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Sunday, September 05, 2021

The Guardian view on the US departure from Afghanistan: its responsibilities don’t end here

The Guardian (Aus Ed):

The Guardian view on the US departure from Afghanistan: its responsibilities don’t end here

After almost 20 years, America has ended its longest war. But its duties to Afghans endure


Chris Donahue, the final American service member to depart Afghanistan, boards the last cargo plane at Kabul airport. Photograph: Master Sgt. Alexander Burnett/AP

The histories are already being written, but for now, two moments encapsulate the closing moments of America’s longest war. One was the eerie, lonely night-vision image of the last US soldier boarding the military’s final flight from Afghanistan. The other came a day earlier, when a retaliatory strike targeting Islamic State reportedly claimed the lives of 10 civilians, including at least six children. Together, they convey the sense of hopelessness and waste, after almost 20 years and $2tn, the carelessness which too often characterised both the US presence and its withdrawal, and the costs to Afghans.

Though Donald Trump set the clock for departure ticking, Joe Biden’s timing owed more to symbolism than pragmatism. The president promised that the US military would leave before 11 September – the 20th anniversary of the al-Qaida terrorist attacks that led the US to topple the Taliban.

Far from drawing a line under the war, the choice of date and the rushed, chaotic withdrawal have underscored its toll, most critically on Afghan lives, but also on America’s standing. A country already tarnished by the ascent of President Trump and then the assault by his supporters on the Capitol on 6 January 2021 and by the disastrous response to Covid, looks further diminished, reduced to bickering with one of its closest allies over who bears more responsibility for the scores of Afghans and 13 US personnel who died in the bombing at Kabul airport.

Above all, though the Biden administration talks up the achievements of its evacuation programme in airlifting more than 120,000 people, many – American citizens, Afghan allies and other vulnerable Afghans such as civil society activists – are left there. They and the rest of Afghanistan awoke on Tuesday to the new reality, with a triumphant Taliban promising a different approach while their fighters commit atrocities and rivals jockey for power.

For all the failures of the American intervention, many in Afghanistan had begun to forge a better way of life, and to hope for freedom and peace there. Many who had dedicated themselves to rebuilding their country have now fled abroad. Others cannot.

Over the last two decades, tens of thousands of Afghan civilians have lost their lives. They have suffered not only at the hands of the Taliban, but also of Afghan government forces and the US military. The US has said that it is not in a position to dispute reports that the drone strike on Sunday night claimed civilian lives; what is certain is that, since 2001, both US solo and joint operations have claimed too many innocent lives without even proper acknowledgment, let alone reparation.


Afghans gather around vehicle in Kabul US drone-strike - One 'collateral damage' tragedy of many around the World perpetuated by callous American bullying

America’s responsibilities do not end with its departure. Its first duty is to do all it can, within its very limited means, to support those still in Afghanistan. Whatever can be done to hold the Taliban to their pledges must be done. Its second duty is to take responsibility for its own actions, beginning with the latest drone strike. Accountability, honesty and restitution are required. This is all the more important as it contemplates an “over the horizon” counter-terrorism effort, aiming to tackle renewed threats in Afghanistan from afar – increasing the risks. Though the US has ended its two-decade conflict, it must not turn its back on Afghans who continue to live with the consequences.


12 comments:

  1. Yes, 500 yo Bully's responsibility has not ended, even to "the Afghans that they don't care about". They must first help the minority Uyghurs who live as Refugees in Afghanistan. Now they desperately want to escape to the west, they are fearful Telly-ban will expel them back to 5000 yo Bullyland's Cruel and Zalim Re-education Camps with pokey spikes, barbed wire, high concrete walls and sentry towers.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/04/asia/uyghur-afghanistan-taliban-china-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

    QUOTE
    As China woos the Taliban, Uyghurs in Afghanistan fear for their lives
    By Ivan Watson and CNN staff
    September 5, 2021

    (CNN) Tuhan's family crossed the border from China's western Xinjiang region to Afghanistan 45 years ago to escape persecution.

    Now, as the Taliban exerts control over the country, she fears she and other ethnic Uyghurs could be sent back to China by members of the militant group keen to curry favor with Beijing, which has been accused of carrying out a genocide on the Muslim minority.

