that would have been accomplished was spending more money we don't have on a war that cannot be won. But, if you keep killing the leader, you keep them off-balance while the rest of the country goes about its business. And maybe one day that strategy succeeds. It is certainly lower risk and lower cost than an unending war.
38
If it wasnt for Bush junior, this whole thing would have been avoided.
5
we'll kill him too....next!
5
This can't be a very desirable job when all your predecessors have been killed. One can only imagine that the leader was chosen for his "expendability". In any case, the lethal pressure on this group will not likely change its policy nor its tactics.
26
I guess you don't understand the appeal of martyrdom. I don't either.
5
These are deeply indoctrinated people. They welcome dying for their cause. Just like the VietCong in Vietnam, the Taliban is a formidable foe which is not going away by a few assassinations. The real nightmare scenario is if the new leader proves ineffective and someone not under the control of Pakistan takes over, combines with the Pakistani Taliban and morphs into something resembling ISIS.
1
Remember the Hydra in Greek mythology? You cut its head, and two more grow In its place.
That has been the continuing saga with the US policy, dealing with the jihadists...you kill a leader, two more arise, or one arises who is more wicked than the one just eliminated....
We thought, naively, that the elimination of Ben Laden, will give the West a breathing spell!
That has been the continuing saga with the US policy, dealing with the jihadists...you kill a leader, two more arise, or one arises who is more wicked than the one just eliminated....
We thought, naively, that the elimination of Ben Laden, will give the West a breathing spell!
Lies...denied for a week he was dead. Lies, child rape, mass murder, female hatred...all in the name of Allah. Sickening.
15
Is it only me, but does no one else wonder if we knew so much about the who, when, where of the meeting, why are these guys still walking around?
11
The Shura (Council) meeting took place in Quetta, Pakistan to select the next Emir, not far from where the previous Emir was killed. The Pakistani ISI probably had a big say on who becomes the leader. Mullah Mansour also had the ISI blessing when he took over. This is evident from the fact that the ISI and Mullah Mansour colluded to hide from the Taliban that Mullah Omar, the previous head had died in a Karachi hospital a couple of years ago. Mullah Mansour also had all the papers that a Pakistani would need to live and travel in and out of Pakistan. Mullah Mansour assassination was probably agreed to by the ISI as he proved too independent. Pakistan is a security state. Not much happens there without the ISI's collusion or consent. It is important to understand that Pakistan's objectives in this war are not the same as American objectives. What Pakistan fears most is encirclement by India. Pakistan shelters the Taliban as a government in waiting for Afghanistan. For America to win this war, it has to recognize that Pakistan will always be a reluctant ally. The real convergence of interest in Afghanistan is between the US, Iran and India. Unless the US comes to terms with that, this war will continue like this.
You have obviously studied this situation. I can not see why Pakistan would prefer China on its NE border as opposed to India -- excepting the religious issue. And why, again with this stipulation, would Pakistan want Afghanistan in the first place, save as a buffer against Russia.
I can see why the US has an interest here, (anything Russia wants we will try to thwart), and perhaps Iran who is trying to build a safe sphere of influence, but fail to see India's case excepting, as you pointed out, the encirclement of Pakistan.
I can see why the US has an interest here, (anything Russia wants we will try to thwart), and perhaps Iran who is trying to build a safe sphere of influence, but fail to see India's case excepting, as you pointed out, the encirclement of Pakistan.
apparently we like to blow up bullfrogs one firecracker at a time.
1
"Taliban Verify Death of Leader and Name His Replacement"
His name? "Target" ...
His name? "Target" ...
21
These people are barely living in the 19th century much less the 21st century. And once again the USA continues to fight another losing battle.
8
As Lincoln taught us, fight one war at a time when during the Civil War we came close to war with England.
Same here, stick to the terrorists that directly attacked us originally like ISIS, Al Q. and not the Taliban.
Time to negotiate with them instead of an endless war with them. Anything is on the table except atrocities or war crimes that the world can agree upon. Everything else can be negotiated. If they want to live in the middle ages, there is nothing we can do about it.
Same here, stick to the terrorists that directly attacked us originally like ISIS, Al Q. and not the Taliban.
Time to negotiate with them instead of an endless war with them. Anything is on the table except atrocities or war crimes that the world can agree upon. Everything else can be negotiated. If they want to live in the middle ages, there is nothing we can do about it.
10
Let us hope the new leader will be someone the US can negotiate with in good faith and the next "important milestone" is a peace deal and an end to the longest war in US history. The key questions are What is it the Taliban want and what will it take to get the Taliban to end all hostilities and terrorist activity? Pakistan will clearly need to be on board to make the deal work and India, China, Iran and Russia will need to ensure that Afghanistan prospers in a violence free era. I can only speculate what the Taliban want. I think they want to administer regions within Afghanistan where they already have a hold but are waiting to be officially recognized as under Taliban control and be permitted to govern under the Sharia law. We need to look at these regions as reservations of Afghans who call themselves the Taliban (the army of God). There has to be a give and take on both sides, only then will there be a political solution that will lead to a cessation of conflict once and for all between the Afghans and the rest of the world that has for far too long interfered with the hardy Afghans with a history of fiercely fighting off foreign invaders. A deeper understanding of what the other side wants and a genuine desire to develop a peaceful end to hostilities will be required. If either side thinks that destroying the other in battle fields or within their hide outs is the solution then we are looking at the longest war transforming into a forever war. Give peace a chance.
