Making the Case for America’s Mission in Afghanistan

Watch Gen. John M. “Jack” Keane, Former Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army delivers remarks-followed by a panel discussion with Ambassador Husain Haqqani, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S. and Director for South and Central Asia, Hudson Institute; Clifford D. May-Founder and President, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Christopher D. Kolenda, Ph.D.
Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security; Elizabeth Threlkeld, Fellow and Deputy Director, South Asia Program, Stimson Center
The situation in Afghanistan in 2020 is a far cry from what it was when the U.S. invaded in response to the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Still, any timeline for a U.S. troop withdrawal must be dictated by U.S. national interests and conditions on the ground, not an artificial political timetable.
Any withdrawal that is driven by politics would be a grave strategic error. So, too, would be a bad deal with the Taliban, or one that does not directly involve the Afghan government.
Any of these scenarios would have long-term negative consequences for the people of Afghanistan and for U.S. interests in the region.

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

Gen Keane & his army should be congratulated for ultimately getting the Taliban (at least the tactical fighters) "tired" in the last 2 decades! What would it take to kill the top brass chilling out in Pakistan? Another 9/11? Or some people need to lose their pensions?

[@lewdnclear495]

Taliban gabbed them by their tussies!

[@donquixote1026]

"Hubris and mendacity".."Hubris and Mendacity".."Hubris and "mendacity".. I stopped counting how many times this was mentioned in Congress last month. When John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), testified on Jan. 15 before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Its the same syndrome (in the Banking industry) that created the 2008 criris. Basically we need a Dodd Frank for the defence industry. There should be option to clawback the pensions and perks. And America's kids gloves for Pakistan will one day strangle its own neck.

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

This guy looks & talks like Robert McNamara's ghost

[@lisaray6108]

Afghanistan will be a battle ground for proxies of other Islamic nations. However its amazing how the Hindu banias of Hindoostan picked 30 some old Saudi crown prince and Im d dim (Imran) got 90 some old Malay Maverick Mahathir.

[@nikunjkedia5305]

Pakistan most likely transferring (read selling) nukes to Turkey

[@Manish_Kumar_Singh]

Mahathi is out, Saudis will stay. And remember hindus have seen more conflicts, oppression and political maneuvering in past by surving under ISIS like conditions below Muslim imperialist for 3k yrs and later under anarco-capitilists British. We have seen insurgency from ultra-leftist communists in deccan tribal india, ethnonationalists in the dense mountains (similar to afganistan) in our North-East and the very best trained insurgents one can find in the world from Pakistan. We have also fought 5 conventional wars with our neighbors. On the opposite side of the coin, We Have funded political overthrow of countries like Nepal and East-Pakistan, Sikkim and manipur. Tried and failed in China, Shrilanka & Mayanmar. So on the surface pakistani establishment might have a superiority complex over hindoos. But when it actually comes to keeping scores, numbers don't lie. Also, use real names online. It's super Cringe when US brownies use White names

[@ayazwazir2859]

No one talks about the list of beneficiaries of 9/11 and Afghan war #1 China-they grew silently when US was busy. All the while supporting Pakistan hosting Taliban and AQ. They had supplied weapons to the Mujahiddins against Russians and now to Talibans..but not a single Chinese casualty. They might recruit the Taliban to guard the CPEC. #2 India-they got back foothold in afghanistan free riding on the US military. 9/11 is the ultimate vindication of India's warnings about Pakistan. #3 Pakistan army- Billions from Soviet jihad, then sheltered Osama Bin Laden (surely Saudis were paying), since 9/11 again Billions from the US, F16s etc. They even run the NATO supply line while supplying most of the explosives to Taliban and the Taliban Heroin to the west! #4 UAE, Qatar etc-Specifically Dubai is the destination for much of the funds siphoned out of Afghanistan as well as by hosting security companies like Halliburton. #5 US contractors and arm manufacturers #6 Afghan warlords & politiciansMake sure now Iran, Russia don't reach the gravy train. Only true losers are the US taxpayers and poor Afghans.

[@donquixote1026]

The US security establsihment is the biggest beneficiary...they failed to protect homeland..WTC was attacked twice till it was gone (BTW both attacks planned by the same Pakistani family, Ramzi and KSM). But since 9/11 the country has to depend on these same morons to carry out these wars. There hasn't been another 9/11 simply because the attack was so successful. US lured to & trapped in Afghan dungeon, Pakistan is milking Billions, even Saudis/Qataris are "helping." People forgot that KSM was conducting his worldwide terror network from the same Qatar!! In the meantime NSA managed to lose control on its top secrets & diplomatic cables, CIA got a boss that sucks Putin's cock!! Drain the swamp!!

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

Pakistani army should be congratulated!! They were treaty allies with the US but sheltered its worst enemy (Bin laden) and now are ally with its new enemy China. They supply guns to the Taliban, run supply convoys to Taliban's enemies and also export Taliban's Opium to the west. They are the true heirs of the British East India Company!! No wonder both wrecked Bengal.

[@lewdnclear495]

@@straightascorkscrew7400 hopefully America does not pay them for carrying its fallen soldiers!

[@zindaskrashid9670]

India arguably gained as much as China. Indian officials don't have to play their broken record on Pakistani terrorism anymore...their western colleagues & media are saying them round the clock. In the meantime, they secured Kashmir using the Taliban boggey man. The terrain is kashmir is the ideal place to train the friendly faction of Pashtuns for their fight against the Punjabi establishment.