    Tuhan, who is using a pseudonym to protect her identity from the Taliban, is caught between a homeland where Uyghurs are facing increasing repression, and an adopted country where they are considered outsiders. What worries them most is that they could be deported to China. It is just a matter of time before (the Taliban) find out that we are Uyghurs. Our lives are in danger.....

    ..."All these past years, life was difficult ... But what is happening now is the worst," she said, referring to the Taliban takeover. "It is just a matter of time before (the Taliban) find out that we are Uyghurs. Our lives are in danger."

    Tuhan is one of up to 3,000 Uyghurs in Afghanistan, according to Sean Roberts, a professor at George Washington University and author of "The War on the Uyghurs," making them a tiny minority in the country of more than 37 million.

    Many of the Uyghurs now hold Afghan citizenship, but their identification cards still identify them as Chinese refugees -- including second generation immigrants, according to an ID photo shared with CNN and accounts of two Uyghurs.

    "They're afraid from China, because the Taliban was dealing with China behind the door. And they are afraid to (be) sent back to China," he said....

    .....Roberts said Uyghurs' fears the Taliban could deport them to China to gain more favor with Beijing were legitimate. (The Taliban) have a lot of reasons to try to ingratiate Beijing.....
    UNQUOTE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wakakakakaka…

      Of course these radicalised Uyghurs would fear for their f*cking lives!

      No more safe haven. No more western finance/military supports.

      The Taliban have vowed NOT to allow Afghanistan to be used as bases for terrorist training!

      The Chinese WOULDN'T have to do anything. If the Taliban r to he kind, all these radicalised Uyghurs would be forwarded to Turkey, like what mamak had done!

      Delete
  2. Modern Mao: "Sorry Mam, I know you won the Myanmar General Election..."

    http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/18/138714159_15792937230931n.jpg

    Modern Mao: "But Bullyland loves Military Coups over demokrasi, like in Afghanistan, so No Hard Feelings I now Sapot the Myanmar Military OK....?"

    http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/18/138716154_15793550465351n.jpg

    And like KT, Modern Mao must love those medals too...ha ha ha...

    https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/dcx/2018/02/18/2652939.jpg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parading yr another round of cesspool concentrate collections!

      This time from supposedly mainland China source!

      Blurred mfer, too bad, u don't read & understand Chinese! Thus can't understand the underlying meanings of those phrases used in diplomatic service.

      Delete
  3. See, over 20 years, 500 yo Bully already gave $130 billion to Afghans, "who they don't care about". This was more than they gave the whole of Western Europe under the Marshall Plan after WW2 to rebuild their economies. Inflation Adjusted.

    But don't give to Telly-ban gomen, they will just use the money to fund terrorism or makan it themselves, while the poor Afghans suffer.

    How much will Modern Mao commit? Don't Run Away Ya? Please help rebuild Afghanistan, for 20 years at least.

    Money Talks, BullyShit Walks.

    QUOTE (Reuters)
    U.S. seen funding humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, but not its government
    By Arshad Mohammed and Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Landay

    WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress is likely to finance U.N. and other agencies providing humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan but there is virtually no chance it will directly fund a new Taliban-led government, congressional aides said on Friday.

    The United States has been a massive funder of Afghanistan since its 2001 invasion to topple the Taliban, setting aside roughly $130 billion for security, governance and development and humanitarian needs.

    Aides to the Democrats who control both houses of Congress and to Republicans said lawmakers were nearly certain to provide humanitarian aid for internally displaced Afghans and refugees but not to the government itself, at least for now.

    "It would be difficult to convince members of Congress to do anything that would appear to be supporting the Taliban government," said a senior Senate Democratic aide, citing the absence of oversight and a reluctance "to support a government that is anathema to us."

    A senior Senate Republican aide concurred. "Republicans would absolutely not support giving money to the Taliban," the Republican aide said, saying they do not want to provide any money until Americans and Afghans who worked with the United States can leave Afghanistan.

    While aides said there was an understanding that agencies such as the World Food Program and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees would need funds, the Republican said lawmakers would want strict conditions on how it is spent.

    "There needs to be a distinct look at what this is going to look like and how this is going to flow," he said.

    For fiscal 2022 starting Oct. 1, Congress set aside $136.45 million in the Economic Support Fund, which the Democratic aide said was the source for underwriting Afghan government salaries, and $52.03 million for Afghan humanitarian aid, according to the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

    The aides all but ruled out contributing to the salaries of Afghan civil servants who, working under a Taliban-led government, might oversee such basic services as running schools, health clinics and hospitals.

