Media digs in against withdrawing our troops from anywhere ever again

Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 3:35pm

Two weeks ago I said the MIC had every incentive to botch the Afghanistan withdrawal. If it went smoothly, who knows which militarily occupied nation we might pull out of next?
The news media went into overtime trying to create a climate of fear that we should never pull our troops out of anywhere ever again.

So there you go. The Iraqis are terrified of the U.S. withdrawing our troops, doncha know?
Except that the reality is the opposite.

Iraq has asked the United States to begin the process of planning the withdrawal of its troops from the country, five days after the Iraqi Parliament voted to end the long-standing American military presence there in the wake of the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
...
The prime minister also said the U.S. has been moving troops into the country and operating drones without authorization and contrary to an agreement between the two countries.

However, later Friday, Pompeo indicated that the troops would remain in the country, saying that the U.S. would continue its mission to help train Iraqi security forces and counter the Islamic State militant group.
The U.S. announced it was sending 3,000 more troops to the Middle East last week after thousands of people, some aligned to Iranian-backed militias, protested at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and gained access to a reception area.

So more than a year ago, the Iraqis asked us to leave and we told them to stuff it. We're staying as long as we like. Which is the sort of thing that "good guys" do, right?
Well, that was before the "disastrous and shameful withdrawal" in Afghanistan.
Surely those images the media focused on changed their minds.
Actually, no. This is from last week.

Iraq is ready for the withdrawal of US forces from the country, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced yesterday, stressing that his country had "all the forces and means to fight terrorism."
...Responding to the possibility of maintaining a limited contingent of US forces in Iraq, Hussein explained that there was a "clear agreement on the withdrawal of the US combat units," noting that "some other units are still there helping the Iraqi government and security services in every way possible, including training and exchanging information."

Obviously the Iraqi government didn't get the memo. You're supposed to want out troops in your country, even after we've spent 30 years destroying your country.
But even more significant, the American people didn't get the memo.

The new poll shows that 77 percent of respondents support the decision to withdraw all U.S. forces. The support goes across party lines, with 88 percent of Democratic respondents, 74 percent of Republican ones and 76 percent of independents polled supporting the withdrawal.

In spite of one of the most comprehensive propaganda efforts by our "free and independent press" to stir up support for our pointless wars of imperialism, it seems the American people in bipartisan opinion don't buy it.

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Submitted by CB on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 6:54pm

The Afghanistan withdrawal dosen't include peace.

The U.S. Has A Plan For What's Next in Afghanistan - It Does Not Include Peace
August 31, 2021

Secretary Antony Blinken @SecBlinken - 1:34 UTC · Aug 31, 2021

I want to drive home today that America’s work in Afghanistan continues. We have a plan for what’s next, and we’re putting it into action.

The codename for the plan which Secretary Blinken is putting into action has not been officially released. It will likely be called "Eternal Revenge" or something similar.

The U.S. is not a good loser. Nor are President Biden and Blinken. They will take revenge for the public outcry their chaotic evacuation of troops and civilians from Afghanistan has caused. The Taliban will be blamed for it...
...

Why U.S. Plans For Revenge In Afghanistan May Not Succeed
September 04, 2021

The U.S. does not want piece in Afghanistan. There are two reasons for that.

The first is vengefulness.

That an alleged superpower gets kicked out of a country by some local guerilla is too hard to accept. That the rush to the exit has happened in a rather humiliating way, even when caused by U.S. incompetence and not by the Taliban, only reinforces that.

The vengefulness could already be seen in last days of the U.S. occupation. The U.S. forces leaving Kabul not only destroyed military equipment but also the civilian part of the airport.

Murad Gazdiev @MuradGazdiev - 16:06 UTC · Sep 1, 2021

US troops wrecked both civilian terminals as they evacuated from Kabul airport.
All the security cameras were broken, computers destroyed, many glass panes shattered. Electrical cabling was cut, the x-ray machines were broken and even arrival/departure screens overturned Images

The second reason why the U.S. does not want peace in Afghanistan is geopolitical. As the former Indian ambassador M.K.Bhadrakumar analyses:

US intelligence has made deep ingresses into the Taliban and has gained the capability to splinter it, weaken it and subdue it, when the crunch time comes. Suffice to say, Taliban will not have an easy time ahead. Washington’s interest lies in creating a “stateless” situation in the country without a functioning central government so that it can intervene at will and pursue its geopolitical objectives aimed at the regional countries.

The unspoken agenda here is to start a hybrid war where the ISIS fighters airlifted by the US from Syria and transferred to Afghanistan, with battle-hardened veterans from Central Asia, Xinjiang, North Caucasus, etc. operating in the regions surrounding Afghanistan.