2
Such a quick replacement of Monsieur Mansour shows depth and planning. Taliban is no rag tag band of a few disgruntled fighters. They are quite organized, have help, and resources. In addition to decapitating the leadership, the founts of their support and resources have to be identified, and dealt with as well.
4
The founts of their support and resources are well known. They live in Quetta, Pakistan and are controlled by the ISI. Unless the US recognizes Pakistan is a reluctant ally with different objectives, the war will continue. The US needs allies with convergence of interests in Afghanistan which is between US, Iran and India. The US has this irrational hatred for the Iranians which complicates the solution.
1
This drives me nuts. If they know this much about what is going on,you can't make me believe they don't know how to find him.
They are not trying.
They are not trying.
It's obvious you have never been to Afghanistan. The grave of empires.
1
Come on! It defies common sense. We take out the leader and then read in the papers about the gathering to pick his successor, and then read in the papers about the gathering for his memorial...
I you can pick off one guy in the desert ....
I you can pick off one guy in the desert ....
Well, Mr. Obama, you better start outfitting hundreds of drones, because for as many Taliban leaders you decide to kill, there are dozens more taking their place. No one understands the dynamics in Afghanistan - it's the drug capital of the world - it supplies the poppy for most of the worlds heroin - it's been doing so since 1992. In 2007, 92% of the non pharmaceutical grade opiates in the world market originated in Afghanistan. The Russians were in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989 - we've been there since 2001. The Taliban is there to stay - they will never leave and will be ruling several provinces long after Mr. Obama has left office. We need to remove all forces from the country, and never go back. China and Russia are practically neighbors with Afghanistan - you don't see them worrying about the country. It's a non starter - they're drug dealers with guns - nothings going to change that. Especially flying drones sporadically killing a few men.
18
Thank you for living in the real world. I find it interesting that some believe we should just do more of something that is not working.
2
With all the pharmaceutical grade opiods the US consumes, we should turn these guys into budding capitalists instead. [yes, that was sarcasm]
Not a popular job knowing that you will be a stain in the coming year. The US drone program will see to that.
1
Ironic, they are shaken by the death of their leader and obviously never shaken by the death of thousands they thought fit to kill!
43
Their leader reportedly divisive. Maybe a burden has been lifted.
1
@rati mody: Sort of like our "collateral damage," wouldn't you say?
Just wondering. What if the Taliban or Al Qaeda or any of our foes were to target our leaders with drones? What an uproar that would make!
Targeted assassinations of leaders - a bad idea. Celebrating them also bad ideas. Let's find ways to make peace
Targeted assassinations of leaders - a bad idea. Celebrating them also bad ideas. Let's find ways to make peace
2
We did this to Pearl Harbor Japanese Admiral Yamamoto in WWII, with FDR personal approval. Is that like killing Osama Bin Laden?
Are military leaders different from political leaders?
I've read some suggestions that killing Hitler was not thought to be a good idea because it would not have ended the Third Reich, and the successor [Goering? Himmler? Bormann?] would have killed tens of thousand in reprisal - like in Czechoslovakia after Heydrich was assassinated.
No wonder Presidents' hair turns gray...
Are military leaders different from political leaders?
I've read some suggestions that killing Hitler was not thought to be a good idea because it would not have ended the Third Reich, and the successor [Goering? Himmler? Bormann?] would have killed tens of thousand in reprisal - like in Czechoslovakia after Heydrich was assassinated.
No wonder Presidents' hair turns gray...
4
What is the address of the Taliban HQ? I would like to send sympathy flowers. With a box alongside it. Ticking...
Seriously. I understand how very difficult it is for the CIA to nail these animals, but I say, to really track them down? Turn them into a credit agency. They will find them suckers posthaste.
Finding Mansour is a nice example of our tax dollars at work.
Seriously. I understand how very difficult it is for the CIA to nail these animals, but I say, to really track them down? Turn them into a credit agency. They will find them suckers posthaste.
Finding Mansour is a nice example of our tax dollars at work.
4
Are we to assume that these gentlemen are resident in Pakistan and under the protection of the ISI, Pakistan's secret security cabal that has been supporting and harboring the Taliban fanatics, lunatics and mass-murderers?
If so, I wonder if they be so kind as to put bullseye's on their turbans. That way they'll be so much easier to locate. In the meanwhile, thanks so much for their names and photos. We'll be in touch.
If so, I wonder if they be so kind as to put bullseye's on their turbans. That way they'll be so much easier to locate. In the meanwhile, thanks so much for their names and photos. We'll be in touch.
43
Every body know they are fanatic and illiterate and stupid who keep fighting for years mostly against foreign occupation.
Is America any different yes defiantly yes they are educated sophisticated and powerful can kill.
But do you know why they were begging Taliban the terrorist to negotiate but the say we never negotiate with terrorist only educate American can answer.
America never begged Viet Nam but run away from there to return after 50 years when they need them against China.
America has the power but defiantly not moral one.
Is America any different yes defiantly yes they are educated sophisticated and powerful can kill.
But do you know why they were begging Taliban the terrorist to negotiate but the say we never negotiate with terrorist only educate American can answer.
America never begged Viet Nam but run away from there to return after 50 years when they need them against China.
America has the power but defiantly not moral one.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: the Pakistani ISI. Until something changes, we will still be playing whack-a-mole with these guys.
That this charade is allowed to continue speaks volumes on the intent of the main characters.
That this charade is allowed to continue speaks volumes on the intent of the main characters.
29