"Taliban can’t pay its electric bill" Topic

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See, moving out and going on your own isn't so easy when you have to pay the bills, is it?

One part cracked me up. Currently more power is available for consumers, because factories have shut down, and the Taliban isn't sabotaging the lines any more.

Power is almost exclusively supplied by neighbors, and some, like Tajikistan, aren't exactly friendly neighbors willing to give a break.

Maybe they can apply for a government Grant. Or maybe issue a fatwa. Apparently anyone can issue fatwas. No Pope in Islam.
Or pay the monthly charge, plus $35 USD until the part in arrears is caught up.

Back to the darkness…

The problem with Taliban v1.0 was they couldn't actually run a country. Very good a brutalising people over their dress code, and apparently quite good at raising money, but then I suspect a lot of tax systems around the globe would benefit from a pay up or face corporal punishment approach! However, useless at doing anything with it.

The latest iteration may be presenting themselves as Taliban v2.0, but clearly more v1.2.

Wont be long before foreign aid starts up

John, hard to read the whole article because it is asking to either sign in or subscribe.

Classic question -- Once you win the revolution, then what?

Electricity bills might be the tip of the iceberg…..

This article isn't behind a paywall…challenges ahead for the Taliban:

link

Classic question -- Once you win the revolution, then what?

Not sure any government topplers in history have ever had a post toppling plan. So the usual course is factionalization, infighting, emergence of a strong man, elimination of opposition of all forms, and then ethnic cleansing and the slaughter of the educated and those in a-traditonal life styles. And finally war to boost the economy.

I don't think economic management was ever going to a strong point!

Though I suspect if Americans and its international institutions such as IMF turned off cash flow, the previous government would be in the same boat.

Virtualscratchbuilder--one exception is USA. Some growing pains to be sure, but we managed to avoid most of the pitfalls you described.

lot of cheap weapon to sell to cover there bills.

@disco Joe
I linked to it from Drudge. You can easily read it without subscribing that way.

They are murdering terrorists jihadis stuck in the 15th Century. They know nothing about actually running city or a country, etc. Anything having to do with modernity beside weapons they are clueless. The may implode with any luck. Didn't ISIS blow up some innocent civilians a few days ago…

I suspect if Americans and its international institutions such as IMF turned off cash flow, the previous government would be in the same boat.

I Certainly hope so … and hopefully it is just the start. Without firing a shot.

Pzivh43, we did not topple a government. We got out from under it, but we did not destroy the fundamental fabric of the society. England went on fine without us, and we kept the basic tenets of what was there and refined it to a better system. That is a whole lot different than when the governments were toppled in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Russia, Bourbon France, etc.

I Certainly hope so … and hopefully it is just the start. Without firing a shot.

So you seriously hoped the previous Afghan government was also incapable of managing its economy without US/international aid?

Is this to justify staying in Afghanistan forever?!?

Didn't say that … but you some how again managed to twist what I did say. However, I want nothing but bad, the worst, etc., to occur, with the Taliban, AQ, ISIS, etc., and any jihadi living in the 15th Century.

Unfortunately the Taliban and their ilk will not suffer, or at the most not much, but the vast majority of everyday folks just trying to survive in Afghanistan will.

As usual in every war.

Ah, such a pity.

Seems as if they aren't fit to be in "control" if they can't do a basic thing like that.

A shame for the residents of Afghanistan, but perhaps they'll rebel and put someone in charge that can get things done.

In the interim, they shouldn't get a penny of aid, for any reason.

Ironically, they have to speak with a rep from a call center in the US to make arrangements to pay their bill.

"The Taliban Strike Back" From Military.com – link

As usual in every war.

Very much so … e.g. we saw the the same in Somalia. And the list is long. When dealing with Sami Warlords/criminals, the Taliban, etc. The only way they would suffer if they did from a drone strike, etc. I.e. To their locals … they are better of dead … ☠

Ironically, they have to speak with a rep from a call center in the US to make arrangements to pay their bill.

That is so crazy … but it appears it must be true. And again if there is no electricity the people with suffer … not the Tali leadership. Who a number have a price on the heads.

I don't know if it is true or not. A play on US customers having to call India to get anything done in the US.

Now … that is true ! 😆 But yes, the Talis calling the USA to pay a bill … now that is hyperbole !
🤣

But a few months back I had to call eBay. I was surprised to find out I was talking to Dublin, Ireland. Wonderful accents ! ☘ And very helpful …

Not that those in India, etc. were not, that was not my experience … either. Generally very helpful also …

Sounds like a growth opportunity for a Skip Tracer

One time I had to call a call center on some dispute.
A man with a very thick Indian accent said, "Hello! My name is Skippy!"
When Skippy couldn't help, he transferred me to Barbie.
I hope the Taliban gets the same call center. Maybe they'll end up talking with Archie, or Scoobie.

We can only hope … And yes many times they had changed their names to be more Western. At least on the phone with us. I did talk to an Indian or Pak gal who went by the name of "Madonna". Must have watched too many old MTV videos. Regardless she was helpful. 👍👍

They have lots of military equipment on hand, still tin good working condition which they could sell to raise cash.

It is strange to mention Russia in this series. After the Bolshevik revolution, the first thing the Bolsheviks began to do was build power plants and create a system of universal education, and this even during Civil War.
20 years after the end of the Civil War, the USSR had a strong economy that was able to withstand the tension of the Second World War – to build tens of thousands of tanks, aircraft, artillery pieces and a huge amount of weapons. And after a short time – the complete restoration of the country after the war, the creation of nuclear weapons and the conquest of space.
I don't think the Taliban are capable of at least 5% of this.

I don't think the Taliban are capable of at least 5% of this.

You are being generous. They are troglodytes with modern weapons. They have no place in the 21st Century … unless in mass graves.

I once read of a gentleman traveling to the Middle East in the 1960's via commercial airlines. Upon landing the stewardess on the PA system talked about the current weather conditions and stated that those wishing to set their watches to local time should… turn them back 300 years.

LOL !!!!😆🤣 I hope that was true !!! And it still applies today !

They have lots of military equipment on hand, still tin good working condition which they could sell to raise cash.

YEAH, a garage sale!!!
Buy one Blackhawk and get the second one 1/2 price.
Maybe next they could try a bake sale!!!!

The Talis are already selling extra weapons as they have more than they need. To anyone who has the money to buy them. It's terrorist everything extra must go sale.

Don't be too surprised if some of those end up on US streets. Just what drug dealers, gangbangers, racially based gangs, criminals of all types, some fresh from crossing the US Southern border, etc., need – Russian PKM LMGs, AKs, even M16s, etc. …

"Crazy Omar !!! Everything must go !!!" …

Schogun sagely enquired -

Classic question -- Once you win the revolution, then what?

There's an archive of IF Magazine on the web; also, libraries might have the "Best Of IF" collection. "The Right To Revolt" and "The Right To Resist" by Keith Laumer from that source are two linked stories, the first where the lead character is part of a revolution on a human settled planet to relieve the harsh economic dictatorship . . . That has to face reality after they win their revolt. The second has a scientific discovery made that will solve most of their major problems . . . Assuming a second revolt doesn't destroy the government before it can be utilised.

The Talis only know how to kill, rape, torture, destroy, etc. They have no idea how to run a country, even a failed/failing one. The leaders in their "gov't(?)", contain many terrorists with prices on their heads. And AFAIK they still do. How can you try to make "deals" with terrorists/murderers, who are so wedded to Sharia law, etc., plus guilty of crimes against humanity, etc. ? Short answer you don't.

Most outside aid will not go to "the people" but to the Talis, and those that believe in Sharia law, etc.