Finally done in Afghanistan?

[Day Man]

I can't put my finger on it, but something tells me that source may be biased: 

[O Face]

47 minutes ago, Day Man said:

I can't put my finger on it, but something tells me that source may be biased: 

You’re right. The Afghanistan withdrawal was beautifully executed. Couldn’t have gone any smoother. 

[dream big]

1 hour ago, Day Man said:

I can't put my finger on it, but something tells me that source may be biased: 

The Editor’s note is putting it too kindly. 

[Day Man]

do you really think biden had any say in the planning and execution of that (I fully agree with you) shitshow? it's been a disaster since we rolled in with handcuffs on; what makes you think an old ass civilian (that's non-partisan btw) would have the answer?

[tac airlifter]

5 hours ago, Day Man said:

do you really think biden had any say in the planning and execution of that (I fully agree with you) shitshow? it's been a disaster since we rolled in with handcuffs on; what makes you think an old ass civilian (that's non-partisan btw) would have the answer?

Biden 100% had a say in the execution of the withdrawal.  As the President of our nation, he bears ultimate responsibility for the endeavor.

More importantly, he personally set the date for Kabul mandatory departure time against recommendations of senior GOs.  The "31 Aug" arbitrary target was a huge driver to chaos at HKIA, and was a direct order from Biden.  Even after the military demonstrated the order would make ensuring all AMCITs escaped impossible, Biden was steadfast.  DOS also bears responsibility and they encouraged this decision.

 

[slc]

Thought the "pull out" date was set (by Biden) to 11 Sept (to conveniently coincide w/ the 20th anniversary).  Last C17 to depart was 31 Aug??

[tac airlifter]

50 minutes ago, slc said:

Thought the "pull out" date was set (by Biden) to 11 Sept (to conveniently coincide w/ the 20th anniversary).  Last C17 to depart was 31 Aug??

Biden ordered us out by the end of August, last C17 left 30 Aug.  

There was much confusion on the ground about “end of Aug” vs 11 Sep (which was original target) and those extra days would have allowed us to evacuate more US citizens.  After Abbey Gate we received a clear order, relayed to us that it was directly from POTUS, that everyone would be out by the end of Aug.  

[slc]

Ah so the Abbey Gate IED pushed the timeline up.  Got it

[HeloDude]

10 hours ago, Day Man said:

do you really think biden had any say in the planning and execution of that (I fully agree with you) shitshow? it's been a disaster since we rolled in with handcuffs on; what makes you think an old ass civilian (that's non-partisan btw) would have the answer?

He was literally the VP during 8 years of that shitshow…

And as President he said it was “highly unlikely” that the Taliban would take over and that he had trust in the Afghan military.

[uhhello]

If it had gone swimmingly do you think he'd be taking credit for all of it?  I mean he's already taken credit for it, he's just claiming it was a smashing success.  

Edited August 18, 2023 by uhhello

[JBueno]

If it went swimmingly do you think we’d be giving him all, or any of the credit?

Edited August 20, 2023 by JBueno

[kaputt]

 

 

[BashiChuni]

[Danger41]

6 hours ago, JBueno said:

If it went swimmingly do you think we’d be giving him all, or any of the credit?

I remember back when the Bin Laden raid happened and a bunch of people were mad about Obama taking a lot of credit (even though he was pretty deferential and gave credit to lots of folks). In that case, that was 100% his decision and very easily could’ve tanked his presidency like Eagle Claw. I didn’t vote for Obama but he deserved tons of credit for ordering that. 
 

In your scenario, people would be claiming we shouldn’t have left, he abandoned an ally/girls in school, China was going to move in, he didn’t have the spine for a tough war, doesn’t understand international affairs, etc. Comes with the territory.

[ClearedHot]

On 8/17/2023 at 11:51 PM, Day Man said:

do you really think biden had any say in the planning and execution of that (I fully agree with you) shitshow? it's been a disaster since we rolled in with handcuffs on; what makes you think an old ass civilian (that's non-partisan btw) would have the answer?

Commander in Chief....

[uhhello]

8 hours ago, JBueno said:

If it went swimmingly do you think we’d be giving him all, or any of the credit?

Uh.  yes.  I mean most on here wouldn't be singing his praise but I would be the first to say job well done.  

[tac airlifter]

9 hours ago, JBueno said:

If it went swimmingly do you think we’d be giving him all, or any of the credit?

Job well done to Obama for ordering the UBL DA, despite a lot of pressure to approve an air strike.  Tough call, but it went better.  Job well done to Trump for the Baghdadi DA.  That thing was spicy and a lot of GO advisors wanted an air strike.  See- it’s easy to give credit when you care more about the mission than partisanship.

Biden 100% failed in every aspect of the Kabul evacuation; Miley & Austin would have resigned if they had any honor.

 

[ClearedHot]

4 hours ago, tac airlifter said:

Job well done to Obama for ordering the UBL DA, despite a lot of pressure to approve an air strike.  Tough call, but it went better.  Job well done to Trump for the Baghdadi DA.  That thing was spicy and a lot of GO advisors wanted an air strike.  See- it’s easy to give credit when you care more about the mission than partisanship.

Biden 100% failed in every aspect of the Kabul evacuation; Miley & Austin would have resigned if they had any honor.

 

Credit to Obama for following through and ordering Neptune Spear, BTW Biden advised Obama not to conduct the UBL raid.

[uhhello]

Having spent a good chunk of my career in Afghanistan, pulling those poor bastards off the battlefield.....watching this and then knowing how it all ultimately ended is infuriating beyond comprehension.  

 

[ClearedHot]

Yesterday the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing about the withdraw from Afghanistan.  Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and U.S. Central Command retired Gen. Frank McKenzie gave some very damning testimony on the Biden administration.  “The fundamental mistake, the fundamental flaw was the timing of the State Department,” Milley said. “That was too slow and too late.”  Too bad these clowns didn't have the cojones to resign when this was going down.

Also, of the 22 liberal members of the committee, only 9 bothered to show up for the hearing.  Apparently those 13 lives lost at the Abbey Gate don't matter to Democrats.

Finally, it is now being reported in the open, despite "promises" from the Taliban, Al Qaeda is back in business in a BIG way in Afghanistan.  Al Qaeda is now operating training camps in 10 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.  Additionally, they are operating five madrasas, a weapons depot and safe houses in Afghanistan that are used to facilitate the movement of its members to and from Iran.

[BashiChuni]

Two clowns 🤡 

[ClearedHot]

Exclusive: State Department officials told House investigators they created Afghanistan withdrawal plans from scratch

I would advise some not to read this article, if you have half a brain it will anger you beyond belief...completely inept.

#FJB

[busdriver]

7 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

...completely inept.

State is completely incapable of competent operational planning.

[tac airlifter]

At some point I'll write out the utter shit show of DOS on 14-15 Aug during the embassy evac.  And nothing improved for the remaining 16 days.  As a commander on the ground, I felt sold out and abandoned by every level above 06. 
 

On the plus side, there was no one to stop me from doing what I thought best.

[DirkDiggler]

2 hours ago, busdriver said:

State is completely incapable of competent operational planning.

This has been my experience as well