Afghan government collapse.

[NOVA Green]

Meanwhile, alleged political conflicts between Iran and Pakistan following the Taliban Cabinet Position announcements.

This follows only a few days after the IRI "condemned" Pakistan for assaulting "Panjshir".

Wouldn't be hard for Iran to "turn up the heat" a notch to pressure the new TB GVMT, and although likely much of this posing, reality is that the new TB GVMT is heavily dependent upon Iranian Oil flowing through to keep the Power Plants running, especially with only so much in the way of Hydro-resources.

Thing is with the Taliban 2.0, they are trying to create a sort of "interfaith" religious scholar council, but gonna be pretty hard to do that if the whole Sunni-Shiite rivalries start creating not only serious issues within Afghanistan, but also potentially even spreading into Pakistan.

[Secretary of State Liberal Hack]

So... here's an interesting back-story regarding the Younger Brother of Massoud Sr.  which I was not aware of previously, but as Karzai's VP absconded with tons of cash from Afghanistan.

This is from a seasoned reporter for The Times (UK), who seems like he knows his s**t.

https://twitter.com/RichardJSpencer/status/1434759060482572292?s=20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Zia_Massoud

I mean you can't really blame someone who died for something their brother did after they died.

[PSOL]

Meanwhile, alleged political conflicts between Iran and Pakistan following the Taliban Cabinet Position announcements.

This follows only a few days after the IRI "condemned" Pakistan for assaulting "Panjshir".

Wouldn't be hard for Iran to "turn up the heat" a notch to pressure the new TB GVMT, and although likely much of this posing, reality is that the new TB GVMT is heavily dependent upon Iranian Oil flowing through to keep the Power Plants running, especially with only so much in the way of Hydro-resources.

Thing is with the Taliban 2.0, they are trying to create a sort of "interfaith" religious scholar council, but gonna be pretty hard to do that if the whole Sunni-Shiite rivalries start creating not only serious issues within Afghanistan, but also potentially even spreading into Pakistan.

More reason why we should have signed a new deal with Iran mere days into Biden’s presidency.

[NOVA Green]

Meanwhile, alleged political conflicts between Iran and Pakistan following the Taliban Cabinet Position announcements.

This follows only a few days after the IRI "condemned" Pakistan for assaulting "Panjshir".

Wouldn't be hard for Iran to "turn up the heat" a notch to pressure the new TB GVMT, and although likely much of this posing, reality is that the new TB GVMT is heavily dependent upon Iranian Oil flowing through to keep the Power Plants running, especially with only so much in the way of Hydro-resources.

Thing is with the Taliban 2.0, they are trying to create a sort of "interfaith" religious scholar council, but gonna be pretty hard to do that if the whole Sunni-Shiite rivalries start creating not only serious issues within Afghanistan, but also potentially even spreading into Pakistan.

More reason why we should have signed a new deal with Iran mere days into Biden’s presidency.

Believe I have been consistent in my perspective that the Bush Jr Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan only enhanced the reactionary forces within Iran.

The deliberate destruction of the Baathist Regime in Iraq, created a massive destabilization of the entire region, not to mention significant shifts within the more extremist wings of the armed military-political formations of various actors, which fundamentally was "blowback" from the dayz of Ronald Reagan and the entire US National Security Establishment that supported, funded, and sub-contracted international terrorism as part of a proxy war against the Soviet Union.

It is amazing the paucity of knowledge and history that the average Atlas Poster has, when it actually comes to fundamental global transformative events.

Not talking about you man--- just blowing off a bit of steam ---

Region complex and South Asia is obviously a bit different than the traditional def of the Middle East, but at least here I believe that people will likely understand a bit more, vs having to "dumb it down in the workplace".   

Like the direction you are exploring and do not pretend to be an expert in any way shape or form, plus forgot so much of my college studies from many years back in the dayz....

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Meanwhile, alleged political conflicts between Iran and Pakistan following the Taliban Cabinet Position announcements.

This follows only a few days after the IRI "condemned" Pakistan for assaulting "Panjshir".

Wouldn't be hard for Iran to "turn up the heat" a notch to pressure the new TB GVMT, and although likely much of this posing, reality is that the new TB GVMT is heavily dependent upon Iranian Oil flowing through to keep the Power Plants running, especially with only so much in the way of Hydro-resources.

Thing is with the Taliban 2.0, they are trying to create a sort of "interfaith" religious scholar council, but gonna be pretty hard to do that if the whole Sunni-Shiite rivalries start creating not only serious issues within Afghanistan, but also potentially even spreading into Pakistan.

More reason why we should have signed a new deal with Iran mere days into Biden’s presidency.

Believe I have been consistent in my perspective that the Bush Jr Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan only enhanced the reactionary forces within Iran.

