"Taliban Gets $239 Mil in U.S. Afghan Aid" Topic

The Country that just keeps on giving and giving and giving.

What's 239 million between friends, right? 😉

Subject: Taliban Gets $239 USD Mil in U.S. Afghanistan Aid after State Dept. Fails to Vet Awardees | Judicial Watch


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Your tax money at work.

I really dislike this type of journalism that is either lazy or deliberately distorting the information. Luckily there is actually a link to the report in the article.

What the headline says: "Taliban gets $239 USDM is US aid.."

What the report says: "Collectively, State could not demonstrate their compliance with its partners vetting program on awards that disbursed at least $293 USDM in Afghanistan".

Put aside the fact that the $ amounts are different. It does not say vetting was not done, it says it could not be demonstrated and actually discusses some of the reasons why. It also does not say that in any cases were vetting was not carried out that the organization wasn't well known to the US. It also does not say that none, some or all of the funds went to the Taliban. It is quite possible that a very high percentage of the funds went to intended recipients for use in forwarding US policy in the region.

As I previously stated, I really dislike articles that are purely designed to elicit an emotional response by distorting the facts.

Now you can argue if any funds should go to Afghanistan to forward US policy in the region. But that is another discussion.

MartynK---pretty much a distinction without a difference. Headlines are written to get people to read the article. The main point is we're doing a poor job of fiving away US taxpayer money. What other stupidity is there in this program?

If only the US government in 1941 gave aid to Japan, or Germany, how history might have been changed.

Think of how much shorter the Cold War might have been without all those grain exports to the USSR.

I have to disagree, I think it is a distinction with very much a difference. Consider two headlines for the same article. The first the one given:

"The Taliban gets $239 USD Million In US aid".

The second one:

"$293 Million in US aid to Afghanistan given to organizations in support of US policy. Documentation of proper vetting not able to be supplied, but no evidence any of the funds went to the Taliban".

The first article is contains factual errors, or falsehoods. Or as we used to be able to call it, is an outright lie.
The second headline is correct in all points. Admittedly it does downplay the problematic situation of not having evidence of proper vetting.

I know that it is not in vogue, but I am still of the belief that facts are facts and are not subject of debate. I also believe that truth and lies are different and not just a minor distinction.

USAID, the "famously corrupt" office at State, is not exactly corrupt. But it is bound up by conflicting laws and regulations creating too many loopholes. Er..like literally every government agency. To cut through this, it was directed to form an anti corruption team of investigators with support from Justice. I think this got rolling at the end of 2023. We will see. I would not expect them to solve this for real.

It has been documented that since 2018, Qatar gave Hamas a billion a year with the approval of Netanyahu. The cash suitcases even passed through Israel with his help, apparently. According to a former IDM official, Netanyahu felt about Hamas that "if you fed them with money, they would be tame". The military was not in favor of this. The US did not object, deferring to Netanyahu.

USAID, the "famously corrupt" office at State, is not exactly corrupt. But it is bound up by conflicting laws and regulations creating too many loopholes. Er..like literally every government agency. To cut through this, it was directed to form an anti corruption team of investigators with support from Justice. I think this got rolling at the end of 2023. We will see. I would not expect them to solve this for real.

It has been documented that since 2018, Qatar has given Hamas a billion a year with the approval of Netanyahu. The cash suitcases even pass through Israel with his help, apparently. According to a former IDM official, Netanyahu felt about Hamas that "if you fed them with money, they would be tame". The military was not in favor of this. The US did not object, deferring to Netanyahu.

Some who really are in charge has to stop this foolishness. A'stan, should get little to no aid from the US. As much of it goes to the Taliban. As it did in Somali and now in Gaza. The people who need it don't get it.

I'd think with all the equipment and weapons the US left behind. That should be considered the only aid they should get.

After I ETS'd from the US Army, 3 times USAID tried to "recruit" me. Pretty damn good pay. But I was not too happy about being sent to some 3d World 💩 hole. Unarmed, with little support. But I would have a phone for Satcom !

If only the US government in 1941 gave aid to Japan, or Germany, how history might have been changed.

