A Saigon moment looms in Kabul -- August 12, 2021 will go down as the day the Taliban avenged America's invasion and struck the blow that brought down its man in Kabul

asiatimes.com ^ | August 13, 2021 | Pepe Escobar

[elpadre]

August 12, 2021. History will register it as the day the Taliban, nearly 20 years after 9/11 and the subsequent toppling of their 1996-2001 reign by American bombing, struck the decisive blow against the central government in Kabul.

In a coordinated blitzkrieg, the Taliban all but captured three crucial hubs: Ghazni and Kandahar in the center, and Herat in the west. They had already captured most of the north. As it stands, the Taliban control 14 (italics mine) provincial capitals and counting.

First thing in the morning, they took Ghazni, which is situated around 140 kilometers from Kabul. The repaved highway is in good condition. Not only are the Taliban moving closer and closer to Kabul: for all practical purposes they now control the nation’s top artery, Highway 1 from Kabul to Kandahar via Ghazni.

That in itself is a strategic game-changer. It will allow the Taliban to encircle and besiege Kabul simultaneously from north and south, in a pincer movement.

Kandahar fell by nightfall after the Taliban managed to breach the security belt around the city, attacking from several directions.

In Ghazni, provincial governor Daoud Laghmani cut a deal, fled and then was arrested. In Kandahar, provincial governor Rohullah Khanzada – who belongs to the powerful Popolzai tribe – left with only a few bodyguards.

He opted to engage in an elaborate deal, convincing the Taliban to allow the remaining military to retreat to Kandahar airport and be evacuated by helicopter. All their equipment, heavy weapons and ammunition should be transferred to the Taliban. (continued at link)

[TwelveOfTwenty]

Worst president ever?

[CivilWarBrewing]

And we’re SUPPOSED to believe the Taliban overrun in Afghanistan was a “miscalculation” by Biden, the same man who belonged to a team of deep staters such as John Brennan WHO WILLFULLY AND PURPOSELY SENT 20 U.S. NAVY SEALS TO THEIR DEATHS?