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I don't see why not, these conflicts make strange bed fellows - they almost went to war in the 90s but both now see US as a common enemy. Also Iran has hosted various al-Qaeda figures in the past for whatever reason, so there's any number of things that could trump ideology. I have seen it said that when bin Laden first conceived of the idea for al-Qaeda in the mid-80s he envisaged a non-sectarian group which would potentially include Shi'a.
Can't find anything yet but I'll let you know if/when I do.Is Russia backing the Taliban? Anything on this in Russian language media @antihenry?
Russia, Iran ties with Taliban stoke Afghan anxiety
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-iran-ties-taliban-stoke-afghan-anxiety-040857785.html
It's so weird, given the stance of Pakistani groups towards Shias.@berbatrick - http://www.longwarjournal.org/archi...d-the-talibans-insurgency-since-late-2001.php
Should also be noted that the Taliban's alleged cooperation with Iran is a chief source of criticism they receive from ISIS.
That definitely looks like him.This is supposed to be a photo of Mullah Omar, I guess from some time in the 80s before he founded the Taliban:
The Taliban weren't sincere in their offer and frankly, their continued control of Afghanistan would've merely meant an extension of allowing Al-Qaeda free reign to continue plotting attacks in the west.The whole mission in Afghanistan was just a revenge mission. The Taliban even offered to send OBL to Saudi of they were provided evidence of his involvement in 911. Dubya and Saudi didn't want to lose face, so they launched a war.
Nobody in this entire conflict was sincere. The leadership class in Afghanistan is no better than the Taliban, they're all backward savages, it's just some of them like to dress in trousers and other in salwars. The Americans were never sincere about re-building Afghanistan, they just wanted a quick win. NATO allies were not serious about security, the Italians used to pay the Taliban not to attack their patrols, other NATO forces used Taliban as local bodyguards for convoys of goods. India got involved to try an strategically encircle Pakistan. Pakistan was forced to support an anti Taliban war, they betrayed everyone and played both sides. Not only did they support NATO they also supported the Taliban, especially anything that would harm Indian efforts to get a foothold in the country.
Ultimately the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer.
You genuinely think the Taliban were going to hand over Bin Laden to the US? At best...they would have forced him to leave Afghanistan...but, hand over the then hero of jihadists worldwide to the kuffar?The whole mission in Afghanistan was just a revenge mission. The Taliban even offered to send OBL to Saudi of they were provided evidence of his involvement in 911.
I think you're right about most of what you say, and would also add that any slim chances of success were further complicated once barely a year after starting in Afghanistan, US focus was shifted to the stupidity that was Iraq.The whole mission in Afghanistan was just a revenge mission. The Taliban even offered to send OBL to Saudi of they were provided evidence of his involvement in 911. Dubya and Saudi didn't want to lose face, so they launched a war.
Nobody in this entire conflict was sincere. The leadership class in Afghanistan is no better than the Taliban, they're all backward savages, it's just some of them like to dress in trousers and other in salwars. The Americans were never sincere about re-building Afghanistan, they just wanted a quick win. NATO allies were not serious about security, the Italians used to pay the Taliban not to attack their patrols, other NATO forces used Taliban as local bodyguards for convoys of goods. India got involved to try an strategically encircle Pakistan. Pakistan was forced to support an anti Taliban war, they betrayed everyone and played both sides. Not only did they support NATO they also supported the Taliban, especially anything that would harm Indian efforts to get a foothold in the country.
Ultimately the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer.
They simply weren't incentivized to push AQ out. Bin Ladin and his posse were well integrated into the ideology of their Taliban hosts.According to some of what i've read in the past (can try and dig it up if you like), the Taliban were not happy with the influence of the Arabs and foreigners in Afghanistan. I reckon given a face saving way out they would have pushed them out. Look at who got left behind during the war. As the NA forces moved forwards, the Afghan Taliban went home, the foreigners were left to get shot at.
I've read similar, even as part of accounts of US commanders involved in the initial months of the conflict, that there was much tension between the Pashto locals and the Arabs, Uzbeks, etc. Just unsure if it extended to the top, and the Omar - UBL relationship.According to some of what i've read in the past (can try and dig it up if you like), the Taliban were not happy with the influence of the Arabs and foreigners in Afghanistan. I reckon given a face saving way out they would have pushed them out. Look at who got left behind during the war. As the NA forces moved forwards, the Afghan Taliban went home, the foreigners were left to get shot at.
The Taliban don't control Afghanistan, although they never did in total, but they're still pretty significant, don't you think?The Taliban weren't sincere in their offer and frankly, their continued control of Afghanistan would've merely meant an extension of allowing Al-Qaeda free reign to continue plotting attacks in the west.
Well in 2001 they controlled nearly all of the Pashtun part of Afghanistan. Today they control a relatively small sliver.The Taliban don't control Afghanistan, although they never did in total, but they're still pretty significant, don't you think?
On an ISIS tunnel complex.US just dropped the largest non nuclear bomb on Afganistan.
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=852558316945498112&ref_src=twsrc^tfw&ref_url=http://resistancereport.com/news/u-s-drops-largest-non-nuclear-bomb-afghanistan/&original_referer=http://resistancereport.com/news/u-s-drops-largest-non-nuclear-bomb-afghanistan/&tw_i=852558316945498112&tw_p=tweetembed
Hopefully no towns or villages within a few miles of the target site.On an ISIS tunnel complex.
It'll probably turn out to be a civilian trade route that was essential to supply towns while avoiding AQ and ISIS.On an ISIS tunnel complex.
Unless it could drop the bomb from well outside NK airspace, they C130 delivering the device would be a sitting duck for their Air Force and anti-aircraft systems.Hey NK look what we have and it is coming your way...
Just chuck it over from Seoul?... after evacuating...Unless it could drop the bomb from well outside NK airspace, they C130 delivering the device would be a sitting duck for their Air Force and anti-aircraft systems.
Seoul is probably the big city I'd least like to be in right about now.Just chuck it over from Seoul?... after evacuating...
Don't be taking the piss the nowJust chuck it over from Seoul?... after evacuating...
Mine too. Lovely city though.Seoul is probably the big city I'd least like to be in right about now.
Don't be taking the piss the now
After Liverpool, aye.Seoul is probably the big city I'd least like to be in right about now.
In Afghanistan they have ISIS-K (Khorasan).Are AQ now morphing into ISIS?
Afghans are theologically (religion) different. I would have thought it would be difficult for ISIS to make any significant progress amongst Pashtuns.
You can say that again.
Bet they couldn't bounce this one either!Yanks second best again. Aghanistan bomb 21,000 1bs, but the RAF Grand Slams in 1945 were 22,000, used against U-boat pens and viaducts.
However, experts say it has struggled to build a wide political base and the indigenous support it expected in Afghanistan.In Afghanistan they have ISIS-K (Khorasan).
They've been doing pretty well since 2015ish, to the point where they have been successfully challenging the Taliban for recruits.However, experts say it has struggled to build a wide political base and the indigenous support it expected in Afghanistan.
BBC