151 | Ret. General Dan Bolger: Why We Lost in Afghanistan and Iraq

[@richardbowles7690]

This is one of the best discussions I have ever heard. So refreshing to hear from those involved. Gen. Bolger is clear and curt, and its easy to follow his logic. Thank you.

[@the_derpler]

This guy should be a regular. There is something about him that speaks to the common person.

[@smokerx893]

it might be the common sense he uses when he speaks

[@mns8732]

They're trained that way.

[@therealdonelaitis]

Guys - what a fantastic listen. As a military vet, I found the General’s history lesson incredibly insightful. Reminded me of the best military lecturers I had while at Annapolis.

[@mikeg1483]

Thank u for ur service shipmate

[@raykirkham5357]

This "war" was a war against "terrorists." Don't tell me what a pretty story this asshole has laid out to justify what was done. We have people still in Guantanamo who have been tortured and murdered. This war was an attempt to "take the " oil, the lithium, the cobalt, etc. This guy is probably a war criminal.

[@anypercentdeathless]

He's illiterate.

[@VagabondKing100]

This has been your best interview/podcast. The commentary on current events, the questions you asked General Bolger, and his integrity in retelling what he experienced, is just so goddamn important to see and hear. I know there are good officers and enlisted who will speak plainly; thank you for finding one and giving him a place to speak.

[@WWROABM]

This was one of your best episodes. All Americans and US policy makers need to listen to this guy.

[@boba.2343]

This was the best thing I have seen yet on Afghanistan.

[@Rianna93]

This is such a good conversation. I wish they had shown me this in my American History courses at the university! Thank you fellas for inviting this wealth of knowledge!

[@bkerrkerr3124]

Bolger is the man. Actually is honest, knowledgeable and clear. Bravo.

[@kingsleyperera9655]

"' History Teaches Us that Man Learns Nothing from HISTORY "' (Hegel)

[@Dave183]

Hegel, rather than Marx leads the Chinese economic success... ...they set out to learn from their mistakes!

[@kingsleyperera9655]

@@Dave183 Fully Agree ! Thanks.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

You mean dumb man.

[@mp00293]

You guys should consider longer episodes in this new season. An hour isn't enough for some discussions.

[@BT-dq1me]

I could’ve listened to this go on for another hour.

[@enzoh7763]

This episode content is awesome, Almost no bs .

[@Lazris59]

I do like the 2-3 hour talks like Lex Fridman and Joe Rogan. Especially with topics like these... they can go on forever (and should).

[@frankd4875]

I just found this, and this was an amazing interview w/ Gen. Bolger. The US needs sensible men like him in control of our military!

[@mekan0001]

Guys. You both did an incredible job here. Too often interviewers need to interrupt with probing questions that completely interrupt the natural progression of the story. Love that you both played the active listener roles in this one.

[@IsidorEitch]

Best interview I've seen about the recent happenings in Afghanistan. Two good interviewers and the General shed clear and to the point light. Thank you gentlemen.

[@mikeoveli1028]

I don't think he said anything that 2as not known by every liberal in the country. It was the wrong country, at the wrong time, for the wrong reason.

[@Astuga]

I did find this more interesting and with a deeper insight. Tom Ricks: U.S. Military Leadership In Decline kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvFmXyoZZl1a8k

[@Tophet1]

@@mikeoveli1028 It's not a conservative or liberal 'thing'. Its the exportation of an alien culture that can not adapt to the foreign countries.

[@mr7wi]

Brilliant work. Great to have intelligent honest questions without spin or partisan points of view. Many Canadians died in Afghanistan in service to my country. I hope we learn from this so no other families suffer the needless loss in a futile war.

[@scottgarriott3884]

Brilliant speaker, and very good at boiling things down to concise and memorable points. This guy knows that understanding history is incredibly important!

[@ryane1383]

NOTE TO KZbin EDITOR: The realignment logo is blocked by the timestamp in the bottom right corner of all the video previews

[@Mart-Bro]

Good spot

[@aldrinspeck2724]

"killing the elephant is easy, the hard part is removing the carcass" (Safari Hunter)

[@enzoh7763]

Thanks for sharing , Removing a carcass is difficult .

[@charlesmorse386]

Yeah it's the hardest part of hunting but moose roast is worth it!!!

[@tennesseejacks]

"Social work out of a barrel of a gun is a bad proposition." Well said, General.

[@lovebirdlab]

My brother was special forces and fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. He made a deliberate decision to go the Civil Affairs career track: built schools, trained cops, built bridges and roads, established literacy and health programs, drilled wells, won hearts and minds. Civil Affairs track is a kiss of death for a military career, a dead end, much harder to get ahead and be promoted than troops on Combat Arms tracks.

