Pompeo: The Taliban, Who Live In Afghanistan, Cannot ‘Wait Us Out’ (column)

[خره مينه لګته وي]

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to Afghanistan earlier this week, where he visited with troops stationed at Disneyland Afghanistan, aka Bagram Air Base.

Per the official readout from the State Department, Pompeo apparently reiterated that “the Taliban cannot win on the battlefield, cannot wait us out, and will ultimately have to settle their differences with the Afghan government at the negotiating table.”

It’s interesting how the collective delusion of our political leadership continues amid a 17-year-long conflict — one that NATO has just agreed to keep funding to at least 2024.And sadly, it’s not just Pompeo: even Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who told Congress in June 2017 that “we are not winning in Afghanistan,” changed his assessment to say the Taliban has been put on their “back foot” less than a year later.

What made him come to that assumption? The hell if I know.



According to the Pentagon’s own data, in February 2017 the Afghan government controlled or influenced 60% of its 407 districts. It reported 29% of districts were contested, while 11% were under full control of the Taliban.




In Jan. 2018, it reported the Afghan government was in control or had influenced 56% of its districts. Meanwhile, the contested number remained the same at 29%, while Taliban control rose 14%.


“The Taliban continue to maintain its grip on half of Afghanistan, despite US military’s reinvigorated effort to force the group from its strongholds,” wrote Long War Journal, which has been tracking who controls each district in Afghanistan since summer 2015.

Here’s more:

According to LWJ, the Afghan government controls 159 districts (39%), the Taliban controls 39 districts (9.5%), and 200 districts (49%) are contested. LWJ was not able to determine the status of 9 districts (2%).



Therefore, according to LWJ’s data, the Taliban controls or contests 239 of Afghanistan’s 407 districts, or 59%.


The Taliban can’t wait us out? Hello, they live there. I think they absolutely can.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is considering reviewing its “strategy” in Afghanistan for the umpteenth time.


--------------

Paul Szoldra is a columnist for Task & Purpose. His past bylines include Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, and Duffel Blog, which he founded in 2012. He served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan. Follow Paul Szoldra on Twitter @paulszoldra


paul@taskandpurpose.com



Source : Link

 

[MBT 3000]

lol

 

[MultaniGuy]

HAHA I laugh at this Pompeo idiot.

Afghan Taliban are poised to win. Its just a drain on USA's resources.

 

[jetray]

Its a message to taliban supporters that their scheme is not going to work anymore. Taliban backers thought that america will leave afghanistan handing them control of the place.

 

[MultaniGuy]

Its a message to taliban supporters that their scheme is not going to work anymore. Taliban backers thought that america will leave afghanistan handing them control of the place.

Oh we will see about that. It is USA who are the outsiders.

 

[Dark-Destroyer]

Lol what an idiotic statement to make

 

[MultaniGuy]

Its a message to taliban supporters that their scheme is not going to work anymore. Taliban backers thought that america will leave afghanistan handing them control of the place.

And the Afghans hate outsiders in their country. So the Afghans will keep fighting the outsiders. Good. More body bags for NATO.

 

[Dalit]

After 17 years of failure this moron is doubting the Taliban's waiting out strategy LOL

 

[MultaniGuy]

After 17 years this moron is doubting the Taliban's waiting out strategy LOL

Exactly same way, Taliban did to the Soviet Union, the Afghan Taliban will do the same to USA. Its just a matter of time.

 

[Path-Finder]

What nonsense. You are NOT a native of that country! You will leave!

 

[MultaniGuy]

What nonsense. You are NOT a native of that country! You will leave!

lol @jetray, you should read this, Pompeo wants to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban:

Mike Pompeo Pushes for Peace Talks With the Taliban During a Surprise Stop in Afghanistan



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SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO URGES NORTH KOREA TO FOLLOW VIETNAM'S EXAMPLE IN OVERCOMING HOSTILITIES WITH U.S.
By LAIGNEE BARRON
July 10, 2018
On a surprise visit to Afghanistan Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed for peace talks with the Taliban, indicating that the Trump administration would be willing to take part in discussions led by the Afghan government.