The deliberate destruction of the Baathist Regime in Iraq, created a massive destabilization of the entire region, not to mention significant shifts within the more extremist wings of the armed military-political formations of various actors, which fundamentally was "blowback" from the dayz of Ronald Reagan and the entire US National Security Establishment that supported, funded, and sub-contracted international terrorism as part of a proxy war against the Soviet Union.

It is amazing the paucity of knowledge and history that the average Atlas Poster has, when it actually comes to fundamental global transformative events.

Not talking about you man--- just blowing off a bit of steam ---

Region complex and South Asia is obviously a bit different than the traditional def of the Middle East, but at least here I believe that people will likely understand a bit more, vs having to "dumb it down in the workplace".   

Like the direction you are exploring and do not pretend to be an expert in any way shape or form, plus forgot so much of my college studies from many years back in the dayz....

It's obvious that the wars did nothing to make us more safe and were just to funnel trillions of dollars to the military industrial complex. The one worthwhile thing we did post 9/11 was lock the cockpit doors. Everything else was garbage.

[Middle-aged Europe]

The Taliban have announced the new government for Afghanistan. Despite previous assurances that it would be an "inclusive" cabinet in which all relevant groups of Afghan society are represented, it is now - huge surprise - an all-male, all-Taliban one:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58484155

The new interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is also wanted by the FBI as a terrorist with a reward of up to ten million dollars.

[CumbrianLefty]

So... here's an interesting back-story regarding the Younger Brother of Massoud Sr.  which I was not aware of previously, but as Karzai's VP absconded with tons of cash from Afghanistan.

This is from a seasoned reporter for The Times (UK), who seems like he knows his s**t.

https://twitter.com/RichardJSpencer/status/1434759060482572292?s=20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Zia_Massoud

I mean you can't really blame someone who died for something their brother did after they died.

Is anybody doing that though?

[Middle-aged Europe]

Women protest again in Kabul against new all-male government:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58490819

[NOVA Green]

Meanwhile, alleged political conflicts between Iran and Pakistan following the Taliban Cabinet Position announcements.

This follows only a few days after the IRI "condemned" Pakistan for assaulting "Panjshir".

Wouldn't be hard for Iran to "turn up the heat" a notch to pressure the new TB GVMT, and although likely much of this posing, reality is that the new TB GVMT is heavily dependent upon Iranian Oil flowing through to keep the Power Plants running, especially with only so much in the way of Hydro-resources.

Thing is with the Taliban 2.0, they are trying to create a sort of "interfaith" religious scholar council, but gonna be pretty hard to do that if the whole Sunni-Shiite rivalries start creating not only serious issues within Afghanistan, but also potentially even spreading into Pakistan.

Bit obscure but Iran is continuing to hit Pakistan on what appear to be complete fake news stories regarding Pakistani Military Forces supporting the TB to take out the Panjshiri resistance.

https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1435720658491748353?s=20

https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1435535198058389505?s=20

[NOVA Green]

Meanwhile... since the US Population is acting just like the Russian Population after mutually failed adventures in Afghanistan, here is yet another article regarding some of the context behind the deterioration of Iranian GVMT- Taliban....

This naturally comes out within the context of the Taliban Cabinet announcements, as well as the "Panjshiri situation", which I had previously mention the other day, where the IRI was practically accusing the TB of direct assaults on Panjshiri Rebel formations....

Nobody cares on USGD... hence just keeping this on the IGD thread, so hopefully the Trolls don't jump into the mix from the other side.   

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/after-a-short-honeymoon-are-iran-taliban-relations-deteriorating-49838

[WMS]

There was an United Nations Security Council Resolution on Afghanistan not too long ago.
Of note:

4. Reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities, encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, that responds to the desire of Afghans to sustain and build on Afghanistan’s gains over the last twenty years in adherence to the rule of law, and underlines that all parties must respect their obligations;

The vote was 13-0-2.

Guess who abstained.

Just pointing that out.

[WMS]

I wonder what Anand Gopal has to say about this?

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/ahmad-shah-massoud-tombstone-vandalised-taliban-afghanistan-1850919-2021-09-09

[Filuwaúrdjan]

What an extremely stupid thing to do.

[NOVA Green]

Haven't posted many recent updates from Panjshir for a couple days for multiple reasons:

1.) The shift from more of "traditional" military conflict has now shifted to a what is essentially a "small scale" guerrilla warfare style of tactics, where what is likely a relatively small number of actual armed Anti-TB combatants runs in the 100s and not the 1000s.

2.) TB has shifted to more a traditional anti "rural insurgency" strategy, while meanwhile many Internally Displaced People (IDP's) are left out of the areas of combat activity, while negotiating with former NRF political-military opponents for "safe passage" for civilians within the combat areas within Panjshir.