Russia has recognized the danger as its President Vladimir Putin yesterday explained:

"In the event of [Afghanistan’s] disintegration, there will be nobody to talk to in Afghanistan. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (outlawed in Russia) and many others in the territory of Afghanistan pose a threat to our allies and neighbors. And if we remember that we have no visa restrictions and cross-border travel is actually free, it will be clear that for us, for Russia, all this has great importance from the standpoint of maintaining our security," Putin said.

It means that the U.S. moves will be countered. ISIS in east Afghanistan has already been defeated once. Without access to Afghanistan the U.S. will have trouble to insert more fighters to it.
...

Mackinder's postulation is still valued.

The Heartland Theory:

Who rules Eastern Europe commands the Heartland
Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island
Who rules the World Island commands the world

I believe this is part of the "Pivot to China".

Submitted by NYCVG on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 7:02pm

The Pivot to China

@CB is a fantasy that has failed.

China's new Silk Road, a/k/a Belt and Road is thriving and the New SuperPower.

We lost the battle in Afghanistan and the War. Now, we are busy having a tantrum. freezing Afghanistan's funds. sieges, blockades, punishments, sanctions, etc.

Meanwhile our allies are now saying that America is a Power. Just not the SuperPower. And by the way, we ALL offer Health CARE. Not "access" or insurance.

Everybody knows. Everybody will pay.

Most of all our lower income population.

The U.S. Has A Plan For What's Next in Afghanistan - It Does Not Include Peace August 31, 2021 Secretary Antony Blinken @SecBlinken - 1:34 UTC · Aug 31, 2021 I want to drive home today that America’s work in Afghanistan continues. We have a plan for what’s next, and we’re putting it into action. The codename for the plan which Secretary Blinken is putting into action has not been officially released. It will likely be called "Eternal Revenge" or something similar. The U.S. is not a good loser. Nor are President Biden and Blinken. They will take revenge for the public outcry their chaotic evacuation of troops and civilians from Afghanistan has caused. The Taliban will be blamed for it... ... Why U.S. Plans For Revenge In Afghanistan May Not Succeed September 04, 2021 The U.S. does not want piece in Afghanistan. There are two reasons for that. The first is vengefulness. That an alleged superpower gets kicked out of a country by some local guerilla is too hard to accept. That the rush to the exit has happened in a rather humiliating way, even when caused by U.S. incompetence and not by the Taliban, only reinforces that. The vengefulness could already be seen in last days of the U.S. occupation. The U.S. forces leaving Kabul not only destroyed military equipment but also the civilian part of the airport. Murad Gazdiev @MuradGazdiev - 16:06 UTC · Sep 1, 2021 US troops wrecked both civilian terminals as they evacuated from Kabul airport. All the security cameras were broken, computers destroyed, many glass panes shattered. Electrical cabling was cut, the x-ray machines were broken and even arrival/departure screens overturned Images The second reason why the U.S. does not want peace in Afghanistan is geopolitical. As the former Indian ambassador M.K.Bhadrakumar analyses: US intelligence has made deep ingresses into the Taliban and has gained the capability to splinter it, weaken it and subdue it, when the crunch time comes. Suffice to say, Taliban will not have an easy time ahead. Washington’s interest lies in creating a “stateless” situation in the country without a functioning central government so that it can intervene at will and pursue its geopolitical objectives aimed at the regional countries. The unspoken agenda here is to start a hybrid war where the ISIS fighters airlifted by the US from Syria and transferred to Afghanistan, with battle-hardened veterans from Central Asia, Xinjiang, North Caucasus, etc. operating in the regions surrounding Afghanistan. Russia has recognized the danger as its President Vladimir Putin yesterday explained: "In the event of [Afghanistan’s] disintegration, there will be nobody to talk to in Afghanistan. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (outlawed in Russia) and many others in the territory of Afghanistan pose a threat to our allies and neighbors. And if we remember that we have no visa restrictions and cross-border travel is actually free, it will be clear that for us, for Russia, all this has great importance from the standpoint of maintaining our security," Putin said. It means that the U.S. moves will be countered. ISIS in east Afghanistan has already been defeated once. Without access to Afghanistan the U.S. will have trouble to insert more fighters to it. ... Mackinder's postulation is still valued. The Heartland Theory: Who rules Eastern Europe commands the Heartland Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island Who rules the World Island commands the world I believe this is part of the "Pivot to China".

—

NYCVG

Submitted by CB on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 7:48pm

Don't sell the Blob in Washington short

@NYCVG
It is absolutely imperative that they put a crimp in the BRI initiative and Afghanistan stands at the very heart of the New Silk Road. It will be a "Do or Die" proposition. The 'Blob' doesn't give a fuck about American citizens - especially those who are in the 2nd to 4th quartile in income. They are solely focused on maintaining American global hegemony, for without that the US loses it's very raison d'être - it will no longer be the one exceptional country by pillaging the world resources.