[@green_monday]

I liked this conversation but none of it was the economic, predatory motivations that put a country like ours on the ground in a country like Afghanistan. Money was made and resources were plundered by U.S. military industrial complex hawks. And this is nothing but a pivot to hit even more vulnerable states besides the ones we're already meddling with.

[@Childlesscatlaby]

@hazel Monday, you're right. Disaster Capitalism, fueled by the warmongering male egos leading the Pentagon, is only incintivised to create more disasters. Then, the game of playing out their "savior" narrative continues it's vicious cycle. If building a "democratic society" had really been the US aim, educating citizens to create self-sustaining local economies could have helped them better manage the collapse they're faced with now.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

The Deep State that runs this country has surrendered to the Taliban and thus empowered all terrorist Islamic groups. Biden is simply a puppet.

[@raysubsonic]

@@Seekthetruth3000 u been red-pilled bud.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

@@raysubsonic ????

[@yannick245]

@@Seekthetruth3000 Biden is obviously senile. He basically can't blamed for anything.

[@APerson-lk3ys]

Finally Saagar shuts up long enough to have one of the best interviews of his career. :)

[@azaddpersad7021]

Why nobody talks about The Rear Earths. The Pipeline from Central Asia, and Gemstones and other minerals, and Afghanistan had nothing to do with 911, for that look within your government. Like The Bay Of Tonkin.

[@utkarshsahu1998nn]

This was such a amazing episode. You should definitely need to get him more. Make him a regular. Also please do longer episode with him especially.

[@mindyourbusinessxoxo]

FINALLY! I've been looking all over KZbin for something like this!

[@beautifulportland9592]

Excellent reporting . . . The Truth will set You Free . . . .!

[@maxchavez5032]

This has been one of the best breakdowns during all of this mess.

[@namesurname8725]

As a sunni muslim i can tell you that the mistakes that the U.S made in the Islamic World will not be forgotten in the next centuries. This our Century of Humiliation that China went through.

[@joehuss8296]

I am glad to hear this General explain how we failed to promote literacy. I agree. I pushed for schools in Afghanistan back in 1989.

[@westleymanc]

Rejoice, Afghanistan is liberated. Victory to The Resistance

[@ilovenyiloveny1140]

@@haraldyes9957 Independence means totalitarianism for the regions.

[@BlizAce]

This needs to go viral

[@Davi-ep9pw]

Excellent Gen Bolger...thank you for being human than a soldier 👍

[@rudypingue7369]

Awesome interview! Thank you, General, for talking turkey to us ordinary citizens who don't see the dynamics of military & political from your learned perspective. I've learned so much!

[@interstelar7396]

Wow, it's almost like all of the people protesting in the streets before the Afghan War and especially the Iraq War getting teargassed and called traitors were 100% right in their predictions that this would end exactly the way it has ended. Rip the bandaid off and bring our people home. Unwinnable quagmire and it always was.

[@mikeoveli1028]

Thank you very much. All I hear is of course it was Obama's fault and Biden should not have pulled out. Then they complain about our economy because we give poor children free lunch.

[@John-km2uw]

Wonderful interview, awesome conversation, thank you. 'Never seen "The Realignment" before now. Lucky find...j

[@harivatsaparameshwaran4174]

Considering how many important people you guys have in this show , you might have enough cred to run for president together lol. Good episode again , back to the professional attire haha.

[@michaelmauro2607]

They'd get my vote!

[@adameanglin]

I like how these two did their homework on what questions to ask.

[@suburbanhousewife40]

“ Social work at the barrel of a gun is a loosing proposition”. Damn Right!

[@joehuss8296]

I knew all of this back in 2004.!

[@nightoftheworld]

27:16 “But the problem is-some things are just not solvable by an external force.” - Ret. General Dan Bolgor

[@gpcovenant]

It’s great to hear a competent general speak. My only issue is that we are never in these protracted guerrilla wars for military reasons, but economic, and that point is being divorced from the debate. Why we ended up in Afghanistan is neither surprising or incompetence. It was incredibly lucrative for private industry, and the allies of private industry in the armed services,who lobby for endless war.

[@braulioNYC]

Fighting for country VS. Fighting for money.

[@cristianluna5568]

Strategy wins wars Tactics wins battles Logistics keeps an army running But it’s good governance and good quality services that wins hearts and minds.

[@frontseated5983]

It was indeed an enormous victory we had in Afghanistan and we withdrew in a glorious parade. Make no mistake, we were not chased out of Afghanistan !

