A Political Thread pt. 2

[Gavin]

 

[Ticklishchap]

I'm English mate, I've just read theories that Kamala would be one candidate to succeed Biden if he didn't run again in 2024 and so it would make sense to avoid tarring her with this brush. Didn't mean she would get elected, just that she'd be a likely nominee.

Sorry mate, I thought you were giving an American 'take' on this. ... I actually agree with everything you are saying but was also suggesting that possibly Harris wouldn't prove to be the best candidate. American friends who are solidly Democrat don't enthuse over her because her record in California is quite 'right-wing'. She also doesn't seem all that good at reaching out to moderate Republicans. There is a sense (and it's something I can recognise from this side of the Pond) that she is purely self-interested. All politicians are self-interested of course but some have core principles. In a way I feel the same about her as I do about Starmer (although she's a better politician than Starmer). There's not much sense of anything 'there'.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Afghan chaos undercuts Biden's promise of competence

The US president promised expertise and empathy - his reputation and America's have taken a hit.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Taliban face financial crisis without access to foreign reserves

Analysis: As the US freezes Afghan reserves and Germany halts aid, the new rulers may find they are far short of what is required to govern

www.theguardian.com

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not like they have a load of armoured vehicles and aviation to sell

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The Western media criticising the Taliban as if they're going to be swayed is probably the only funny thing about this situation.

Can't imagine the boys in Kabul are reading the guardian or watching channel 4 somehow!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Duplicate

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I don't think it's to sway them more to put pressure on International governments etc.

Also what do you expect? Praise them?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think it's to sway them more to put pressure on International governments etc.

Also what do you expect? Praise them?

Nah, there was one on one of the news channels going on about their morals etc... I'm fairly sure everyone knows the Taliban = bad. Getting commentators saying they should be ashamed of themselves etc... is just funny to me.

 

[Gavin]

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

The Western media criticising the Taliban as if they're going to be swayed is probably the only funny thing about this situation.

Can't imagine the boys in Kabul are reading the guardian or watching channel 4 somehow!

Possibly the funnier response has been the "we urge the taliban to care about women and human rights".

Ah yes Ms Arden and Mr Raab you have convinced them

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Possibly the funnier response has been the "we urge the taliban to care about women and human rights".

Ah yes Ms Arden and Mr Raab you have convinced them

Never fear, we have an oven ready strongly worded letter ready to fire off to the Taliban to give them a piece of our mind. That'll show them.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

 

[McTallshort]

Taliban face financial crisis without access to foreign reserves

Analysis: As the US freezes Afghan reserves and Germany halts aid, the new rulers may find they are far short of what is required to govern

www.theguardian.com

Not sure they give a **** to be honest. People have to stop thinking that the Taliban are interested in the things that other governments are interested in. They want to rule Afghanistan. That's it really.

Always laugh when people say there is no military solution to Afghanistan but then the Taliban manage to find one twice.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Not sure they give a **** to be honest. People have to stop thinking that the Taliban are interested in the things that other governments are interested in. They want to rule Afghanistan. That's it really.

Always laugh when people say there is no military solution to Afghanistan but then the Taliban manage to find one twice.

But how will they govern and finance it is very important. The Opium/heroin from the poppies? That never stopped when the Americans were there. Increase production. No idea how bad the Afghanistan economy is.

But they'll then have to rely on other foreign states like Iran, who themselves are not flushed, if still under sanctions.

More civil wars to follow.

Sure they can survive but who suffers?

 

[McTallshort]

But how will they govern and finance it is very important. The Opium from the poppies? That never stopped when the Americans were there. Increase production. No idea how bad the Afghanistan economy is.

But they'll then have to rely on other foreign states like Iran, who themselves are not flushed, if still under sanctions.

More civil wars to follow.

Sure they can survive but who suffers?

Dont know how old you are but 20 years ago they functioned fine for them. OK there was little healthcare, education etc but tribal leaders don't really care about those things. They were in power and that's all that mattered Also civil war is nothing new to the taliban, they have been fighting one for 40 years and its a way of life. The taliban leadership has been in exile in Qatar for 20 years and will get plenty of money from them. Also opium is a pretty good source of revenue

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Washington DC: Man arrested over bomb threat near US Capitol

US Capitol Police had been negotiating with the driver of a suspicious vehicle on Capitol Hill.

www.bbc.co.uk

Likely nothing in this and it's probably just a dud but still kinda worrying, there could be people out there with this mindset who are not simply trying to get attention. Then again this could be a real bomb so...

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Dont know how old you are but 20 years ago they functioned fine for them. OK there was little healthcare, education etc but tribal leaders don't really care about those things. They were in power and that's all that mattered Also civil war is nothing new to the taliban, they have been fighting one for 40 years and its a way of life. The taliban leadership has been in exile in Qatar for 20 years and will get plenty of money from them. Also opium is a pretty good source of revenue

Well I don't know too much of how the Afghani economy works apart from the Opium poppies being grown there, but how much can that support the economy in the long run, along with any support from Iran and Qatar? They need outside international help just not from USA and other western countries.

Access to international finance and trade would be vital unless it wants its economy to stagnate.

Sure it can survive as a hermit state like North Korea. But it would be Back to the dark ages for the country and oppression of half of the population to comply with a let's face it a repugnancy of Sharia law.

They have won the military battle but governing in the long terms is a Different matter. 20 years is a Long time. Just can't see how they govern effectively within the context of the Islam they wish to impose.

 

[Reiser99]

Ministers never made key call to help stranded Afghan interpreters

Dominic Raab and fellow ministers did not speak to Afghan counterparts about evacuations, it emerges.

www.bbc.com

Raab delegated an important call because he was "busy with other calls" or as the rest of us call it, lounging in the sun.