Note: italics mine -

Obama, July 25, 2013:
What makes us special — a lot of times we talk about American exceptionalism and how much we love this country, and there are so many wonderful things about our country. But what makes us the envy of the world has not just been our ability to generate incredible wealth for a few people; it’s the fact that we’ve given everybody a chance to pursue their own true measure of happiness. (Applause.) That’s who we are.

The Blob definition: the neocon/neoliberal infested Military-Industrial-Corporate-Complex-Matrix (MICCM).

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 7:27pm

Another reason to keep Afghanistan fractured

@CB

is so China, Russia and any other country that works with them will have to contend with terrorism and it will be harder to get the country back on its feet. Imagine where people there would be today if we hadn’t decided to meddle with it when Russia was helping them. Seems they have been stagnated in time for many decades.

Wasn’t fallujah destroyed during Obama after he pulled the troops out the first time? If so that’s a funny way to defeat terrorism. Using depleted uranium bombs that are and will make heinous birth defects continue for a very long time. Yeah I can see why they want us to leave.

I still get sick thinking of what Bush Sr did to tens of thousands of men returning to Iraq after Kuwait. The highway of death indeed.

The U.S. Has A Plan For What's Next in Afghanistan - It Does Not Include Peace August 31, 2021 Secretary Antony Blinken @SecBlinken - 1:34 UTC · Aug 31, 2021 I want to drive home today that America’s work in Afghanistan continues. We have a plan for what’s next, and we’re putting it into action. The codename for the plan which Secretary Blinken is putting into action has not been officially released. It will likely be called "Eternal Revenge" or something similar. The U.S. is not a good loser. Nor are President Biden and Blinken. They will take revenge for the public outcry their chaotic evacuation of troops and civilians from Afghanistan has caused. The Taliban will be blamed for it... ... Why U.S. Plans For Revenge In Afghanistan May Not Succeed September 04, 2021 The U.S. does not want piece in Afghanistan. There are two reasons for that. The first is vengefulness. That an alleged superpower gets kicked out of a country by some local guerilla is too hard to accept. That the rush to the exit has happened in a rather humiliating way, even when caused by U.S. incompetence and not by the Taliban, only reinforces that. The vengefulness could already be seen in last days of the U.S. occupation. The U.S. forces leaving Kabul not only destroyed military equipment but also the civilian part of the airport. Murad Gazdiev @MuradGazdiev - 16:06 UTC · Sep 1, 2021 US troops wrecked both civilian terminals as they evacuated from Kabul airport. All the security cameras were broken, computers destroyed, many glass panes shattered. Electrical cabling was cut, the x-ray machines were broken and even arrival/departure screens overturned Images The second reason why the U.S. does not want peace in Afghanistan is geopolitical. As the former Indian ambassador M.K.Bhadrakumar analyses: US intelligence has made deep ingresses into the Taliban and has gained the capability to splinter it, weaken it and subdue it, when the crunch time comes. Suffice to say, Taliban will not have an easy time ahead. Washington’s interest lies in creating a “stateless” situation in the country without a functioning central government so that it can intervene at will and pursue its geopolitical objectives aimed at the regional countries. The unspoken agenda here is to start a hybrid war where the ISIS fighters airlifted by the US from Syria and transferred to Afghanistan, with battle-hardened veterans from Central Asia, Xinjiang, North Caucasus, etc. operating in the regions surrounding Afghanistan. Russia has recognized the danger as its President Vladimir Putin yesterday explained: "In the event of [Afghanistan’s] disintegration, there will be nobody to talk to in Afghanistan. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (outlawed in Russia) and many others in the territory of Afghanistan pose a threat to our allies and neighbors. And if we remember that we have no visa restrictions and cross-border travel is actually free, it will be clear that for us, for Russia, all this has great importance from the standpoint of maintaining our security," Putin said. It means that the U.S. moves will be countered. ISIS in east Afghanistan has already been defeated once. Without access to Afghanistan the U.S. will have trouble to insert more fighters to it. ... Mackinder's postulation is still valued. The Heartland Theory: Who rules Eastern Europe commands the Heartland Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island Who rules the World Island commands the world I believe this is part of the "Pivot to China".

Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 7:59pm

Fallujah

@snoopydawg

Wasn’t fallujah destroyed during Obama after he pulled the troops out the first time?

Fallujah was bombed in 1991.
Fallujah was decimated the first time in 2004. It was decimated again in 2016.

Submitted by CB on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 8:28pm

Fallujah was terrorized by the American coalition in 1991

@gjohnsit
The people's response to

Violence in Fallujah: Poisoned Fruit of US Occupation?

