The greatest debacle since Dunkirk?

[Surpmil]

Certainly the most impressive abandonment of military equipment since Dunkirk.

About 120 modern a/c as well, and best of all, biometric details of just about all Afghans who "worked with the United States since we went there".

I guess the Taliban will make a few bucks selling off all that stuff - now I wonder who would want to buy it?

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[Badger]

Let's be careful with this thread. Although it's not directly political, it has the potential to go off the rails and into politics. I'll leave it up for now.

If you wish to discuss the politics of this, then please use the appropriate venue described in the thread titled Where can I discuss politics and gun legislation issues? (click here).

Regards,
Doug

[Flying10uk]

We evacuated around 330,000 British and allied personnel off the beaches of Dunkirk yet it was still a military disaster and some effort was made to destroy at least some of the equipment left behind in France.

The important thing now is that those Americans and other foreign nationals still in Afghanistan who do still need to get out find a way of doing so. One can't expect the White House to publicly explain their plans to evacuate the remaining Americans before any such plans have been executed because, presumably, the Taliban listen to the news.

I still believe that the "West" will have to go back into Afghanistan at some point in the future, like it or not.

[Daan Kemp]

Be aware of the source of the 'news'. Much equipment was transferred to Afghanistan over more than a decade, IIRC, so belonging officially to the previous Afghan government. How much was really 'abandoned'? Good question. How much did the USSR leave behind? Another good question.
As to the West interfering in Afghanistan in the future, good luck. All previous 'interferences' over the centuries were strenuously opposed by the Afghanis, 'successfully' as history shows. It might be better to allow them to determine their own future.

[shadycon]

Don't forget spare parts and ammunition.

[CINDERS]

Apparently they the Taliban now have more Blackhawk helicopters that the Australian Armed Forces!

[Aragorn243]

Most of this equipment did belong to the Afghan government so not exactly sure how much blame is deserved and who it belongs too.

That being said, none of this is going to have the top of the line specifications in current use in the US military. It shouldn't anyway. That stuff is not generally transferred to minor allies. There are reports some of it has already been transferred to Iran which is interesting. The Taliban probably has little use for it. They aren't planning on taking over anyone else and wouldn't have the capability of maintaining it for very long anyway. Spare parts will become an issue pretty fast, especially with the more technologically advanced stuff.

It was still a massive debacle.

[Daan Kemp]

I hope I'm not belabouring the point, but debacle for whom? Depends on your perception, doesn't it?
We have interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs long enough. It is now up to them, however they do it. Yes, it probably may go badly for a time, who knows?

[Surpmil]

I hope I'm not belabouring the point, but debacle for whom? Depends on your perception, doesn't it?
We have interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs long enough. It is now up to them, however they do it. Yes, it probably may go badly for a time, who knows?

I entirely agree about leaving them alone. "War is [often] a Racket" ,as General Smedley Butler USMC titled his book long, long ago!

[Workaholic]

Debacle, yes. Leaving them alone? Not sure. Several ways it could go in my opinion. Could be a lot of infighting, not allowing a government to get established. Could be that they follow whoever the leader is now. Or some other version. I fully expect that we haven't heard the last of that country, and it won't be too long before they start up some sort of trouble with a different country. Also expect despite what has been said by the President, I fully expect we, or someone, will have to return to Afghanistan, and that will return will be very costly.