Category Archives: Afghanistan

So much a head …

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Pat Lang

“Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told The Associated Press there would be no cooperation with Washington on going after the increasingly active Islamic State group affiliate in Afghanistan. IS has taken responsibility for a number of attacks, including a suicide … Continue reading →

 9,514 total views,  4 views today

Posted in Afghanistan | 1 Comment

Taliban – like watching a monkey f–k a football.

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Pat Lang

“The Taliban has no experience in delivering or maintaining existing state services, such as electricity or water, let alone tackling complex issues like setting macroeconomic policies. The immediate effects of the financial squeeze saw cash liquidity in Afghanistan drop, driving … Continue reading →

 9,748 total views,  4 views today

Posted in Afghanistan | 29 Comments

“Inside every —— there is an American trying to get out …”

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Pat Lang

I wrote the other day about the responsible job that I thought Austin, Milley and McCkenzie did in their testimony before Congress.  I stand by that judgment but would like to expand my thought in that post. Several times during … Continue reading →

 25,238 total views,  11 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, Borg Wars, government, History, Iraq, Middle East, Religion, The Military Art | 44 Comments

Counterinsurgency – a much failed strategy? (Originally published on SST in 2013. Re-published on the occasion of our 2021 defeat)

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Pat Lang

Some time ago (2009)  I was asked to encapsulate my views on the afghan policy situation.  The resulting summary is quoted below.  Since policy has clearly gone in a different direction I feel free to state my view for the … Continue reading →

 16,772 total views,  11 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Policy, The Military Art | 47 Comments

Not surprisingly the generals fought back to defend themselves.

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Pat Lang

“Top military officials wrapped up the second day of testimony on Capitol Hill over Joe Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal. In Wednesday’s House Armed Services Committee hearing, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin continued to contradict Biden’s … Continue reading →

 9,420 total views

Posted in Afghanistan, As The Borg Turns, Borg Wars, government, History, Policy, Politics, The Military Art | 23 Comments

State Department F-77 reports and U.S. citizens in Afghanistan

Posted on September 13, 2021 by willmann

By Robert Willmann Sitting over at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), formerly known as the General Accounting Office, is a report from October 2007 entitled: “State Department Evacuation and Preparations for Overseas Posts Can Be Improved”. The 62-page document, … Continue reading →

 4,757 total views,  8 views today

Posted in Administration, Afghanistan, As The Borg Turns, Current Affairs, government, Politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

“State Department obstruction of private rescue flights from Afghanistan revealed in leaked email” foxnews

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Pat Lang

“A Sept. 1 email that a State Department official sent to Montalvo underscores the extent to which private evacuation efforts have run into bureaucratic roadblocks.  “No independent charters are allowed to land at [Al Udeid Air Base], the military airbase … Continue reading →

 7,892 total views,  16 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, As The Borg Turns, government | 10 Comments

“Pakistan Air Force Drones Killed Afghan Resistance Group Spokesperson …” News 18

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Pat Lang

Comment: According to this Indian media outlet the Pakistan Air Force and ground forces have entered directly into the fighting to suppress the last flames of resistance to the jihadis. pl https://www.news18.com/news/world/pakistan-air-force-drones-killed-afghan-resistance-group-spokesperson-in-targeted-attack-4170572.html  10,969 total views,  8 views today

 10,969 total views,  8 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, Pakistan | 23 Comments

The Hazara and the Liwa Fatemiyoun – TTG

Posted on September 3, 2021 by TTG

This article leads to a PBS FRONTLINE documentary by Najibullah Quraishi that was released on 20 July. It highlights two threats to Taliban rule not emanating from the Panjshir Valley. The Hazara, like the Tajiks of the Panjshir Valley just … Continue reading →

 8,940 total views,  16 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, The Military Art, TTG | 35 Comments

The “Lion Cub”

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Pat Lang

“The only son of legendary rebel commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, nicknamed the “Lion of Panjshir” for repelling both the Soviets and the Taliban before his assassination by al-Qaeda in 2001, Massoud junior now represents the last hope that Afghanistan will not fall … Continue reading →

 6,998 total views,  13 views today

Posted in Afghanistan, The Military Art | 6 Comments