Pompeo’s stop in the capital Kabul, his first since becoming Secretary of State, comes toward the end of a week-long trip that began in North Korea and Vietnam, and is slated to conclude in Brussels with NATO discussions from July 10-12.

Meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Pompeo dubbed the Trump administration’s approach to the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan a success.

“I came here today to learn the progress that we’d made,” he said in a press conference following his meeting. “My conclusion from this visit is that the President’s strategy is indeed working. Our South Asia strategy has sent a clear message to the Afghan peoples and its security services that we will support them as they continue to fight to defend their country and their people.”

Last year, President Donald Trump reversed a campaign pledge and announced plans to boost troops in Afghanistan, which have been present since the 2001 invasion following the 9/11 attacks.

According to a BBC survey in January, the insurgents are openly active in 70% of the country. Attacks have reportedly increased in recent months with near-daily offensives launched against security forces.

Yet at Monday’s news conference, President Ghani, who postponed parliamentary elections until later this year, expressed optimism about the potential for peace, and called Trump’s strategy a “game-changer.”

According to Pompeo,”The strategy has sent a clear message.”

“They cannot wait us out,” he said, “We are beginning to see the results both on the battlefield where the Taliban’s momentum is slowing and in the prospects for peace with them.”

Pompeo told journalists, “The United States will support, facilitate, and participate” in peace talks, but noted that the process would be “Afghan-led.”

The Taliban has repeatedly rejected Ghani’s calls to negotiate, however.

Last month, Kabul extended a unilateral ceasefire to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, hoping that the truce might encourage the insurgents to join a dialogue. But the ceasefire was followed by resumed attacks after three days.

Pompeo will head next to the United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to meet Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

http://time.com/5334263/mike-pompeo-peace-talks-taliban/

lol Afghan Taliban won't negotiate, because they know they have nothing to lose, and are the inhabitants of the land.

 

[jetray]

lol @jetray, you should read this, Pompeo wants to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban:

Mike Pompeo Pushes for Peace Talks With the Taliban During a Surprise Stop in Afghanistan



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YOU MIGHT LIKE
SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO URGES NORTH KOREA TO FOLLOW VIETNAM'S EXAMPLE IN OVERCOMING HOSTILITIES WITH U.S.
By LAIGNEE BARRON
July 10, 2018
On a surprise visit to Afghanistan Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed for peace talks with the Taliban, indicating that the Trump administration would be willing to take part in discussions led by the Afghan government.

Pompeo’s stop in the capital Kabul, his first since becoming Secretary of State, comes toward the end of a week-long trip that began in North Korea and Vietnam, and is slated to conclude in Brussels with NATO discussions from July 10-12.

Meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Pompeo dubbed the Trump administration’s approach to the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan a success.

“I came here today to learn the progress that we’d made,” he said in a press conference following his meeting. “My conclusion from this visit is that the President’s strategy is indeed working. Our South Asia strategy has sent a clear message to the Afghan peoples and its security services that we will support them as they continue to fight to defend their country and their people.”

Last year, President Donald Trump reversed a campaign pledge and announced plans to boost troops in Afghanistan, which have been present since the 2001 invasion following the 9/11 attacks.

According to a BBC survey in January, the insurgents are openly active in 70% of the country. Attacks have reportedly increased in recent months with near-daily offensives launched against security forces.

Yet at Monday’s news conference, President Ghani, who postponed parliamentary elections until later this year, expressed optimism about the potential for peace, and called Trump’s strategy a “game-changer.”

According to Pompeo,”The strategy has sent a clear message.”

“They cannot wait us out,” he said, “We are beginning to see the results both on the battlefield where the Taliban’s momentum is slowing and in the prospects for peace with them.”

Pompeo told journalists, “The United States will support, facilitate, and participate” in peace talks, but noted that the process would be “Afghan-led.”

The Taliban has repeatedly rejected Ghani’s calls to negotiate, however.

Last month, Kabul extended a unilateral ceasefire to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, hoping that the truce might encourage the insurgents to join a dialogue. But the ceasefire was followed by resumed attacks after three days.

