Seven Days in Kabul

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium

The video was of one dude slung underneath a Blackhawk. It was a SPI/E harness or something similar.

So the Taliban have Blackhawk helicopters now? That seems....not great. I guess its good that they aren't using them to hang people...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

So the Taliban have Blackhawk helicopters now? That seems....not great.

I'm gonna guess that they don't have many that are serviceable, I might be wrong.

Also, I don't reckon there are a tonne of Taliban that can fly them. Did the ANA have a large cadre of pilots?

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I'm gonna guess that they don't have many that are serviceable, I might be wrong.

Also, I don't reckon there are a tonne of Taliban that can fly them. Did the ANA have a large cadre of pilots?

The literacy rate in that country is 43%, and I'm guessing a lot of those are younger women (i.e. not Taliban).

https://uil.unesco.org/interview-lit...3%20per%20cent.

This was a substantial problem from the Afghan army - not only couldn't the officers document anything, there were reports they couldn't even count.

Not only that, but Frotan says commanders often had trouble filing simple paperwork to give soldiers time off.

"They don't have enough knowledge, so they cannot make a good schedule for their vacation," Frotan said. So with no proper time off, that meant burnout among the troops, which led to high attrition rates.

Years ago, a U.S. general told us that not only couldn't many of the Afghan officers read or write, but they couldn't count. He said the Americans at times would draw a large rectangle in the dirt, telling the officers they needed enough soldiers to fill that space.

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/20/10294...he-reasons-why

Even if the Taliban are marginally better educated (I doubt it), I wouldn't worry too much about them using helicopters.

[Izzle]

I read that the Taliban are disappointed at the inoperable nature of most of the equipment left behind. I doubt they have the technical know how to operate and maintain the equipment.

[nik-]

It could all be totally operable and in six months they wouldn't be able to use any of it. This just saves them time getting to the inevitable conclusion.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Another hero

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/...x=1630379274-1

I'm praying they make it.

They didn't, as reported by The Telegraph.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1433438121559998467

They got caught the border of an unnamed country (only a couple of possibilities, really) today.

[FlamesAddiction]

That sucks.

Good on Tajikistan for opening up to a significant number considering their limited means to take care of them.

Not sure on the situations in other bordering countries, so I am not judging one way or another. I wish they would all open their borders obviously, but I can't say I know enough about the issues associated with it.

[Locke]

Ah Tajikistan! That oft-overlooked little country!

Tajikistan is the hero here. TAJIKISTAN.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Izzle

I read that the Taliban are disappointed at the inoperable nature of most of the equipment left behind. I doubt they have the technical know how to operate and maintain the equipment.

They may not use it as it was designed to be used but I’m sure it will be used, underestimating and/or thinking you’re smarter than your adversary is the mistake that was made in the first place

[Baron von Kriterium]

With respect to the Taliban's new found loot, yes, they have a sizeable new arsenal, but...

- It’s not as large as some reports are saying;
- They can’t use all of it;
- They can use a lot of it;
- They probably can't maintain all of it; and
- They probably can maintain a lot of it.

The Sunday Times had a graphic that showed 33 x UH-60 Blackhawks in the Taliban's inventory. However, there is only an accounting of seven. Four or serviceable; three are not. But, someone is flying the Blackhawks; I doubt it's Taliban, though. Probably ex-ANA guys. The Blackhawks were over-maintained in Afghanistan so they should be ok for awhile. They can cannibalize the current broken fleet assuming they have mechs. I doubt they do.

The Mi17s are the intriguing items, not the Blackhawks. Parts and expertise are in Pakistan or they can hire mercenaries.

The aforementioned Times graphic has +30,000 Humvees, MRAPs, etc in the Taliban motor pool. But, the verified number is 2086 (106 destroyed; 1980 captured). There isn't really anything unique about these vehicles from a maintenance perspective. Here, too, they can cannibalize deadheads to keep the runners on the road.

