The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan

[Ernie]

Yes, I thought the same thing.

[Ken]

I would note that China seems to be kicking our butts in terms of engagement in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. But they aren't doing it by sending troops and building military bases. They are doing things like building dams, highways, and even light rail transit systems in places like Ethiopia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addis_Ababa_Light_Rail Which seems a lot more useful than things like massive multi-billion dollar military air bases in places like Bagram Afghanistan.

Some of us find the economic takeover of the eastern hemisphere by the CCP through the Belt and Road Initiative nearly as concerning as a military takeover.

isn't it interesting tho, how helping people become better, is getting more accomplished than fighting?

Maybe we should be doing the same thing instead of building massive military bases around the planet.

Imagine if instead of spending 2 trillion on war in Afghanistan we had spent 2 trillion on economic development in Central America and the Caribbean in places like Haiti.

[Robert]

Imagine if instead of spending 2 trillion on war in Afghanistan we had spent 2 trillion on economic development in Central America and the Caribbean in places like Haiti.

I agree with the concept, but the reality is that is nonexistant money. That just means inflation and all those with a little savings just lost value.

Much better, not spend 2 trillion that no one has. Money does not nor will not solve the problems of the world. Those are heart issues. Money harms those and makes them worse.

[Ken]

Imagine if instead of spending 2 trillion on war in Afghanistan we had spent 2 trillion on economic development in Central America and the Caribbean in places like Haiti.

I agree with the concept, but the reality is that is nonexistant money. That just means inflation and all those with a little savings just lost value.

Much better, not spend 2 trillion that no one has. Money does not nor will not solve the problems of the world. Those are heart issues. Money harms those and makes them worse.

I don't think it is nonexistent money. But I think 95% of it never actually left the US. It just went straight from the taxpayers into the pockets of no-bid military contractors headquartered around the capitol beltway. And most of the money that actually did make it all the way to Afghanistan then quickly got scooped up by in-country contractors or diverted into offshore bank accounts. Apparently running a phantom army like we did for 20 years where half the troops don't actually exist is not cheap.

[Josh]

The total cost in Afghanistan and Iraq was $6.4T. It’s easy to imagine better ways to spend that much money.

That’s $53,000 per household. Imagine if that money had been distributed to every American household.

[ohio jones]

The total cost in Afghanistan and Iraq was $6.4T. It’s easy to imagine better ways to spend that much money.

That’s $53,000 per household. Imagine if that money had been distributed to every American household.

If Covid sticks around for another year or two (maybe even if it doesn't) no imagination will be needed.

[Jess77]

Two explosions now being reported in Kabul with at least 3 Marines injured and numerous others killed.

[Robert]

I don't think it is nonexistent money.

When the government runs deficits and the national debt is $28 trillion, it is nonexistant money.

[HondurasKeiser]

Also not widely reported in the news was the fact that the US State Department actually issued a do not travel and evacuation advisory for all Americans back in April. Here is the actual text: https://af.usembassy.gov/afghanistan-tr ... l-27-2021/

TRAVEL ADVISORY APRIL 21, 2021: Afghanistan Travel Advisory – Level 4: Do Not Travell

There are Level 4 travel advisories in effect for 99 (out of 211) countries. At some point they tend to lose their urgency.

Indeed, I get those same advisories about once a month for travel to Honduras. I just chuckle and go about my day.

[Grace]

So sad for the people "stranded" in Afghanistan and the photos of mothers with their children is heartbreaking



"At least 13 people including children have been killed in two separate explosions near Kabul airport, with three US soldiers wounded, just hours after warnings of an 'imminent' and 'lethal' ISIS terror attack. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the blast, one of which ripped through a crowd of Afghans gathered at the Abbey gate of the Hamid Karzai airport, and another which hit Barons Hotel, followed by gunfire amid the mass panic. Images from the scene show scores of bloodied people being carried away from the bombsite with reports of multiple casualties. A witness said the suicide bomber had detonated a device in a sewage canal-way packed with people and that there were 'definitely' civilian casualties. He said the passage was overlooked by US soldiers and he had been told that there were casualties among the American troops, adding: 'This could be the end of the airlift."'


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html