"safe havens" are not necessary to plot terror attacks. Nor are training camps. The only tool you need to plot ANYTHING is an internet connection. How is that lost here my friend?
This was an excellent, fact-based, non-partisan overview. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, most Americans are woefully uninformed about the complexities of foreign policy and most MSM are focused on creating an attention-grabbing narrative that flattens rather than exploring such complexities. With all the grandstanding by politicians on both sides of the political divide (and the Biden administration should be pressured into mass evacuations), any investigation into Afghanistan must ho back 20 years, not 20 days. There was massive corruption not only in the Afghan government, but throught the massive external contracting forces that appear to have faced zero accountability. At any rate, I am in vehement agreement with your concluding remarks. I would add that the US is quickly approaching a point where a malicious and ignorant minority of US citizens will be responsible, directly and indirectly, for the equivalent in deaths of multiple 911s/week if the Delta spread continues its relentless course.
Forensic masterpieces are always written in chalk, Clint your assessment is a masterpiece, yet, as always it's fluid as to correct swiftly, as needed. Considering the time zones. Still I wonder, and may never it be publish. Did we lose our ground assets? Our eyes and ears inside the regions? And (I can't believe I'm saying this) do we "consider" bringing all HUMINT assets from all our agencies into one leadership structure? The "conventional" thinking is, the assets much like the soldiers just walked away. The "select" thinking says they are just waiting for leadership to boost ongoing blueprints to give leadership- The greater question, how to keep them engaged during the transition? I'm not a big fan of the 1st VP, as my first thought regarding him was he was a double, playing the field. If any Intel failures truly occured it was on that side of the fence on his watch? So chalk in hand, more design in the build back better regarding HUMINT is one aspect to look too while transition openings are available. Unionize all ground assets but be prepared for pushback from the handler agencies. These assets need our support more so, now more than ever. -Salutes, jw.
As one who respects your opinion, I'm interested in how social media's inability to forbid foreign heads of state access to world wide forums will impact global jihad's online presence. The Taliban already has social media accounts. Would their recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan* increase or decrease their ability to recruit terrorists through social media?
*This would necessarily involve dissolving the current government on the excecutive, legislative and judicial levels.
Clint - question for 'ya: Do we see any disunity of command at the top of the Taliban? There appears to be some more "modern" and statesman like diplomacy that they appear to be feigning, or perhaps legitimately signaling in hopes of establishing relationships for future financial aid or other services; presumably from China, Russia and others. And if there's any truth to that (which I suspect may be a veneer in the first place), how, if at all, would an internal split within the Taliban impact the extremist organizations who are currently operating or considering operations within Afghanistan? What is being done to capitalize on any diverging leaders within the Taliban?
"safe havens" are not necessary to plot terror attacks. Nor are training camps. The only tool you need to plot ANYTHING is an internet connection. How is that lost here my friend?
Great stuff as always Weez!
This was an excellent, fact-based, non-partisan overview. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, most Americans are woefully uninformed about the complexities of foreign policy and most MSM are focused on creating an attention-grabbing narrative that flattens rather than exploring such complexities. With all the grandstanding by politicians on both sides of the political divide (and the Biden administration should be pressured into mass evacuations), any investigation into Afghanistan must ho back 20 years, not 20 days. There was massive corruption not only in the Afghan government, but throught the massive external contracting forces that appear to have faced zero accountability. At any rate, I am in vehement agreement with your concluding remarks. I would add that the US is quickly approaching a point where a malicious and ignorant minority of US citizens will be responsible, directly and indirectly, for the equivalent in deaths of multiple 911s/week if the Delta spread continues its relentless course.
Great summary!! Thanks for sharing.
Forensic masterpieces are always written in chalk, Clint your assessment is a masterpiece, yet, as always it's fluid as to correct swiftly, as needed. Considering the time zones. Still I wonder, and may never it be publish. Did we lose our ground assets? Our eyes and ears inside the regions? And (I can't believe I'm saying this) do we "consider" bringing all HUMINT assets from all our agencies into one leadership structure? The "conventional" thinking is, the assets much like the soldiers just walked away. The "select" thinking says they are just waiting for leadership to boost ongoing blueprints to give leadership- The greater question, how to keep them engaged during the transition? I'm not a big fan of the 1st VP, as my first thought regarding him was he was a double, playing the field. If any Intel failures truly occured it was on that side of the fence on his watch? So chalk in hand, more design in the build back better regarding HUMINT is one aspect to look too while transition openings are available. Unionize all ground assets but be prepared for pushback from the handler agencies. These assets need our support more so, now more than ever. -Salutes, jw.
I have a question, please.
As one who respects your opinion, I'm interested in how social media's inability to forbid foreign heads of state access to world wide forums will impact global jihad's online presence. The Taliban already has social media accounts. Would their recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan* increase or decrease their ability to recruit terrorists through social media?
*This would necessarily involve dissolving the current government on the excecutive, legislative and judicial levels.
Clint - question for 'ya: Do we see any disunity of command at the top of the Taliban? There appears to be some more "modern" and statesman like diplomacy that they appear to be feigning, or perhaps legitimately signaling in hopes of establishing relationships for future financial aid or other services; presumably from China, Russia and others. And if there's any truth to that (which I suspect may be a veneer in the first place), how, if at all, would an internal split within the Taliban impact the extremist organizations who are currently operating or considering operations within Afghanistan? What is being done to capitalize on any diverging leaders within the Taliban?