Posted on 08/15/2021 3:06:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
Afghanistan has been called "the graveyard of empires." While disputes about the validity of the term continue, the fact is that the country has been a battleground for empires.
From ancient times until today, the country has been invaded by what is present-day India, the Greeks, Muslims of the Rashidun caliphate, Mongols led by Genghis Khan, Persians, and Sikhs. More recently, the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and NATO led by the United States have had a go at establishing a presence in the nation.
Why is Afghanistan so important?
According to military tacticians, any entity controlling Afghanistan has a gateway to control Southern Asia, especially India, which can be invaded through the Khyber Pass. Control of the pass is a reason so many empires and nations have battled for control of the country. It is key to empire-building in southeast Asia.
Currently, Afghanistan is at least temporarily under the control of the Taliban. But perhaps even more importantly, China has indicated that it will recognize the Taliban if Kabul falls.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Maybe that was true 100 years ago. In the age of naval power, ICBMs and military hardware in orbit, I'd say that means almost nothing anymore.
As I see it, Afghanistan is a landlocked sh!t-hole that is destined to become little more than a backwater territory for Pakistan, Iran or China -- if any of them even want it.
We spent 20 years and a lot of lives trying to help that country become viable.
The people there did not want that...the only ones who did were the Taliban.
I do not think the Chinese will fare any better.
I DO think the author misses the worst part: Afghanistan will become a terrorist haven. To me, that is the real danger.
Afghanistan is a place where most people don't even know what the word "country" means. Expecting Afghanistan to function like a viable country is like expecting Maxine Waters to do neurosurgery.
Didn’t the Russians have to give up Afghanistan, if I recall correctly? That country is nothing but a (s)hit hole and not worth bothering with. If the Chinese can do better Good luck
But with our airtight Homeland borders and competent FBI we have no reason to fear a repeat of Sept 2001. Oh wait . . .
If it becomes the graveyard of the Democrat Party, I'll take it. That being said, I keep in mind "be careful what you wish for."
Too bad our government feels the greatest terrorist threat is the retired couple with a Gadsden flag bumper sticker.
To them, the terrorist breeding grounds are churches (soon to include synagogues) Boy Scout meetings, Little League games and neighborhood swim meets.
China is going to have a little problem with the muslim Taliban in regard to China’s treatment of the muslim Uyghurs. The taliban is not going into the farming business or manufacturing, they are going to keep fighting, and with some lately procured military hardware, thanks to Joe Biden.
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Yep. The world’s most dangerous terrorists are in solitary confinement, many on misdemeanor charges stemming from attending a Trump rally on January 6. I feel so much safer with Biden in charge. /s
The special forces who chased Bin Ladin out told the higher ups not to send troops or get involved...
Read Horse Soilders
Absolutely right. We’re not marching troops in by foot these days.
And Afghanistan didn’t put us in the grave. Other than the tragic losses of life and injuries, which are beyond cost, we spent less than a trillion dollars there over 20 years.
Democrats do that in an afternoon. They’ll send us to our grave, not the Taliban.
Agree the Great Game has changed since Kiplings time. Technology has reduced the strategic importance of the Khyber Pass to almost zero. However, the importance of family and clan remains paramount to Afghanistan’s people - same as always going back to when Alexander The Great gave it a go.
Yup. China's up next.
What it does do is allow China to surround India it’s biggest threat in the area. The Indians will not look kindly on any move by China into Afghanistan, but I doubt here is much they can do about it.
China can control it because they have both modern weapons and a willingness to kill every man, woman and child.
Don’t this very much. The Taliban used weapons designed in 1947 and has defeated 2 nations. This is not about weapons superiority, it’s about maintaining independence. China will find this out. Unless China is willing to kill every man woman and child, they will fail.
Don’t - Doubt
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