After WWII the US rebuilt much of Western Europe[the Marshal Plan] & Japan[the "MacArthur" plan]. To make them economically viable and good trading partners, etc.. Which in turn would stem the Commies from turning some of Europe into a puppet of Stalin.

IIRC, Stalin wanted to invade some of the Northen islands of Japan. But they were not successful. Taking heavy losses. Turning those into a "workers' paradise" as he did in locations in Eastern Europe. There may have been a North Japan and South Japan. As it happened in Korea with the Russia drive thru China. Destroying the IJFs handily that were there.

Korea is still divided to this day. With only a truce in place. The US/ROK[and the UN?] are still in a state of war, with the Communist dictatorship in the North.

Legion you been following the last few days in Somalia? Islamic radicals killing others.

Yep … Saw that, I think they are Al Sabab, a franchise of Al Quada. We still have US Force in Africa. To keep an eye on radical islamic terrorists there. Drone or call in an airstrike on some of them. But like cockroaches you just have to keep killing them … then repeat …

Yes, Somali is a failed state. Like many in that region … No matter how much aid and assistance from the West they get. And have been for many decades.

I would not object to those funds being used to get the good folks we abandon there out of that hellhole!

We should never give one cent to people who openly hate us.

You know, like another group that danced in the streets for 9/11.

Sadly the Cluster of that withdrawal, which no military officer/NCO would have planned, unless suffering from a mental disorder. In the rush many were loaded on the C-17s, etc. that had 0 to do with supporting the US during the war. When they got here the US taxpayer ended up footing the bill … again …

AFAIK, many former US Spec Operators are still trying to get some of those out of that 💩 hole. That were left behind. However, many that supported us, IIRC have been killed by the fanatical islamists in charge of that fundamentalist islamic "paradise" …

FWIW, when Putin saw how poorly that withdrawal was planned, etc. It convinced him to mass his forces on the Ukrainian border. He had no fear of how the current US leadership would respond …

Regardless as usual, the US troops on the ground did their duty. Some died or were seriously wounded because of the strict ROE, etc. And very poor planning by the US civilian elected and appointed leadership … A lot of blood on their hands.

I really dislike this type is non-useful information. How do I use this stream of information in my miniatures games?

Bobgnar,

🤔 maybe this will help you use it in a game.

So let us say you playing British vs Boers.

Each turn the Boers roll 3 6 sided dice. If they roll 3 5's they get so many pounds carelessly or corruptly handled by the British Government. They determine how many weapons that buys them. If they roll 3 6's and the roll again on a 20 sided die and get either a 19 or 20. The British Army retreats from an occupied area and leave all weapons of those units behind for the Boers.

This can be adapted for any conflict.

I'm sure there are other ideas on how to use this information. Have fun. 🙂

35th OVI +1 …

Well generally military history or current/modern conflicts can be useful for gaming of many eras. As 35th pointed out.

And of course, no one is forced to go to/read a thread/topic. There are many boards here. So many most I never go to. If one board does not give you what you are looking for. There are other options. E.g. Ultramodern Gaming (2014-present).

Turn it into a sci-fi campaign setting.

👍👍 Sci-fi is my choice !

Subject: Collin Rugg on X: "NEW: The Taliban held a military parade at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan with the US military equipment they stole after the disastrous Biden-Harris withdrawal. The Taliban was celebrating the third anniversary of taking over the former US air base as they trolled the US with t.co/UUuANxX4UO / X


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Yes, I heard they celebrated their 3 year anniversary with no Western Infidels in country. But don't get me started on that debacle …

Take the Money and Go

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Armand

A'stan reminds me of some places in Africa and the Mid East. No matter how much $, aid, roads and railways are built, plus ports and airports, etc. No matter how many NGOs, missionaries, the UN, the West, etc. sends to those places … Very little seems to change, it appears …

Legion: The Haiti of that area of the world? 😉

America Surrendered in Afghanistan

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Armand

Legion: The Haiti of that area of the world?

Yep, both failed countries depending on a lot of outside support for so many things.

The big difference is, A'stan's population's strong religious beliefs, traditions, etc. leaves most of that failed nation about 200 years or more behind much of the rest of the world.

"You can't free a fish from water."

America Surrendered in Afghanistan

Don't get me started … If the US top leaders had a choice, they always "choose poorly" … 'nuff said …