Abu Zolfiqar
Rest in Peace
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most alarming development
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"the warlords and drug lords held sway..."
This comment is utterly befuddling. Are not the taliban both now and then heavily involved in opium? The answer is unequivocably "YES".
Of course you're aware that world records for opium cultivation were set in 1999 (please consult UNODC data which I've posted numerous times here for confirmation). How can this be THREE years after they seized power?
Or Helmand now? We know that until April that much of this province-the world's single largest opium producing area-was FULLY under taliban sway. What, then, explains this explosion if they've effectively controlled this area?
As to warlords, are not the taliban warlords on steroids? What separates them from the others? Perhaps you're unaware of UNITY's comments to taliban corruption in Afghanistan? Please contact him via P.M. and ask if he'd agree with you.
"We see the post soviet war slaughter, rape and absolute chaos which was ended with Taliban's ascent...sure they were not gentle and in war committed cruelty but were better than the civil war and constant chaos which the masses were subjected to...at least they attempted a unified governance..."
Did they not slaughter as well? Which of these competing factions wouldn't attempt a unified governance if provided the opportunity?
"You judge Taliban by western standards and you see barbarians..."
What standard do you use? Is this taliban standard sufficient to permit such within Pakistan? If not, are you "western"? If "western", do you prefer a non-western approach to Afghanistan? Do you suggest that what's good for afghans isn't good for Pakistanis just over the border? Are there "different" talibans, All-Green?
I sense condescension here suggesting that the afghan people aren't capable or deserving of a higher order of governance other than an iron fist and hillbilly perversions of Islamic theology. That such might be beyond the capabilities of Karzai doesn't mean that it should be rejected. Certainly no more so than the same for Pakistan's corruption riddled governance and Zardari.
The key is, of course, getting better men and women to stand for election-in BOTH countries.
S-2,
We sincerely want USA to help itself, ourselves and Afghans by talking to the Taliban even now and put pressure on Al Qaeda.
Even now Al Qaeda faces hate from most of the Islamic world and that should be used in splitting the two...this will help the entire world.
No good is coming out of treating Omar and Osama alike since it makes them allies...to lethal effect.
They had entirely different motivations for doing what they did.
Osama was the one who attacked USA not Omar.
USA primary mission was Al Qaeda...It is Al Qaeda which wants to wage a global war on USA...it was not Taliban...never did they say that it was their goal to fight a global war with USA before they were attacked.
Unfortunately, Mullah Omar's track record speaks for itself. He was the one who provided AQ the space to incubate and plan attacks around the world including the one on 9/11. When he was asked to turn over OBL in 2001 , he refused. He has shared the same bed with Al Qaeda for too long - clearly, he and his core group of followers have a symbiotic relationship with Al Qaeda and must be eliminated as well.
However, there are several Taliban factions who are not necessarily ideoligically bound at the hip with Al Qaeda, Mullah Omar and the Greater Salafi Jihadi Network - those are the ones the US/Afghan Govt. could potentially negotiate with and reintegrate within the community.
Unfortunately, Mullah Omar's track record speaks for itself. He was the one who provided AQ the space to incubate and plan attacks around the world including the one on 9/11. When he was asked to turn over OBL in 2001 , he refused. He has shared the same bed with Al Qaeda for too long - clearly, he and his core group of followers have a symbiotic relationship with Al Qaeda and must be eliminated as well.
However, there are several Taliban factions who are not necessarily ideoligically bound at the hip with Al Qaeda, Mullah Omar and the Greater Salafi Jihadi Network - those are the ones the US/Afghan Govt. could potentially negotiate with and reintegrate within the community.
You need to get your facts straight!
When Omer gave 'refuge' to OBL it was decided that OBL would not plan/execute attacks from Afghanistan on the US. Omer was kept in dark about 9/11 and it is on record that when Omer learnt about 9/11 and the alleged involvement of Al Qaida cum OBL he was quite furious and it is also said that he did put across his view to OBL, but the problem was too soon spoiled when the US came rushing in without giving much time to Omer and party.
It was made clear by Omer that he would not JUST hand over OBL (as per their traditions) and instead would allow OBL to be tried in their courts, which indeed was quite workable as already explained well by All Green.
You would be highly mistaken of you consider Omer and OBL the wheels of the same cart. No doubt now (since 9/11) they have a common cause that's where the US screwed up. The US should have reduced her enemies instead of multiplying them, but unfortunately her strategies gave her the latter, both when it went in Iraq and Afghanistan!