This is good, but there will almost certainly be none of the searching re-evaluation of basic assumptions and approaches that needs to take place.
“UK lawmakers condemn PM Johnson and U.S. President Biden over Afghanistan,” by William James and Elizabeth Piper, Reuters, August 18, 2021:
LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) – British lawmakers vented their anger on Wednesday at Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden over the collapse of Afghanistan into Taliban hands, calling it a failure of intelligence, leadership and moral duty.
Speaking at an emergency session of parliament, recalled from its summer break to discuss Afghanistan, Johnson said the Taliban would be judged on their actions, not their words, after they sought to convince the world they would not seek revenge. read more
But, barely a minute into his opening address, Johnson faced a critical interruption from a member of his own Conservative Party, setting the tone for what would be a sceptically-received speech about how Britain wanted to be at the heart of an international coalition holding the Taliban to account.
“We will judge this regime based on the choices it makes, and by its actions rather than by its words, on its attitude to terrorism, to crime and narcotics, as well as humanitarian access, and the rights of girls to receive an education,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who attempted to head for a holiday on Saturday only to return as the Taliban closed in on the Afghan capital, was accused of “careless leadership” by opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer.
“There’s been a major miscalculation of the resilience of the Afghan forces and staggering complacency from our government about the Taliban,” Starmer said.
Former Conservative prime minister Theresa May also asked how Britain could have so miscalculated the strength of the Taliban, which took Kabul on Sunday in a lightning offensive.
“Was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak? Was our knowledge of the position on the ground so inadequate?” she asked her successor. “Or did we just feel that we have to follow the United States and hope that, on a wing and a prayer, it would be all right on the night.”…
Infidel says
From what I have been following from reactions to this from Europe, they are concluding that regardless of who’s in power, the US is going to go w/ an America First approach when it comes to ‘protecting them’
That’s good! WWII ended some 75 years ago, and the Cold War 30 years ago. There is no reason for a NATO any more, and there is no reason for us to have troops in Germany. If the EU wants to put together an army to defend their interests anywhere, let them! Regardless of what one thinks of the Biden withdrawal and the way it was executed, there is no reason for us to be doing this so that elitists in London, Brussels, Berlin, Paris et al will like us
James Lincoln says
Infidel,
Historically, at least one reason why we have had troops to Germany is to protect against the threat from the Soviets – now Russia.
That’s one big reason why Pres. Trump wanted sanctions to prevent the completion of Nord Stream 2.
Infidel says
James
The Soviets/Warsaw Pact threatened West Germany. Things have been pretty different since 1991: Germany is re-unified, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary are all NATO members (don’t recall about Romania), and the only countries that stand to be immediately threatened by Russia are ex Soviet Republics
So our troops should either have been moved completely out of Germany to either:
– East European countries, such as Poland and Czech Republic
– Back to the US
Also I wouldn’t blame Russia for being paranoid if NATO arrived at Belarus. It would be the equivalent of the Cuban missile crisis, but imagine out capital being at Miami instead of DC. That’s the situation w/ the Russians: Moscow is a border city if Belarus becomes a part of NATO. Very different from during the Cold War, when Moscow was pretty well insulated by Byelorussia, Poland and East Germany
At any rate, the way I see it, it’s time to part ways w/ NATO. The countries most threatened by Russia are Ukraine and the Baltic Republics, so if we want to protect them, we can have bilateral agreements w/ them
James Lincoln says
An astute analysis, Infidel.
Thank you for your reply…
PMK says
Theresa May is asking these questions? What did SHE know and when did SHE know it?
“Was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak? Was our knowledge of the position on the ground so inadequate?”
She was PM for a good part of Trump’s term. What did she do about Afghanistan?
Walter Sieruk says
That Prime minister Boris Johnson may be guilty of mishandling the situation of Afghanistan ,nevertheless, that in any way indicates that Joe Biden isn’t just and guilty for the destruction of any ,somewhat, “good” and terrorist free government in Afghanistan.
It was totally unconscionable and fiendish of President Pretender, Joe Biden just threw away and totally destroyed nearly twenty years of progress accomplished by the blood sweat and tears and even the deaths of many Americans as well as those blood, sweat and tears of America’s allies.
Also Biden threw away more than trillion of the American taxpayers money that was invested in for the betterment and development of Afghanistan.
This tragic scenario didn’t actually have to had happen in Afghanistan because the generals of the Pentagon who are strategic military advisers to the President strongly counseled Biden not to have a sharp, sudden withdraw from Afghanistan but instead have and start a gradual drawback of the US armed forces after September 11, 2021.
The problem was that the arrogant conceited and stupid Joe Biden refused to heed or listen to the wise council of the intellects of the Pentagon. Therefore is this complete catastrophe with the Taliban total takeover of Afghanistan.
In the ancient but wisdom filled book by Sun Tzu entitled THE ART OF WAR, it is written “He will win who has the military capability and is not interfered with the sovereign.”
That awful incompetent and probably even treasonous villain, Joe Biden, ruined everything.
Wellington says
Imagine, if you will, if Western Civilization from its outset had only Biden and Johnson types to advance itself.
I believe I can thoroughly rest my case per the above comment.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
I get it.
And, closer to the present:
If they had been “in charge” during World War II, the Allies would have lost…
gravenimage says
UK lawmakers condemn Biden and Boris Johnson for mishandling Afghanistan
…………….
It’s been pretty bad…
Not sure most UK lawmakers would have done much better, though, sadly…