[@nats50]

Losers have illusions of victory. When ego kicks in, It's called IN DENIAL! You have a lot to learn whoever you are.

[@IronWolf1966]

I usually have to take a pass on your episodes due to the length. I am so glad I was able to spend the time and listen to this one. I have this episode saved to my Things to Remember folder.

[@zubinsanyal4233]

This was a fantastic watch. Thanks for putting this together guys

[@Ny-kelCameron]

This was an excellent interview. My impression of the general is one of relatability. Even though he spent years in the military, he doesn't seem carry his experience with him outside the service that to me many do. The way he describes things, the way he talks; comes across like a bridge between the military and civilian.

[@jimluebke3869]

"Bush didn't throw everything we had into Tora Bora" Remember how Gen Bolger said it's hard to find people on the ground? The reason we didn't go after Bin Ladin, is at a certain point, the local guides simply wouldn't guide us there anymore. We would have had to fight the last miles to catch him, while trying to figure out which of our allies were protecting him (and fighting them as well) while NOT shooting the guys who were actually ON our side. And according to Gen. Bolger here, they outnumbered us, too. Great.

[@1stCMWARTIME]

They asked for a cease fire that December due to the women and children they had with them..........when the call came in, instead of granting it we should have tripled the bombing. No guarantee but far better than what we did. Hind sight is too late.

[@edwardwong654]

Great video. The hour went really fast. And thank you Gen Dan for your service and wisdom.

[@Chucku153]

THE GENERAL IS VERY GOOD AND VERY ANALYTICAL!!!EXCELLENT HISTORICAL REVIEW!!

[@advisorywarning]

This is the best episode I’ve listened to about the war(s) by far. Great guest- I look forward to reading his books

[@welliguessthereweare6382]

This was one of the best, well done gentlemen…

[@BT-dq1me]

Marshall ending the pod with the tease of a discussion on the current evacuation issue! Probably the right call but man I wanted to hear you guys discuss differences!!

[@malcolmmarzo2461]

As a veteran of the Vietnam War Crime, I can say the Afghanistan War Crime was fought for the same reason: not to win anything in the conventional sense but to enrichen the elites who fool the average person with appeals to "patriotism."

[@zulfhashimmi2040]

That is EVERY war , war is a racket

[@davidcwitkin6729]

GREAT EPISODE! Sidebar: Has NOBODY seen The Princess Bride? "Never get involved in a land war in Asia, and never go in against a Sicilian, when Death is on the line!"

[@BT-dq1me]

I was waiting for that!

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

_Inconceivable_

[@Razaiel]

@@WackadoodleMalarkey You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[@btrxzeight9170]

Thank you for this.

[@philipdamask2279]

You need to address the military industrial complex and the desire of generals to get into wars in order to advance their careers. Also, how do you keep a strong military without having them actually experience a fighting situation.

[@theashpilez]

To arm and educate. Mission accomplished.

[@jimmygravitt1048]

I disagree with some of what has been said. However, you definitely get a like because the interview was incredibly well done. Kudos gentlemen.

[@malcolmneate5852]

Great and insightful interview. Cheers fellas!!

[@gedankenexplosion5690]

Great interview, thank you very much, please keep at it!

[@larrysills3950]

the three of you are absolute legends, general bloger more so. buying his book right after this and hope to see him in the future

[@DJRAJEE]

Thank you for this my first time here

[@chrisryedk]

A great story teller! So facinating - he should lecture on these topics for Congress at any inauguration. Preferably for hours on end. -With a test afterwards!

[@KawaiiKasai]

This intro always has me vibing

[@sdfgikbvcdfjy]

Another great episode guys. Would love it if you had Bolger back on again, your conversation was great throughout.

[@ronhmclaughlin]

I have much of the Gen’s work. He was most certainly a thought leader when he was on Active Duty.

[@billclarke3754]

Great discussion. Plenty of history available on the dangers of military intervention in Afghanistan- but our leaders didn't bother to read it.

[@truthbtold2910]

There are a few reasons why we "lost." 1. Afghanistan is called "the graveyard of empires" for a reason. No one, as far back as the Roman's, has ever subdued those people. These people dont bend a knee to anyone. 2. The Aphgan people have been fighting someone for a very long time. They are uses to fighting. I'm sure they just looked at America as 'next up.' Same thing in Vietnam. 3. Asian cultures are taught to sacrifice themselves, and and lives for the 'cause.' Western cultures are taught to protect life. It is self focused, to not sacrifice self, almost to anything. 4. They are very skilled at fighting w 'old technology.' Bolt rifles, home made IEDs. They know how to use 'our stuff against us' very effectively. 5. They got Religion. They are Muslim. They eat, sleep, and breathe their Muslim faith. The West, not so much. We have lost our faith, for the most part. We are more and more secular, socialist. There's more, but this will do for now. ✌out.

