US signs historic peace deal with Taliban, Pompeo strikes cautious tone

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

Quote

 

The United States signed a historic peace treaty with Taliban militants on Saturday, aimed at ending an 18-year war that began after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke cautiously in front of Taliban leaders in Doha, Qatar, calling the agreement a “true test” of their commitment to peace.

 

“We will closely watch the Taliban’s compliance with their commitments and calibrate the pace of our withdrawal to their actions. This is how we will ensure that Afghanistan never again serves as a base for international terrorists,” he said.

Pompeo’s arrival in Doha, Qatar on Saturday followed reports that, just days earlier, he had informed a conference of U.S. ambassadors at the State Department that he was only attending the signing because President Trump has insisted on his participation, two people present told The Associated Press.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-signs-historic-peace-deal-with-taliban-pompeo-strikes-cautious-tone

 

I've never been a fan of foreign wars, but the idea of striking a peace deal with a group that attacked the US on 9/11 is an awful mistake.

 

Then again, we also know the history the US has with the Taliban prior to 9/11.

 

Leave Iraq, yes. Leave everywhere else in the Middle East, yes. Even Afghanistan, I guess, but signing a peace treaty with the Taliban? That's like spitting in the face of people who had friends and family die in 9/11. No, no, no. 

[TBoneTX 45,550]

Am reminded of this truism:  "A dead terrorist can rarely cause you future problems."

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,376]

3 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Am reminded of this truism:  "A dead terrorist can rarely cause you future problems."

And trump keeps winning 

[JoBri 548]

17 years to police a foreign country, and continue to bloody Americans? For what?? For us? For OUR good? My wife is the one who meets those flights carrying our wounded from that foreign country to provide them medical care, beginning on the flight line. Why? Just keep dumping more Americans into that place to get more dead and wounded... for OUR good? For the good of Americans? I also was there, for the pre-curser to all this. A very, very long time to be having Americans die and get severely wounded to fight an enemy who has fought over a thousand years before this and who will continue to fight whoever is THERE for another thousand years...  It is never-ending! 

 

I'm with Trump. Get the heck out of there

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

36 minutes ago, JoBri said:

17 years to police a foreign country, and continue to bloody Americans? For what?? For us? For OUR good? My wife is the one who meets those flights carrying our wounded from that foreign country to provide them medical care, beginning on the flight line. Why? Just keep dumping more Americans into that place to get more dead and wounded... for OUR good? For the good of Americans? I also was there, for the pre-curser to all this. A very, very long time to be having Americans die and get severely wounded to fight an enemy who has fought over a thousand years before this and who will continue to fight whoever is THERE for another thousand years...  It is never-ending! 

 

I'm with Trump. Get the heck out of there

Indeed. Note, however, that this isn't merely about getting out of Afghanistan. It's about signing a peace treaty with the Taliban. The same Taliban that harbored and protected Osama and AQ and said the US deserved 9/11.

 

If they're going to exit, just exit. 

[JoBri 548]

1 hour ago, Burnt Reynolds said:

Indeed. Note, however, that this isn't merely about getting out of Afghanistan. It's about signing a peace treaty with the Taliban. The same Taliban that harbored and protected Osama and AQ and said the US deserved 9/11.

 

If they're going to exit, just exit. 

Exit under fire? The peace treaty isn't going to last long, I'm sure of that. But it is not to help THEM, it is to help US. It is a feeble attempt to disengage from that region with the best chances we can while minimizing casualties for US, I believe. We can keep fighting, and lose even more. We can disengage without a treaty, and lose more. Or we can disengage with a treaty and HOPEFULLY lose less. And if I am hearing right, we can go right back after them if they dont honor the treaty while we disengage. I mean, there is that threat there, a chance to buy time, until we are clear of that place. I wish we could just whoop them to kingdom come. The former Soviet Union tried. They, the Russians, dont give a hoot about anybody, unlike the USA. They dont care about the innocent. But even with a non-existant moral compass like them, they couldnt defeat the Taliban. Far less likely we will ever defeat them. It was a mistake to stay there any longer than we did, after hitting them hard back in 2001. We should just knoxk the ####### out of people and move on, if we want to send a message. And forget about rebuilding countries or trying to change people who aren't ever going to change anyhow.