    "I find it hard to imagine that happening, in part because how would we know that the funds weren't ending up in the wrong hands?" said the senior Senate Democratic aide.

    The aide said Congress might appropriate as much as the $144 million to $279 million it has set aside annually in the last decade for Afghan humanitarian needs, depending on what U.N. agencies and others determine is required.
    UNQUOTE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another truly fart of know-nothing!

      "See, over 20 years, 500 yo Bully already gave $130 billion to Afghans"

      Wow… wow…

      How much of that $130B went back to US in the forms of military hardware purchases, advisor fees, US army personnel salaries etc etc?

      Humanitarian aids?

      Oooop… don't u count yr uncle Sam's presence in Afghanistan as the greatest humanitarianism!

      Wakakakakaka…

      "For fiscal 2022 starting Oct. 1"

      !!!??

      Definitely not for the Taliban regime. Thus what's another flowery fart to powder uncle Sam's face!

      Yet there is a blurred mfer gimmicky c&p a FART report to bright up its daily boring routine.

      Delete
    2. The 130 billion is not for military hardware. It is to pay gaji for the Afghan civil service, soldiers and polis etc, for 20 years. Plus humanitarian aid.

      Military hardware, cost for army, navy, Marines and such came from the 2 TRILLION.

      Delete
    3. Wakakakakaka…

      R u in the loops of the Yankee Afghanistan budgeting exercise?

      From the declared records, according to the US Department of Defense, the total military expenditure in Afghanistan (from October 2001 until December 2020) was $825bn, with about another $130bn spent on reconstruction projects.

      That brings the total cost, based on official data, to about $955bn between 2001 and 2020 - close to the lower $1tn estimate given by Biden.

      The $2tn figure referenced by President Biden is based on a recent study by Brown University, which includes interest on debt used to finance the war and expenses such as veterans' care.

      This study also includes spending in Pakistan, which the US used as a base for Afghan-related operations, and runs through to the 2022 fiscal year based on requested money.

      It found that costs of the war (and future commitments) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2022 amount to $2.3tn.

      READ - with about another $130bn spent on reconstruction projects. It was part of the 2.3T stated!

      Where was yr stated "pay gaji for the Afghan civil service, soldiers and polis etc, for 20 years. Plus humanitarian aid"?

      Obviously u know fart as usual from yr selective c&p fun searchings!

      Delete
    4. 90% of Afghanistan national budget, which includes government civil and security personnel salaries, has been funded by foreign aid. And most of that aid is from a country that “does not care about Afghan welfare”. But now with Telly-ban in power, 5000 yo Bully must shoulder that responsibility.

      https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-09-03/us-seen-funding-humanitarian-aid-for-afghanistan-but-not-its-goverment

      Delete
    5. This is just ONE example of Afghan gomen asking half a billion dollars to pay gomen civil servants salaries in 2014. From a country that “does not care about the welfare of Afghanistan”. Now with Telly-ban in power, sorry lah.

      QUOTE (Reuters) https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN0HM0E820140927

      The October shortfall will affect only civilian government workers - Afghan military and police salaries should come on time because they are paid from a separate fund, he added.

      Afghanistan has asked for $537 million in emergency funds from the United States to meet its budget commitments through December, but so far has not received approval, Aqa said.
      UNQUOTE

      Delete
    6. Wakakakakaka…

      AGAIN u r quoting yr favourite US propagandas to justify yr pet fart!

      Blurred mfer, if those claims in those f*cked media were to believable, Afghanistan WOULDN'T be fell into the hands of the Taliban NOW!

      Bear that in mind, the next time yr urge to fart agitates u!

      Delete
    7. BTW, if the runaway Afghan President Ashraf Ghani govt was so depending financially on US humanitarian aids to manage the country WHY weren't the Afghans support Ghani since he had a big sugar daddy?

      Instead many were happy to see him f*cked off. The Yankee too!

      If u have read the financial investigation reports on Afghanistan aids from the Capitol hill, u would have know that 90% of the US allocated funds went back to various well connected fat cats in Washington DC.

      Those millions in emergency funds from US to meet Afghanistan's budget commitments r just pure scams by the US politics to pocket the money using aids for Afghan as a front!

      But then u r just one truly blurred & f*cked Yankee asslicker - any wonder?

      Delete