Pompeo will head next to the United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to meet Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

http://time.com/5334263/mike-pompeo-peace-talks-taliban/

lol Afghan Taliban won't negotiate, because they know they have nothing to lose, and are the inhabitants of the land.

taliban wont negotiate bcos their masters wont allow them to.
As for as americans are concerned they are here to stay taliban or no taliban especially with things hotting up with china. But obviously they cant say that in open. Only problem is that some elements in neighborhood are still dreaming about soviet collapse. Please wake them up.

 

[The Accountant]

taliban wont negotiate bcos their masters wont allow them to.
As for as americans are concerned they are here to stay taliban or no taliban especially with things hotting up with china. But obviously they cant say that in open. Only problem is that some elements in neighborhood are still dreaming about soviet collapse. Please wake them up.

Meanwhile China and Russia will do nothing about it ?

First of all US is too much stuck and its debt is already all time high, and is already facing the heat at multiple front for high defence expense ... Furthermore, Taliban are independent entity and Pakistan do have connections with them but we do not have control over them ...

Last yesterday, Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan met in Pakistan for finding solution of Afghanistan so all of the regional countries are united and are convinced to keep US out of the region except for stupid bania who is craving for war and dreaming about destruction of Pakistan ...

Dear Mr. Bania you can keep dreaming but mark my words, we are muslim nation and are not afraid of death and destruction. Unfortunately we are sleeping and a strong united Pakistan is favourable to you , somehow if you manage to create a chaos in Pakistan (although its highly unlikely) then there will be no Pak army on the borders and then you will not be fighting with 700K of army but against 200 million people ... So beter make your moves with sanity otherwise we are mad enough to take it to your home ,,,

 

[jetray]

Meanwhile China and Russia will do nothing about it ?

First of all US is too much stuck and its debt is already all time high, and is already facing the heat at multiple front for high defence expense ... Furthermore, Taliban are independent entity and Pakistan do have connections with them but we do not have control over them ...

Last yesterday, Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan met in Pakistan for finding solution of Afghanistan so all of the regional countries are united and are convinced to keep US out of the region except for stupid bania who is craving for war and dreaming about destruction of Pakistan ...

Dear Mr. Bania you can keep dreaming but mark my words, we are muslim nation and are not afraid of death and destruction. Unfortunately we are sleeping and a strong united Pakistan is favourable to you , somehow if you manage to create a chaos in Pakistan (although its highly unlikely) then there will be no Pak army on the borders and then you will not be fighting with 700K of army but against 200 million people ... So beter make your moves with sanity otherwise we are mad enough to take it to your home ,,,

first you can pack you emotions and keep it safe else where. bcos wearing your emotions will not make you a logical thinker.

Other than china , rest of the countries are nearly bankrupt. US continues to pile upon debt with no worries whatsoever. Taliban commanders were killed in pakistan that is a fact, pakistan in past has agreed and brought taliban to the table for talks. US is here to stay bcos thats what they want to do. For them neither India nor Pakistan makes no difference. Its only their foreign policy objectives that matter to them.

PS: by the way I am not a bania, its like me calling you a hardcore mullah.

 

[LeGenD]

lol Afghan Taliban won't negotiate, because they know they have nothing to lose, and are the inhabitants of the land.

Afghan Taliban is willing to negotiate but with US (only) - it does not recognize existing Afghan government and wants to bypass it in negotiations. Afghan Taliban's argument is that it is the legitimate government of Afghanistan and US should restore it to power instead. Afghan Taliban is willing to shed all ties with Al-Qaeda Network and its affiliates in turn.

US is pushing Afghan Taliban to embrace Afghan government on the other hand. US have also exerted pressure on Pakistan to convince Afghan Taliban to recognize Afghan government and negotiate a truce with it. Afghan Taliban does not agree with these terms, and continue to work against Afghan government.

Both camps are locked in a stalemate due to their respective positions.

"The respective positions of each side makes it difficult to see how negotiations will commence. Not wanting to recognise the legitimacy of the Ghani administration, most Taliban factions favour direct negotiations with the US. For its part, Washington does not want to cut its Afghan partners out of the negotiations, while also expressing scepticism that any agreement reached solely with the Taliban would be palatable or sustainable."

Source: https://foreignbrief.com/security-terrorism/is-peace-finally-on-the-horizon-in-afghanistan/