It’s Over By Walrus

Posted on August 15, 2021 by walrus

Twitter is reporting Taliban Leader Baradar is at the Presidential palace and will take over from Ghani who will resign.

What fate awaits our supporters?

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8 Responses to It’s Over By Walrus

  1. Mac says:
    August 15, 2021 at 9:44 am

    This is what is being sent out re Afghan cases:

    Repatriation Assistance for IV Holders and Certain Pending IV Applicants ? August 14, 2021
    The U.S. Embassy is exploring options for Immigrant Visa (IV) holders and certain IV applicants pending scheduling for an interview but who are otherwise documentarily complete who want to depart and have not been able to find a seat on commercial flights. This notice is to solicit information from IV holders and certain pending IV applicants that wish to utilize such options. If you have an existing flight booked, do not cancel that booking. The Embassy cannot guarantee charter flights will be available and urges U.S. citizens, IV holders, and certain pending IV applicants to take advantage of commercial flights now as airports could experience unexpected closures with little to no warning.
    If you are an IV holder or pending IV applicant who has an approved petition and has submitted all required documents to the National Visa Center or you have been interviewed and your case is pending at Embassy Kabul, fill out this Repatriation Assistance Request so the U.S. Embassy can contact you for further processing and register your interest in any option that might be identified for relocating to the United States. For Question 7 provide your visa number or NVC or KBL case number.

    Only IV holders and pending IV applicants that meet the specifications will be contacted. Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight. This form is the only way to communicate interest in flight options. If we are able to arrange a flight, we will contact those who have indicated interest.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Afghan IV Holders: If you are an Afghan National with a valid Immigrant Visa you may be eligible. If your family members do not have U.S. citizenship, LPR status, a valid U.S. visa, or pending IV application (see point 2) they are not eligible to travel with you, do not include their information in your relocation request form.
    Certain Pending Afghan IV Applicants: If you are an Afghan National with an approved petition and have submitted all required documents to the National Visa Center or you have been interviewed and your case is pending at Embassy Kabul you may be eligible. IV applicants should provide their NVC case number with the request and must have a valid passport for travel. IV applicants can only be considered if they have an approved USCIS petition and have submitted all required documents to the National Visa Center and are documentarily complete or have been interviewed and are pending further action at Embassy Kabul. If your family members do not have U.S. citizenship, LPR status, a valid U.S. visa, or pending IV application that meets these requirements they are not eligible to travel with you, do not include their information in your relocation request form.
    Documents: All passengers should have valid travel documents required for entry into the United States (e.g. valid passports or visas). Please bring any civil documents that may be relevant for your IV.

    • Fred says:
      August 15, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      Get to Mexico then walk across the Southern border. The border is wide open. The Biden administration is only considering stopping Americans from traveling across state lines, not foreigners.

  2. Lelush says:
    August 15, 2021 at 10:13 am

    I do not think the Taliban will seek revenge on anybody, except on people who have committed atrocities against them, like Dostum ( in case they could put their hands on him…), as their goal, IMHO, is to gain international legitimacy by reaching an arrangement, in the style of that achieved at one point by Hezbollah in Lebanon, for an inclusive share of power with any Afghani party or faction for a future in peace….at least that is what transpires from its spokepersons´statements…

  3. Lelush says:
    August 15, 2021 at 11:36 am

    Footage of Taliban already holding a meeting at Kabul´s presidential palace…it seems they have put themselves to work immediately….

    https://twitter.com/301_AD/status/1426846143422533632

  4. Suresh Syed says:
    August 15, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
    A few quick thoughts:
    Are the Taliban agreement capable? – Check Flashman’s account of the negotiations between Elphinstone and Akbar Khan and what followed in Flashman
    Is it a Pyrhric victory for Pakistan? You have Pakhonistan divided by the Durand Line – what if the Pathans decide to reunite? That would be the end of Pakistan, and an obvious card to play by India. And if the US and UK want revenge for their defeat?
    Kabul airport already is under fire and an obvious choke point. . As the next government what if the Taliban declare that there want to check who leaves. What if we have Teheran 2021?
    For the next adventure – Iran? the US will be w/o friends. The Brits have decided to turn to the open sea. India is ready for a RN base at Cochin.

  5. Leith says:
    August 15, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Walrus –

    Baradar is the leader of the political office of the Taliban. He is not the leader of the Taliban, although he may get the job as President. That position will have scaled down responsibility. Baradar was the lead in the Taliban negotiating team that worked out the deal for the Doha Agreement in February 2020. He had been in Pakistani Custody since 2010 until 2018 when the US State Department’s special representative Zalmay Khalizad asked for his release.

    The real power in the Taliban is Hibatullah Akhundzada, aka the Commander of the Faithful.

    But no matter who is in charge, and despite promises to the contrary, they will not be able to stop retribution, or revenge killings, or any other atrocities by the lower ranks. Or by hardline splinter groups that want to turn back the clock by 14 centuries.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doha_Agreement_(2020)

    https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/pakistan-frees-taliban-co-founder-at-us-request-will-play-constructive-role-in-afghan-peace-initiative

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

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