Posted on 08/19/2021 9:59:01 AM PDT by elpadre
The first Taliban press conference after last weekend’s Saigon moment geopolitical earthquake, conducted by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, was in itself a game-changer.
The contrast could not be starker with those rambling pressers at the Taliban embassy in Islamabad after 9/11 and before the start of the American bombing – proving this incarnation of the Taliban is an entirely new political animal.
Yet some things never change. English translations remain atrocious. Here is a good summary of the key Taliban statements. These are the key takeaways:
– No problem for women to get an education all the way to college and to continue to work. They just need to wear the hijab, like in Qatar or Iran. No need to wear a burqa. The Taliban insist “all women’s rights will be guaranteed within the limits of Islamic law.”
– The Islamic Emirate “does not threaten anyone” and will not treat anyone as enemies. Crucially, revenge – an essential plank of the Pashtunwali code – will be abandoned, and that’s unprecedented. There will be a general amnesty, including people who worked for the former NATO-aligned system. Translators, for instance, won’t be harassed and don’t need to leave the country.
– The security of foreign embassies and international organizations “is a priority.” Taliban special security forces will protect both those leaving Afghanistan and those who remain. (continues at link)
(Excerpt) Read more at asiatimes.com ...
“....What matters is that Russia and China are way ahead of the curve, cultivating parallel inside tracks of diplomatic dialogue with the Taliban. It’s crucial to remember that Russia harbors 20 million Muslims and China at least 35 million. These will be called to support the immense project of Afghan reconstruction and full Eurasia reintegration.”
I think America has become like the Ottoman Empire or the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Really big. Kind of dangerous. A Great Power which could pose a threat. But sick. Toppling. So, remove the threat. Give it a push or two or three and watch the Great Power shatter into pieces that can never be put back together. Why wouldn’t Russia and China seize the chance?
As Lara Logan noted, if we were serious, we would have been bombing the Taliban supply line from Pakistan for the last 20 years.
The Taliban won. They own a country. They are a ‘legitimate’ political movement.
China will have to explain what’s happening to the Uyghurs first, let alone plans to build a railroad through northern Afghanistan into Iran (the tribes that make up the Taliban and the Iranians are historical enemies).
You win the Internet for the Day!
Of course. And FR Putinistas fully support this.
PING!!!
A lot of ETL’s writings hinted at exactly this happening. So did Jeffery Nyquist.
If true, then there should be no need to take in any refugees. And the way I see it, the Taliban government sure is more legit than ours right now.
Yes, our leadership has been playing cutesy games, pretending that Pakistan is our “ally” all the while knowing that Pakistan helped create and supported the Taliban, and favored them in control of Afghanistan over us.
Well the Taliban are certainly being staged managed. At least the handful you can even find. Where are all the fighters? Not in Kabul it seems.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.