You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Afghanistan
Last days of the US Embassy in Kabul: Nerve center of the war on terror is being gutted of all sensitive material as staff and CIA assets prepare to lower the flag and flee amid Taliban takeover
2021-08-15
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • The US Embassy in Kabul has been the intelligence hub for the US's war on terror for the last 20 years but the Taliban is forcing an evacuation in 72 hours

  • Some staffers have already reached the Kabul international airport

  • Taliban has seized territories surrounding Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul and are within seven miles of the Embassy

  • The Biden Administration increased the number of troops from 3,000 to 5,000 to to protect staffers and CIA agents as they evacuate

  • The 5,000 troops include the troops already on the ground in the country

  • Since its creation, the Embassy has gathered intelligence that has shaped counterterrorism military actions - such as precision drone strikes

  • The Embassy also has been able to monitor the Taliban and Al Qaeda and prevented another 9/11-type attack

  • Security engineers continue to burn, shred and pulverize 20 years worth of intelligence stored on electronics and in documents


[PUBLISH.TWITTER]

Posted by:Skidmark

#17  Well the Democrats and Media finally got their way - to re-live their glory days of the end of the Vietnam war and the fall is Saigon.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2021-08-15 20:57  

#16  ^ Late Snark O' The Day entry!!
Posted by: Frank G   2021-08-15 20:28  

#15  Hope they have time to save the Hunter Biden artwork from the embassy walls and the rainbow flags.
Posted by: Airandee   2021-08-15 19:34  

#14  US citizens scramble to board C-17...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-08-15 15:02  

#13  Number 6 is spot on. I knew a few hard men, vets turned contractors who got folks out of Kuwait City wen Saddam's people came South. This might be a bit more difficult.
Posted by: Besoeker   2021-08-15 14:37  

#12  
Posted by: Frank G   2021-08-15 14:30  

#11  So typical of Democrats. Another lost war or should I say conflict. They will find a way to start another conflict and spend, spend and spend. The easiest attack now would be Americans. Extra stock of Depends please for the White House.
Posted by: Dale   2021-08-15 13:12  

#10  Bidet and the Pentagon going to be looking for a quick victory somewhere to distract. Guess all us white supremacists and domestic extremists better get ready for a bad couple weeks...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-08-15 12:55  

#9  I wonder if anyone in the Bidet Brain Trust ever read actual history?

https://www.thoughtco.com/britains-disastrous-retreat-from-kabul-1773762
Posted by: NoMoreBS   2021-08-15 12:46  

#8  Anybody have an idea where the airhead is for the incoming security forces and the outgoing US embassy personnel, and how long that can hold before the TB get within MANPAD range? Are we facing a hostage situation as well as an epic Blackhawk Down tragedy?
Posted by: NoMoreBS   2021-08-15 12:45  

#7  In hurricane country "shelter in place" means "You dumbass, you waited too long to evacuate".
Posted by: Matt   2021-08-15 12:39  

#6  U.S. Embassy tells Americans to "Shelter in Place"

as in "you're focked"
Posted by: Frank G   2021-08-15 12:29  

#5  gutted of all sensitive material as staff and CIA assets prepare

Posted by: Dron66046   2021-08-15 11:25  

#4  I say we just leave the diplomats there
Posted by: Chris   2021-08-15 10:26  

#3  
I agree with #2 - A comment by Besoeker.

For the last 60+ years that I have lived around, worked with, supported or trained US military personnel.

But it has become clear to me that it seems the USA DOD / Congress quit fighting to quickly win foreign wars . An replaced Winning with a political agenda of how long it can run a war and spread around $$$ Billions in doing so.

As we have seen, the usual outcome is leaving a bigger mess, a better trained enemy, a re-armed now modernized enemy behind, than war started with. All while a certain privileged click makes $$ Millions, certain DOD levels enhance their retirement careers, all with the Military Industry making $$$ Billions.

Along with the big paying ($$$K) do nothing to earn it jobs. Which always seem to find their way to Political or certain Upper DOD level types, and/or their family members along with a steady indirect $$$$ flow.

* The cost of US Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria to Taxpayers

Posted by: NN2N1   2021-08-15 06:42  

#2  Instructive to note that those responsible for implementing this colossal 20+ year cock up are now the last to depart. Perhaps they believed they could wicker some last minute political reprieve. Some might refer to this as 'believing your own kak.'

This was NOT a conflict won or lost by the military, it was conflict utterly pissed away by a feckless diplomatic service and corrupt intelligence community. Yes, the same unelected shadow gov't that has been running the nation for many years.

The White House current disinterest in these tragic events simply confirms their non-involvement. Quite revealing actually, why knowingly soil yourself with the failure of others? Simply send in the emergency exfiltration security force as instructed. In fact, continue to do everything as instructed.

Mafeking will not be relieved. Lord Frederick Roberts has long rested in his grave. You can stick a fork in it, it's done.

What new misadventure sponsored by our 'endless wars' Top Men in Foggy Bottom and Mclean must now await us ?

Posted by: Besoeker   2021-08-15 05:04  

#1  Opinion: President Biden will own the fall of Kabul — when the real killing begins
Posted by: Bubba Lover of the Faeries8843   2021-08-15 00:23  

00:00