Can they use a D-30 howitzer in an indirect fire mode? No, but they can use them in a direct fire role.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Just remember...

[CaptainCrunch]

Is global affairs out of their god damn minds?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1435040676836687877

[bob-loblaw]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Is global affairs out of their god damn minds?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1435040676836687877

Yes, they are.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

The literacy rate in that country is 43%, and I'm guessing a lot of those are younger women (i.e. not Taliban).

https://uil.unesco.org/interview-lit...3%20per%20cent.

This was a substantial problem from the Afghan army - not only couldn't the officers document anything, there were reports they couldn't even count.



https://www.npr.org/2021/08/20/10294...he-reasons-why

Even if the Taliban are marginally better educated (I doubt it), I wouldn't worry too much about them using helicopters.

What are the cultural conditions present that ensure people with above average leadership skills (officers) do not have the ability to count?

[Baron von Kriterium]

This is a strong list of maniacs. Meet the new Taliban, same as the old Taliban. They are all Pashtun and many of the "new leaders" were leaders pre-9/11. Many are also on UN sanctions list.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1435249739826597889

In March 2008, just one week after signing the Doha deal, the Taliban issued a fatwa announcing that Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, emir, was the “lawful ruler” of Afghanistan.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archi...fghanistan.php

The most important positions are held by Mullah Haibatullah's last deputy emirs:
Acting Minister of Defense: Mullah Yaqoub (Mullah Omar's son)
Acting Minister of Interior: Sirajuddin Haqqani (Jalaluddin's son)

Sirajuddin Haqqani is a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Most "analysts" predicted Mullah Baradar would be the new Taliban leader. Nope.
Head of State: Mullah Hassan Akhund
First Deputy: Mullah Baradar

Hassan and Baradar were Taliban leaders prior to 9/11. Hassan is known for approving the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas.

Four Gunatanamo detainees given leadership positions:
Minister for Information and Culture: Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah
Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs: Mullah Noorullah Noori
Chief of Army Staff: Mohammad Fazl
Director of Intelligence: Abdul Haq Wasiq

Khairkhah, Noori, Fazi, and Wasiq were exchanged for Sgt Berghdal. For more info, see the link:
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archi...ergdahl_ex.php

One more of many interesting appointments: Mullah Taj Mir Jawad is Deputy Intelligence Chief.
He led what used to be known as the Kabul Attack Network, which organized the various jihadist groups, including Al Qaeda, in and around Kabul. A Haqqani Man.

Acting Minister of Public Works: Mullah Abdul Manan Omari, who is Mullah Omar's brother.

Minister of Refugees: Khalil Haqqani: He is a specially designated Global Terrorist with close ties to Al Qaeda. He is Sirajuddin's uncle and Jalaluddin's brother. Khalil has aided and “acted on behalf of” Al Qaeda’s military.

[Firebot]

"Our brothers" - Maryam Monsef

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by Firebot

"Our brothers" - Maryam Monsef

This is taken out of context. In Islam, a fellow muslim is called a "brother". She was referring to them as that when she was asking them to treat women and minorities fairly and allow safe passage for Afghans who want to leave.

She hates the taliban, and wants them not to be in power.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

This is taken out of context. In Islam, a fellow muslim is called a "brother". She was referring to them as that when she was asking them to treat women and minorities fairly and allow safe passage for Afghans who want to leave.

She hates the taliban, and wants them not to be in power.

Perhaps, but you need to read the room and the room wasn't in a mood to accept that turn of phrase.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

This is taken out of context. In Islam, a fellow muslim is called a "brother". She was referring to them as that when she was asking them to treat women and minorities fairly and allow safe passage for Afghans who want to leave.

She hates the taliban, and wants them not to be in power.

Do you acknowledge people who do unspeakably evil things as co-religionists though?

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Do you acknowledge people who do unspeakably evil things as co-religionists though?

No clue. Just trying to explain that her calling them brothers is not like a westerner calling someone a brother. Different meanings.