Hi Issy,

Great result for the Imperialists in Korea, 70 years later and no unification, a crazy dictatorship running the country, that's in the South, there's an absolute nut job running the North, and 28,500 American mercenaries on the ground. Korea is a worse result than Vietnam. Post WWII both Korea and Vietnam should have exercised 'self determination', something the warmongers of the West would not allow.

The truth is none of the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan etc were fought by the West, should I say America, others involvment was only tokenism, for the ideals of "freedom and democracy", rather they were fought for their own selfish interests of political and economic advantage. The American economy grew strong on war, it fed the military/industrial complex that Eisenhower spoke of in 1961. Now America is in decline and war is the only alternative to restore their position of power and dominance. China is a threat to World peace, America is a much greater threat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg-jvHynP9Y&ab_channel=USNationalArchives

Paul,
Sure it’s a great result, not all our imports come from China.

President Trump signed Afghanistan over to the Taliban over a year ago. Why are people surprised the Afghan armed forces weren't willing to do anything other than recognise that reality and lessen the potential harm to both themselves and their families and by laying down their arms?

That there should be panic among those who tied themselves to the invading forces is also perfectly understandable.

What other scenario do people imagine might have happened here once the die was set?

AFGHAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEFS ESCAPE

Approx 40 senior officials in the Taliban ousted Afghan government have been smuggled to Turkey in recent days. They include Afghanistan’s intelligence chief. The Afghan officials were smuggled out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan by Turkish military and intelligence operatives. The latter reportedly hid the officials among crowds of Turkish citizens who were evacuated from Kabul in recent days, as Taliban entered Kabul.

AIR EVACUATION FROM KABUL AIRPORT LIKELY TO END AS AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN ENTERING/LEAVING AIRPORT

The Taliban have not yet shot down US military transport aircraft carrying refugees from Kabul Airport due to the Taliban's deal months ago with the US goverment - probably lubricated by money to the Taliban. This deal is set to end in a week, on 31 August.

The Taliban are not a monolithic army, but many tribal groups given the "Taliban" label. Some groups may ignore the deal and fire on the aircraft before the 31 August deadline/"redline".

The US transport aircraft can be seen dropping flares leaving Kabul Airport to draw off Taliban shoulder fired heat seeking "smart" missiles.

The Taliban are aware that the aircraft are not safe from RPG7 "dumb" missiles that cannot be jammed or drawn off by flares.

Also the Taliban's heavy (50 cal up) machineguns, particularly with tracer, can shoot down aircraft. Such machineguns (up to 14.5mm) were made in Russia and sold through many middle men.

But the majority of the heavy machineguns are US made 50 cal M2 Brownings gifted by the US to the Afghan Army who, in turn, gifted them to the Taliban, overy the last few weeks.

Are we ng how moderate Muslims stand up to pressure from radical Muslims?

Of course, our moderate Muslims could not be coerced by radicals; comforting.