3.) It does appear that the TB did actually have some level of support within Panjshir itself, which is where they obtained a significant amount of HumINT, as well as certain collaborators, who did not agree with the strategy to take up an offensive armed struggle against the TB.

4.) Data is extremely lacking and what little we have from the NRF outlets generally tends to be the same BS and propaganda, which was much less accurate tbh than Pro-TB sources.

Meanwhile, the TB have one of their top military commanders who basically defeated ISKP for the most part running point in Panjshir.

https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1436449904595963904?s=20

5.) The evidence is also pretty clear that the "village militias" were not really interested in fighting against the TB, as evidenced by a significant # of military desertions.

This is not to say that the Panjishiris and Ethnic Tajiks in much larger numbers might join the armed struggle against the Taliban Regime in the future, but what it does indicate is that really like most Afghanis the population is tired of war and political corruption and willing to look towards the future....

[NOVA Green]

Meanwhile early reports of a massive crackdown against the Salafist movement in Afghanistan:

https://twitter.com/abdsayedd/status/1436325546808459267?s=20

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salafi_movement

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Meanwhile early reports of a massive crackdown against the Salafist movement in Afghanistan:

https://twitter.com/abdsayedd/status/1436325546808459267?s=20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salafi_movement

I'm actually quite curious and concerned to what exactly might have been coming out of those masjid's and madrassa's for the Afghan Taliban of all people to consider too extreme.

[WMS]

What an extremely stupid thing to do.

Sadly, the Taliban, horrifying as they are, appear to be doing their best to piss away what goodwill they have for ending the war. Crap like this is why there’ll be yet another round of civil war in the future.

[CumbrianLefty]

What an extremely stupid thing to do.

Sadly, the Taliban, horrifying as they are, appear to be doing their best to piss away what goodwill they have for ending the war. Crap like this is why there’ll be yet another round of civil war in the future.

Apple, tree, etc etc.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

4.) Data is extremely lacking and what little we have from the NRF outlets generally tends to be the same BS and propaganda, which was much less accurate tbh than Pro-TB sources.

Things don't look good for the NRF if they have to basically lie to keep morale up.

[Silent Hunter]

Women protest again in Kabul against new all-male government:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58490819

Even Donald Trump had a more diverse government, by miles, than this lot.

[WMS]

What an extremely stupid thing to do.

Sadly, the Taliban, horrifying as they are, appear to be doing their best to piss away what goodwill they have for ending the war. Crap like this is why there’ll be yet another round of civil war in the future.

Apple, tree, etc etc.

Not sure which exact point you’re making.

If it’s that the U.S. botched a chance to end the Afghanistan wars by not accepting the Taliban’s surrender among other failures, you are quite right - although a lot of those failures were not exactly covered well by the media and/or were covered up, which just makes it all worse.

If the point is that the Taliban were created by the U.S. that’s not accurate: that can be laid at the feet of the Pakistani ISI. The U.S., especially between 1992 and 2001, wasn’t involved enough in Afghanistan to create anything, much less an entire powerful political/ethnic/religious/military force like the Taliban. That caused its own set of problems, but not this particular one.

[PSOL]

I suspect Afghanistan will behave very similarly to Burma, where the incompetent opposition to the government will squander the real opposition to the regime through a slight insurgency while having Radio Free Asia document their “successes”. Already the Taliban have gotten defections from Tajik commanders and they’re at their honeymoon period for at least 3-4 years once the Chinese money flows in.

The only way to make them have a bad time and cause real disruptions is through getting the former Central Asian Republics and Iran(ian proxies) to coordinate with one another. Again, why is the Biden Administration not restarting JCPOA soon?

[Silent Hunter]

The Taliban surrender was on condition of immunity from prosecution, wasn't it?

[PSOL]

Meanwhile early reports of a massive crackdown against the Salafist movement in Afghanistan:

https://twitter.com/abdsayedd/status/1436325546808459267?s=20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salafi_movement

I'm actually quite curious and concerned to what exactly might have been coming out of those masjid's and madrassa's for the Afghan Taliban of all people to consider too extreme.

Looks like after 21 years of being dragged on by their worldwide mess has left a sour taste for internationalism.

[WMS]

The Taliban surrender was on condition of immunity from prosecution, wasn't it?

Yes, but it might’ve been worth it to have twenty years of peace instead of war there. As much as I despise the Taliban and the ISI I don’t think there was ever a way to not have them involved short of war with Pakistan, which given that Western supply lines ran through them strikes me as a really bad idea, then and now.

I still want to remove Pakistan’s “major non-NATO ally” status though.