[@davidconcepcion5082]

This guy is wonderful

[@jaynoyd]

Another really good assessment of the current Afghanistan/Taliban situation comes from the Caspian Report.

[@zakariyeyahye5566]

Pakistanis, Afghanis, Somalis, Syrians, Iraqis, Kurds, Filipinos, Taiwanese, And South Vietnamese Should All Learn From History; From The Fall Of Saigon, April 30, 1975 To The Fall Of Kabul, August 15, 2021. With An Ally Like America, Who Needs An Enemy?!

[@anonymouse68]

That was really interesting, I don't normally watch chat shows like this but I watched the lot.

[@mephik]

Remember growing up and just believing the only people we'd allow to lead us would at least be able to manage recent history in their decision making? Good times!

[@gregorypierquet6321]

Incredible conversation, guys. Thank you.

[@lyonellaverde3135]

I hope more Americans listen to this informative discusion about what happened recently and general military history.

[@JS443]

Because it makes the Defense Industrial Complex rich 💵💵

[@ishakmohamadisa7961]

great discussion, TQ

[@mattanderson6672]

Thank you

[@lorrainewest8264]

An extremely enlightening discussion. Many thanks to all of you.

[@mikyas4238]

wow really deep knowledge from the general just stating facts not taking any sides very articulate and interesting conversation

[@kinggamez2667]

Wow this Dan Bolger character is fucking brilliant

[@joelmccoy9969]

An attempt at nation-building at an altitude you are not adapted to, with a culture/history you refuse to study, a language you refuse to learn, a religion you reject out of hand, with human beings you refer to as 'acceptable collateral damage', with a supply line that is exclusively airfreighted, at a distance that is too far, too expensive, too remote to perform this mission, to change this country with infantery that were not born at the time of its' inception. I'm forgetting more than half the reasons to never go there.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

2015 “Lessons Learned” report very plainly said that “we don’t have the foggiest idea what we are doing”…..

[@dkkuhn87]

Came from BPs. Easiest subscribe ever. This is a great show! I def agree with others that you need to consider going longer duration 👍

[@jep3305]

Great conversation. Thanks a lot for this! Stay safe.

[@dougm5341]

This was a truely enlightening discussion. Well done.

[@DJRAJEE]

Thank you very much

[@marketalpha5426]

"irregular war is the antidote to regular war" god that is painful :(

[@8BitNaptime]

I hope he misspoke. Maybe he meant "antithesis".

[@jeffbrewer1580]

@@8BitNaptime not really. If you can't match your enemy then the antidote to that problem is guerrilla war

[@8BitNaptime]

@@jeffbrewer1580 Antipode?

[@jeffbrewer1580]

@@8BitNaptime sorry typing on phone

[@udeychowdhury2529]

Seriously good, thanks

[@jameslatimer3600]

Good to see you still active Sagar. But I agree with the view that, like Joe Rogan, your show should be much longer. This show has brought out so much detail that the regular citizen did not understand.

[@budponders8251]

We made absolutely no effort to win, no one ever even made a plan.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

You hit the nail exactly on the head. It was not the military who failed but the civilian leadership from Bush till Biden. They did not determine what exactly the aim or target was and what the strategy or plan to hit that target was. They kept changing their minds.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

@@tamaliaalisjahbana9354 The Deep State has decided to empower the Taliban and other terrorist Islamic groups by surrendering to the Taliban, Biden is simply a puppet.

[@77sreedhar]

Very interesting video with details from General

[@jimluebke3869]

The lesson that we thought we learned from the first and second Gulf Wars, is not that this was easy. (Though to some degree it was.) The lesson we learned was, "If we just support local strongmen, they turn against us when they can - so we have to free their people." I'm not sure anyone thought THAT was going to be easy, although at the end of the Cold War we did think it was inevitable.

[@africanlion3142]

Great interview

[@jamesgiven2734]

This IS the episode that had me subscribe. Well done.

[@thb6680]

My daughter had Gen. Dan Bolger for a class at NC State. He was an excellent instructor. I think it was on Russian history.

[@therealignment]

Very cool!

[@etherdbk]

Very good discussion. Thank you for your insight.

[@LotsOfThoughts]

Great insight, thanks

[@waynejones1996]

Awesome discussion, thanks guys

[@mostreal907]

Saagar always got the drip. Great podcast.