[@nicholasschwetner6100]

Since 1979, Saudis and GCC have supported these Sunni jihadis to ultimately harass Iran. Even if US-Russia, India-Pakistan step back, the Muslims can create their own hell.

[@ayannashoba8426]

Residual US troops in Afghanistan will face more danger from the govt troops than the Taliban. Afghanistan has no place for losers in it's history.

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

US agencies & military can't protect their homeland naval bases from insider terrorist attacks..last one being Florida. How can they protect bases in Afghanistan? Afghans are extremely practical people. No tolerance for fickle mindedness or weakness.

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

US base personnel should use the bullet-proof schoolbags that some schools are recommending to kids.

[@donquixote1026]

@@straightascorkscrew7400 "insider" or "invited" terrorist attacks?

[@zindaskrashid9670]

NATO means No Action Talk Only..is the new crude banter from Taliban. Hussain Haqqani has to stop retelling the old Taliban joke---while US has the watches, Taliban has the time.

[@totontoton4295]

Hussain Haqqani is on a truth and reconciliation mission on behalf of Pakistan army. #He was the political advisor to Nawaj Sharif when he had 6 meeting with Osama Bin Laden (according to murdered journalist Saleem Shahzad or murdered ISI col Khalid Khawaja) # He was Benazir Bhutto’s advisor when she transferred Uranium enrichment to North Korea # He was defending Pakistan when Bin Laden was found in Abottabad-Hussain Haqqani # In the 80s, who was liaising between the US & Pak army for sabotages in Sri Lanka (against IPKF). Now he tells Taliban jokes that America wants to hear.

[@nikunjkedia5305]

Ahle-Danish ne bahut soch ke uljhai hai (the wise enemy planned meticulously).. Saudis & other Arab regimes, Muslim Brotherhood & Pakistani army thoroughly planned 9-11. One has to read Sayeed Qutub on how they always wanted to provoke America into a war of attrition. In which the facade of justice or freedom will come down. They were only waiting for the Islamic nuclear bomb. America has reacted exactly as the enemy wanted it to. Habeas Corpus was suspended in Patriot act, Islamophobia in US & UK, "never ending" wars in haste, Trump & BREXIT, US troops taken hostage in Afghanistan etc. Its hard to avoid Urdu poetry when discussing any problem in that part of the world. There is one about someone stuck with a difficult problem (like the US in Afghanistan). They should first appreciate the meticulous thinking of the planners. (Ghair mumkin hai ki haalaat ki gutthi suljhe, Ahle-Danish ne bahut soch ke uljhai hai).

[@totontoton4295]

PakMan Not only 9/11, the previous attack on WTC were both planned by Pakistanis. First by Ramzi Yusuf (fled to Pakistan under Pak army shelter, returned by Benazir Bhutto, costing her life ultimately). Plan was to topple one tower over the other & kill 100k Americans. 9/11 by Khalid Sk Mohd, caught from ISI safe house in Karachi. The Pakistani scientists Aafia Siddiqui and Sultan Bashir Mahmood were caught transferring Biological & nuclear tech to jihadis. There won’t be a third attack because WTC is gone. Not because CIA is any smarter

[@totontoton4295]

Hussain Haqqani knows what these “Ahl e Danish” (wise men) were thinking when they planned 9/11 sitting under Pakistani nuclear umbrella. May be he is one of them. Just check his CV: # Who was the political advisor to Nawaj Sharif when he had 6 meeting with Osama Bin Laden (according to murdered journalist Saleem Shahzad or murdered ISI col Khalid Khawaja) -Hussain Haqqani # Who was Benazir Bhutto’s advisor when she transferred Uranium enrichment to North Korea-Hussain Haqqani # Who was defending Pakistan when Bin Laden was found in Abottabad-Hussain Haqqani # Who tells Taliban jokes that America wants to hear now-Hussain Haqqani. # In the 80s, who was liaising between the US & Pak army for sabotages in Sri Lanka (against IPKF)-Hussain Haqqani Basically now he is on a truth and reconciliation mission on behalf of Pakistan army.

[@ashalivarma4623]

Two days after peace deal Taliban killed 20 Afghan soldiers. Than they were attacked. Peace deal unravelling.

[@CCGR-2024]

This was a great speaker and panel, well done!

[@farmanullah92]

Who are you to decide the Future of Afghanistan the future of Afghanistan decided the people of Afghanistan

military, discussion proves we are already beaten & have only to have our heads cut off.

[@straightascorkscrew7400]

Afghans are the "Wrong Enemy." Read more in the book of that name by Carlotta Gall. US is taken hostage by Pakistanis under their nuclear umbrella.

[@totontoton4295]

James Sesame DON’T FORGET 9/11-the very “case” for American mission in Afghanistan. DON’T FORGET that, not only 9/11, the previous attack on WTC were both planned by Pakistanis. First by Ramzi Yusuf (fled to Pakistan under Pak army shelter, returned by Benazir Bhutto, costing her life ultimately). Plan was to topple one tower over the other & kill 100k Americans. 9/11 by Khalid Sk Mohd, caught from ISI safe house in Karachi. There won’t be a third attack because WTC is gone. Not because CIA is any smarter, despite Putin & his Sergeis all over DC.