Contrary to conventional wisdom, US actions in Fallujah during – and even before – the Iraq War probably played a role in bringing the latest eruption of violence to the city.
...
First Encounters

Jeremy Scahill devotes a chapter of his book, Blackwater, to summarizing reportage on events in Fallujah in the early days of the Iraq War. Scahill actually begins with a story from February 13, 1991, during the first Gulf War. He notes that Fallujah was the site of an errant bombing by British pilots in the United States-led “coalition of the willing.” The poorly aimed airstrikes hit a crowded apartment complex and a market, killing more than 130 people, according to local hospital officials.

Scahill suggests that the bombing was probably still on the minds of some Fallujans as they began to protest the occupation of their city 12 years later. The first of these protests ended in bloodshed, after frightened American soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division fired on Iraqi demonstrators in front of a school converted into a military headquarters on April 28, 2003. A similar incident occurred again on April 30 at a US command post in the city’s former Baath Party headquarters.
...

Submitted by NYCVG on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 6:55pm

It's Not a Disaster

if Profits were high.

Only a disaster if you value human life. Other than the high life of our privileged class.

Let's ask why vengeance and punishment and blockades and sieges and sabotages come into the picture. And if there is a way out of the vicious cycle we are in.

—

NYCVG

Submitted by yellopig on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:51pm

The country I live in

is run by psychopaths. I grieve.

May all the gods help us, and move us, to a position where we can help ourselves.

—

“We may not be able to change the system, but we can make the system irrelevant in our lives and in the lives of those around us.”—John Beckett

Submitted by Dawn's Meta on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 7:52am

After reading as much as I could handle, the weight of

things still seems to be that Biden wanted/wants the US out of Afghanistan.

There are confounders to this line of thinking: the number, which we don't seem to know, of contractors, mercenaries and other types we fund in there still; the over-the-horizen drone work we continue to rain down.

Ok, all that being said and more, could this have been Biden's Bay of Pigs? If we postulate he really did want out, and the botched retrenchment was the Deep State or the MIC or both (I really can't suss out if the MIC wanted us out or not - some higher military types have been saying it was unwinnable and we should get out) maybe the mayhem on the way out was a plan to force Biden to keep or add to the military presence back in Afghanistan.

As for destroying the airport, what a weird and sick thing to do. Many photos exist of miles of equipment obviously usable or at least road worthy still there.

Maybe we left it because we thought we'd be back in a hot minute???

No fan of Biden, but like Trump, can be right if only accidental. Hmmm, The Accidental President.

—

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

Submitted by CB on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 9:29am

Biden is not capable of deciding what HE wants

@Dawn's Meta
It's the military and their enablers in Congress who do the deciding. I predict the US power structure will exacerbate the situation in Afghanistan in order to create as much grief and violence for Russia and China as they can. Just like in all the other nations in the ME and Africa they have destroyed/crippled in the last 4 decades. The majority of these conflicts have been created by the "Party of War" - the Democrats. But the scumbags on the opposite side are not much better.

We can already see them fomenting civil war. TPTB in the US want to impose as much costs to their existential enemies, Russia and China, as they can. You can bank on this.

Top US general expects civil war, terrorism resurgence & more American airstrikes in Afghanistan

Following the chaotic US withdrawal, there is a “very good probability” that Afghanistan will descend into civil war, Army General Mark Milley said, vowing to continue strike operations when “opportunities present themselves.”

“My military estimate is… that the conditions are likely to develop of a civil war,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Fox News' Jennifer Griffin on Saturday...
...
Milley expressed doubt that the Taliban will be able to establish a sustainable government, and warned that power vacuum and chaos could lead to resurgence of Al-Qaeda, Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and “other myriad” of terrorist groups. In order to keep America ‘safe’, President Joe Biden’s administration previously vowed to continue “over-the-horizon” counterterrorism missions, but Milley admitted that with no troops on the ground and crippled intel gathering capabilities, the US “will have to reestablish some human intelligence networks.”

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 10:12am

We are messing with people's millions.

You think they want to end forever wars? Think again. The profiteers of our forever wars are crying over this withdrawal - throwing a temper tantrum. We will get out of all of them - eventually. The will of the people will triumph - eventually.

—

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 10:29am

Gee, think of all the things we could do --

if we weren't fighting the Forever Wars...

—

The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.

Submitted by Marie on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 5:33pm

Related -

a seriously good article in the Prospect - Nemesis: Why the west was doomed to lose in Afghanistan by Anatol Lieven, Same reasons why the US was doomed to lose in Vietnam. - difference was that in Vietnam there was an existing and functional government that had widespread support.