The future of US and NATO relations with Afghanistan

Discussion in 'Opinion POLLS' started by Durandal, Aug 28, 2021.

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Do we work with the Taliban to support human rights and combat terrorism in Afghanistan, or...

  1. Yes

    4 vote(s)
    40.0%
  2. No

    4 vote(s)
    40.0%
  3. Unsure

    2 vote(s)
    20.0%
  1. Durandal

    Durandal Well-Known Member Donor

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    The full question I have is this:

    Do we work with the Taliban to support human rights and combat terrorism in Afghanistan, or do we wash our hands of it and walk away?

    Since the Taliban takeover is a reality that is not likely to be reversed any time soon, and since the Taliban seem to be opposed to ISIS-K, I wonder how my fellow Americans and other citizens of NATO countries feel about working with the Taliban to support human rights in Afghanistan and perhaps try to achieve greater freedom and more democracy there diplomatically, and I wonder how you all feel about pursuing extremists in Afghanistan in coordination with the Taliban, assuming they are willing to work with us.

    I imagine they would appreciate support if indeed they are the new Taliban they claim to be and will fight these extremists. I sense an opportunity to help the Afghan people in a way we were never able to while we were opposing the Taliban and trying to build an alternative government, as well as a great opportunity to continue fighting extremists who pose a possible threat to us and our allies, at least if they are able to get established in Afghanistan the way al Qaeda was established there over 20 years ago.
     
  2. MJ Davies

    MJ Davies Well-Known Member

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    I like the idea of helping the Afghani people that are victims to their culture and extremists. However, I do not agree that it is our (USA) job to do it. People (individuals, corporations, countries) have the responsibility to stand up and say "No more". We can't MAKE somebody want something better for themselves. We can't inflict our beliefs and values and morals onto people who are not interested. We can't keep sacrificing the men and women in our military on some hope that other people from other cultures will embrace their offerings.

    Historically, the British have always taken over other people's land and pushed them out (if not outright committed genocide). There is no reason that the people of Afghanistan should trust this endeavor. Why should they? In every single invasion, the foundation of who the natives of that land are, has all but been erased.

    I do not agree that tyranny is a long-term solution. However, I also don't agree that forcing OUR will upon others is the right thing to do. We have to stop playing judge, jury and executioner against people whose culture and values we refuse to understand. We've given more than enough time, energy, soldiers' lives (and good health) and taxpayer money to an endeavor that has been futile and a money pit.

    We all work hard to earn a living and pay our taxes and our tax money should be used for the betterment of OUR people. Full stop.
     
  3. Big Richard

    Big Richard Banned

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    Let’s sit this one out for once. Must we be the one to fix everything, suppler every country, support every people. Let’s step back and let the Paki’s, Iranians, Russians, Chinese and Saudi’s work with them on human rights.
     
  4. clg311

    clg311 Well-Known Member

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    The internal affairs of other countries is not our business. Thousands of people died and 2.3 trillion was wasted in Afghanistan on a fools mission.
     
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  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    I believe we can assist the Taliban, but under strict conditions and accountability. We need to transition to an international approach as soon as we get out of there.
     
  6. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    Assisting the Taliban with human rights is like enlisting Hannibal Lector to help with a cooking class.
     
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  7. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    We should encourage business investment. Free market capitalism will corrupt fundamentalism.
     
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  8. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    Unless it helps them get to PARADISE, it will make no difference at all. THIS LIFE doesn't count to radical islamists.
     
  9. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    They are not "radical Islamists". They have a preindustrial conservative tribal system and market forces will force them to deal with the 21st century and the world at large, which may not corrupt all of them them but it will their children.
     
  10. Moonglow

    Moonglow Well-Known Member

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    In no time we will be selling Talc powder made in Afghanistan.
     
  11. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget about the spring poppy crop!
     
  12. Flynn from Az

    Flynn from Az Well-Known Member

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    I think it’s too early to tell. The pragmatic approach would be too work with the Taliban to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a base of operations for international terrorism again.
     
  13. 19Crib

    19Crib Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I don’t think those tribes are capable of peace. Look at that they do to their own?
    I think it is best they are left just eat their own.
    If we start hearing about terrorist plans directed toward us or ours, we take them out.


    Good point. Many grew up under American “cover”.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2021
  14. Bluesguy

    Bluesguy Well-Known Member Donor

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    I think you are living a fantasy. Why do you make such assumptions?
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2021
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  15. Bluesguy

    Bluesguy Well-Known Member Donor

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    There were strict conditions and accountability in the agreement Trump signed with the Taliban..................how'd that work out?
     
  16. Durandal

    Durandal Well-Known Member Donor

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    I'm speculating. It depends on what the Taliban will do, and I'm not making any assumptions what what they will actually do. One thing that is for sure, though, is that if we care about human rights in Afghanistan and if we care about combating ISIS and other such terrorist threats, then we have to look at working with the Taliban unless we want to go resume full-scale warfare in Afghanistan.

    So, ultimately, by asking whether we should work with them, I'm also asking whether we as a country (and you as a respondent) take these matters seriously.
     
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  17. Bluesguy

    Bluesguy Well-Known Member Donor

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    Oh absolutely you are speculating. What is the premise of your speculations? Work with the Taliban so only they get to tramp on human rights and they can support al Qaeda and Hamas and ISIS plan their attacks on the west without interference?

    What do you even mean by "working with"? What exactly does that entail? And why do you think the Taliban wants to work with us as opposed to Iran or China or Russia or Turkey or Pakistan. You believe the Taliban violated the agreement and took over Afghanistan kicking us out so they can now instill western values and culture and law and governance and human rights? I've been watching them on TV they don't exactly look like the "woke" generation to me how about you?
     
  18. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    Radical islamists is exactly what they are. They don't care about money or creature comforts... all they care about is getting to PARADISE... PERIOD. And killing non-believers is the key to attaining that.
     
  19. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    Be careful what you ask for. If Biden won't help our allies overseas, he might start using them at home as you want to. He may use them against US.
     
  20. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    Hmm, that is not their past pattern of behavior....unless you can prove otherwise.
     
  21. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    You missed this?
    You missed this?
    https://nypost.com/2021/07/13/taliban-executes-afghan-special-forces-soldiers-video/

    And this?
    https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/08/world/asia/afghanistan-public-execution/index.html


    And this?
    https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ston...tion-shows-talibans-growing/story?id=12770754

    And this?
    https://www.the-sun.com/news/3467120/taliban-executions-women-afghanistan-stoned/

    I suggest you get informed.
     
  22. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    "They don't care about money or creature comforts... all they care about is getting to PARADISE... PERIOD. And killing non-believers is the key to attaining that."

    Per your statement, killing non-believers to get into heaven has not been their pattern. Don't get me wrong, they do cruel and ugly things, but they are religious fundamentalists tied to a primitive tribal system. They, like our friends the Saudis, deal with religious and secular crimes by lopping off heads, lashing, stoning. They don't seem to be hunting Christians.
    With business investment we'll just see how much "they don't care about money or creature comforts".
     
  23. independentthinker

    independentthinker Banned

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    Work with the Taliban? To support human rights and terrorism? What planet are you on?
     
  24. AARguy

    AARguy Well-Known Member

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    They hunt INFIDELS... that's anyone who is NON-BELIEVER... Christian, Jew, Buddhist, whatever. Its only Democrats that hate Christians, specifically. (Had to add that.)
     
  25. edna kawabata

    edna kawabata Well-Known Member

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    The fact that most Democrats are Christian illustrates the clarity of your thinking.
     

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