Edited March 1, 2020 by JoBri

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

20 minutes ago, JoBri said:

Exit under fire? The peace treaty isn't going to last long, I'm sure of that. But it is not to help THEM, it is to help US. It is a feeble attempt to disengage from that region with the best chances we can while minimizing casualties for US, I believe. We can keep fighting, and lose even more. We can disengage without a treaty, and lose more. Or we can disengage with a treaty and HOPEFULLY lose less. And if I am hearing right, we can go right back after them if they dont honor the treaty while we disengage. I mean, there is that threat there, a chance to buy time, until we are clear of that place. I wish we could just whoop them to kingdom come. The former Soviet Union tried. They, the Russians, dont give a hoot about anybody, unlike the USA. They dont care about the innocent. But even with a non-existant moral compass like them, they couldnt defeat the Taliban. Far less likely we will ever defeat them. It was a mistake to stay there any longer than we did, after hitting them hard back in 2001. We should just knoxk the ####### out of people and move on, if we want to send a message.

 

That's right. It was never a winning situation. You mentioned the Soviets. I thought the Soviets prior attempts cleared up that confusion. Was it a storybook exit from the Hindu Kush? You take out one bad person there, another bad person takes their place. 

 

It also doesn't help when one meddles there, hands billions and trains terrorists there, and is utterly surprised that this same knowledge and funds winds up being used against you by the same crazy people.

 

But again, what exactly is a peace treaty with the Taliban doing? You don't need a peace treaty with them to leave. A peace treaty with the Taliban is effectively a white flag. You don't need to "exit under fire", you just take your people and leave. The Soviets knew that just fine when they left. The storybook exit is a psychological implement aimed at justifying this awful, costly (financially and of American lives) foreign policy. They fearmongered the same way during the GWB administration about needing a slow and measured exit, and where are we now? Trillions more spent, thousands more dead, US image (whether the ability to negotiate with enemies, or allies, or to engage in a justified war) not any better. 

 

It's an awful idea to sign a peace treaty with the Taliban. Just leave. And if they want to cover for another OBL and 9/11 friends in AQ, blow them off the face of the Earth next time. The idea that one needs to torture themselves with a failed approach and endlessly take a beating for the pride of achieving some magical exit that won't happen is reckless and pointless. Especially when its partnered with people that don't mind lives being lost in the pursuit of riches.

Edited March 1, 2020 by Burnt Reynolds

[JoBri 548]

That's my unqualified opinion, here at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is that the treaty will give us a way out, without looking so weak, and also minimizing the damage to American and Afghan civilian personnel. But what do I know, really? I personally agree with Trump. Let's just hope and pray it is something good for the military. I know my wife struggles with the wounded she sees every week. Let's cheer for our military.

 

Let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago some US Special Forces came under attack in Afghanistan. Six were wounded and 2 were killed. My wife received the wounded on a C-17 out of Afghanistan. That is her job as a nurse. She receives them, evaluates them, transports them to the military hospital here, and then later assesses them for movement to the USA, and loads them up on the flight for that transport.Three of the wounded went to the intensive care unit. One of those not in intensive care "disappeared" for a bit. My wife couldnt find him. he had gone to intensive care to find his buddy to check on him. He made my wife promise they would all fly back home together to Joint Base Andrews. A few days later,  as my wife got them loaded on the C-17 all together, that one SF soldier squeezed my wife's hand. Whether it is from Afghanistan or concussions from the Iran rocket attack,  or gunshot wounds from Africa, my wife sees them all.... All of them, every theater of operation from Africa, Central Asia or Europe. All the wounded or sick, she is the one on the flight line here in Germany to receive them and see them and talk to them and evaluate them. I just pray that any needless conflict we are in, that the good Lord gives wisdom to those who are in control to get Americans out, now, God willing, the best way they can do it, if at all possible. 

 

Gotta get to bed now. It is going on 2AM here in Germany.

 

Blessings to all.

 

Goodnight

Edited March 2, 2020 by JoBri

[JoBri 548]

By the way, I am very proud of my wife. She was a school teacher in the Philippines. Now she is an Air Force Nurse! 🙂 Pretty cool, marrying someone from the Philippines who now takes care of American military wounded and sick. Especially since I was in the military myself. I was  Army Infantry, first serving in Germany, and then in a Civil Affairs unit with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the Gulf War. So I am especially proud of her. 

Edited March 2, 2020 by JoBri

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

26 minutes ago, JoBri said:

That's my unqualified opinion, here at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is that the treaty will give us a way out, without looking so weak, and also minimizing the damage to American and Afghan civilian personnel. But what do I know, really? I personally agree with Trump. Let's just hope and pray it is something good for the military. I know my wife struggles with the wounded she sees every week. Let's cheer for our military.

