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OnlinePoker

(5,702 posts)
Wed May 25, 2016, 08:51 AM May 2016

Taliban's new leader described as educated, well-respected

Source: CNN

The Afghan Taliban's new leader is an educated and well-respected member of the organization who could prove easier to negotiate a peace settlement with, a founding member of the group tells CNN.
Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, named the new Afghan Taliban leader following the death of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, is in his late 50s -- although the Taliban claim he is 47 years old -- and comes from Panjwai district of southern Kandahar province, according to Sayed Mohammad Akbar Agha.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/middleeast/new-taliban-leader-announced/index.html



All the BS about the killing of Mansour and how it was a blow to the Taliban just shows how stupid the talking heads are. There is always another fanatic willing to step up.
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leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
4. Settle with those
Wed May 25, 2016, 09:52 AM
May 2016

who throw acid in the faces of girls trying to get an education? I'd rather share a room with a nest of vipers.

 

philosslayer

(3,076 posts)
5. There are three options.
Wed May 25, 2016, 10:21 AM
May 2016

1) keep fighting ( in 14 years so far), 2) leave (Taliban takes over), 3) negotiate

Your preferred option?

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
7. 2 & 3 amount to the same thing
Wed May 25, 2016, 11:23 AM
May 2016

I'm not ready to throw every female in Afghanistan under the bus which is what handing the country over to the taliban would do. I'd go with option 4 - arm ALL the women.

askeptic

(478 posts)
3. What? They picked a new leader already? I thought they were crippled by the attack
Wed May 25, 2016, 09:51 AM
May 2016

at least that's what the MSM was saying a couple days ago.

Look at how the WSJ characterized the outcome of Mansour's killing:

Taliban Reels From Leader’s Death in U.S. Drone Strike
Killing of Mullah Akhtar Mansour likely to set off a succession struggle

"But those seen as the most likely to now take over the Taliban are considered even less inclined than Mullah Mansour to reconcile with a U.S.-backed government they have fought for years, according to the Afghan observers. His killing could precipitate another battle over leadership, one that could cause the Taliban to fragment further."



turbinetree

(24,632 posts)
6. The right wing hero of the ages for the republicans----------and the c***p
Wed May 25, 2016, 11:04 AM
May 2016

that this country has been in, since its seems like for ever------------and it really started with the zealot in chief and his band of lets arm and fight against the Soviet Union at the time--------------------

http://www.democracynow.org/2004/6/10/ghost_wars_how_reagan_armed_the

And now the MSM is giving the public some answer like this is the end, and he's educated and well respected, really, well guess what------------John Eleuthère du Pont--------------was educated and well respected

The MSM are idiots and CNN is saying this "stuff" he maybe educated and well respected---------------but he more than likely killed people---------------- CNN and the other rating corporate hacks must like playing, a game they probably know really well, and shoving this logic onto the public





maxsolomon

(32,983 posts)
8. Hopefully he's smart enough to know why Mullah Mansour was droned
Wed May 25, 2016, 11:27 AM
May 2016

Mansour was favored by the ISI because he was thought to be amenable to the peace process, but then he proved to be intransigent. Someone told the US where he was - he'd outlived his usefulness to Pakistan.

Rafale

(291 posts)
9. Not even one week and
Wed May 25, 2016, 12:27 PM
May 2016

You have a new Taliban leader. What kind of idiot supports a failed strategy for 15 years? #PresidentialCandidates

Yeah, keep drinking that Kool-Aid.

maxsolomon

(32,983 posts)
12. your alternative?
Wed May 25, 2016, 05:35 PM
May 2016

either there's a negotiated settlement, or this goes on until we give up and the Taliban re-capture the country, with horrific immediate and long-term results.

many parties want this over with - afghanis, the US, & pakistan, and are pushing for negotiations. mansoor was unwilling to talk. hopefully the new guy is.

Rafale

(291 posts)
13. Having been there for an extended stay, I would say and having played the game of Whack-a-Mole...
Wed May 25, 2016, 05:53 PM
May 2016

We have not won a war since WW II. It's been clear since at least 2010 that we already lost to the Taliban. We just haven't accepted it yet. Afghanistan has a unique history and it would take to long to explain here.

The Taliban have controlled large parts of the country for many years. For example, we were never in control of Wardak and Logar Provinces but then never were the Soviets. I realize that statement does not match the story told by our corporate media and our current leadership.

You could go for a negotiated settlement and as soon as we leave the Afghans will fight amongst themselves for control or we can stay until we are exhausted (which is now). Either way you have the same outcome so you pick. Good luck with that, friend.

Would also submit to you that the counterterrorism strategy is general is a complete failure. Al-Qa'ida is not weaker than on 9-11; it is stronger, larger, and occupies a larger geo-spatial area, in fact actually owning land in Syria. Part of it morphed into the Islamic State, which is also global. Presidents Bush and Obama's approached utterly failed and turning SEAL Teams into nothing more than SWAT teams and Personal Secure Details for massively corrupt Afghan leaders, who steal our wealth and the wealth of their people. Afghan leaders and their failure is what gives legitimacy to the Taliban more than anything else. It's time to walk away from that shit sandwich and go on a diet.

Generally terrorism doesn't go away through military action. Based on history or prior probability if you will, terrorism can only be undermined by cooptation, addressing the grievances that started their movement in part or toto. That requires a certain degree of maturity that our public and policymakers currently lack.

Do all US Armed Forces a solid this Memorial Day: Do not vote for anyone claiming we need to go to war harder or start a new battlefield. Say no to the warmongers. There are other instruments of state policy besides the military. The military is only capable of effecting a narrow set of situations; it is not a cure all for every international problem.

Thought your question/statement was a solid one, friend.

maxsolomon

(32,983 posts)
14. Food for thought
Wed May 25, 2016, 08:35 PM
May 2016

I hate to abandon the Afghani women (or non-Pashtun ethnicities) to the oppression of the Taliban, but Bush's solution was never my preferred one, either.

I favored a quarantine for Afghanistan, and dropping the Love Bomb elsewhere in the Muslim world; i.e. provide clean water and sewage treatment where we'd be accepted.


WheelWalker

(8,943 posts)
10. Looks to me like perhaps there was a well placed Peace & National Unity faction posturing for a
Wed May 25, 2016, 01:25 PM
May 2016

leadership role and a new direction, who gave up their hard line leader to US intelligence?

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