 

Let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago some US Special Forces came under attack in Afghanistan. Six were wounded and 2 were killed. My wife received the wounded on a C-17 out of Afghanistan. That is her job as a nurse. She receives them, evaluates them, transports them to the military hospital here, and then later assesses them for movement to the USA, and loads them up on the flight for that transport.Three of the wounded went to the intensive care unit. One of those not in intensive care "disappeared" for a bit. My wife couldnt find him. he had gone to intensive care to find his buddy to check on him. He made my wife promise they would all fly back home together to Joint Base Andrews. A few days later,  as my wife got them loaded on the C-17 all together, that one SF soldier squeezed my wife's hand. Whether it is from Afghanistan or concussions from the Iran rocket attack,  or gunshot wounds from Africa, my wife sees them all.... All of them, every theater of operation from Africa, Central Asia or Europe. All the wounded or sick, she is the one on the flight line here in Germany to receive them and see them and talk to them and evaluate them. I just pray that any needless conflict we are in, that the good Lord gives wisdom to those who are in control to get Americans out, now, God willing, the best way they can do it, if at all possible. 

 

Gotta get to bed now. It is going on 2AM here in Germany.

 

Blessings to all.

 

Goodnight

Thank you for your service, and for the story, but regarding the logic, it really makes no sense that we must sign a treaty with the Taliban, Sharia Islamic terrorists that were supposedly rooted out of running Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago, following them helping OBL/AQ after their 9/11 attacks, in order not to look weak while leaving the country.

 

 

 

 

[JoBri 548]

Not disputing they helped OBL. Not denying those responsible for 911 or aiding or whatever are long dead or gone. I am guessing to not look weak in the face of the enemy this is part of it, but I dont know that. Do you? I am not insinuating I know anything decisively, are you? I am making an assumption that this is the way that the "experts" have decided will be the safest for the US troops and best hopes for the Afghan civilians. Again, I dont know that, I am just trying to figure it out. I want us out of this war, period. I DO know that. And if this has been determined to be the way out with the least amount of civilian casualties, then good! If not, then so sad. Adios

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

The "experts" said "cutting and running" in any way without a victory is weak.

 

So, by that logic might as well set up a permanent US military in Afghanistan.

 

But then again, the "experts" also had GWB send in paltry forces to Afghanistan, allowing Afghanistan's forces, outsourcing getting OBL to the sympathetic Afghans, who allowed him to escape to Pakistan.

 

Same "experts" committed vast amounts of US military to Iraq, which as they knew then, had nothing to do with 9/11 and was of no related importance.

 

Hence why I don't rely on "experts" to formulate opinions. 

 

We have the same goal in mind, to get American troops home safely, but I don't trust people (who are called "experts") who've been endlessly lying to us for the past two decades, and the same garbage about "weakness" nonsense has been endlessly spit out as a justification for pointless indefinite war.

Edited March 2, 2020 by Burnt Reynolds

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

On 2/29/2020 at 9:05 AM, Burnt Reynolds said:

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-signs-historic-peace-deal-with-taliban-pompeo-strikes-cautious-tone

 

I've never been a fan of foreign wars, but the idea of striking a peace deal with a group that attacked the US on 9/11 is an awful mistake.

Then again, we also know the history the US has with the Taliban prior to 9/11.

Leave Iraq, yes. Leave everywhere else in the Middle East, yes. Even Afghanistan, I guess, but signing a peace treaty with the Taliban? That's like spitting in the face of people who had friends and family die in 9/11. No, no, no. 

They in fact did not strike the US on 9/11, but they were harboring Al Qaeda as guests in their country when it happened. Even after 9/11 they couldn't just give up Bin Laden because Pashtunwali social code makes it a unforgivable sin if you allow someone to harm your guest. 

 

As someone who has lived in and has buddies I served with killed/wounded in Afghanistan this is very tough for me. But I understand why it needs to be done. Also the Taliban want it done as well so that they can turn around and fight ISIS in Afghanistan

 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 hour ago, Burnt Reynolds said:

Thank you for your service, and for the story, but regarding the logic, it really makes no sense that we must sign a treaty with the Taliban, Sharia Islamic terrorists that were supposedly rooted out of running Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago, following them helping OBL/AQ after their 9/11 attacks, in order not to look weak while leaving the country.

I think it is a play to strengthen our position around the world.  Sign a peace treaty, and pull out.  Then if they attack us or our interests again, we will have a legal recourse to take up arms against them.  But in the meantime, we bring our folks home and enjoy the peace.  (Not that anyone signing the treaty on our side should turn their backs on those people)

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 hour ago, JoBri said:

By the way, I am very proud of my wife. She was a school teacher in the Philippines. Now she is an Air Force Nurse! 🙂 Pretty cool, marrying someone from the Philippines who now takes care of American military wounded and sick. Especially since I was in the military myself. I was  Army Infantry, first serving in Germany, and then in a Civil Affairs unit with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the Gulf War. So I am especially proud of her. 

Man, I THOUGHT I recognized your posts.  Brijo!!  I remember when Jopay enlisted.  Tell her congrats on still going strong, and thanks for her service (again)!