US to begin direct peace talks with Taliban over Afghanistan
 

Finally a real road map for our exit from Afghanistan. Not just a troop pull out but a blueprint for peace? Only time and patience would tell.

The talks to be conducted in Doha, Qatar thereby effectively sidestepping "Mayor" Karzai.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013...an-afghanistan

Well hopefully they can get it done in time for "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women" this November 25 :rolleyes::mad:

You mean they are actually going to observe that day here?:rolleyes:

Cat got your tongue?:p

Fantasyland. The Taliban wants the US out of Afghanistan as much as we want out of Afghanistan. I suspect the pragmatists will rule the day in this process. After the US leaves, it won't take long for the Taliban to reutrn to business as usual.

At least we'll be out of there. It's a fool's errand to try to create a Jeffersonian democracy in that hellhole. Besides, I think we'd be a lot more capable, not to mention willing, to drone their asses if they misbehaved too badly.

When you are wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,

And the women come out to cut up what remains,

Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains

And go to your Gawd like a soldier.

Rudyard Kipling


Afghanistan has been the grave yard of many foreigners.
There are some areas on God's earth which is best left to its ways and customs.

Now I see we are inching to get in the sectarian slaughterhouse in Syria.

We have spent billions of dollars in Iraq and the last I heard the Sunnis and Shias are
playing detonation derby.

Keep in mind I'm generally fairly supportive of a Presidents' foreign policy. It should be off limits to politicking (not that either side really subscribes to that).

Just the same, I think cutting the budding government there off at the knees is awful and bedding down with those animals, disgusting.

Obama talks about withdrawal and is silly enough to announce a date, which he'll claim to have met (bet?) while leaving whatever 'support' troops tickles his fancy.

He's been weak in the ME overall and perhaps has damaged us there in a serious way.

We didn't hesitate to get seriously involved in Libya.

Pete

"cutting the budding"
The Taliban has infiltrated so many institutions and has shown that its violence has no limits that it makes no sense to prolong our stay there.

"weak in ME"
He has not been weak in the ME. John McCaine and the Israeli lobby has been trying to get us embroiled in the ME. He has tried to resist. Good God we are over extended.

I just fininshed reading Kim by Kipling....he is very modern sounding even after a century and you can tell how much he respects the people of South Asia (in that novel)

I hear that a young engineer has started a booming new business in Afghanistan making land mines that look like prayer rugs.

They say the prophets are going through the roof.

Another awful man made contraption: Long after conflict is over, it keeps on killing.....farmers can't farm, kid can't play. :eek:

Ah yes, drawing lines in the sand and backing down repeatedly shows great strength....

BAM!!!

Pete

Great strength would be to invade Syria.

I would say he blundered when he drew a line. But to act forcibly on a line of folly is not a sign of weakness or strength; it is a sign of stupidity.

Funny how only Russia (and Syria) find it questionable.

Not that it matters, Obama said it was a red line and his admin concluded they were used. I didn't think invasion was on the menu anyway.

Pete

Also the UN.

Did Syria sign the Geneva Convention Accords? I know Russia did, so...?

Nice to know you can find the time to read a novel.

I read Kim many decades ago and saw the film ...I think Errol Flynn was the star.

I should get myself a copy. My fav yarn which I have read many times is TREASURE ISLAND. I love also IVANHOE.

Today I picked up a copy of GREAT EXPECTATION for one dollar. :D

I will attempt to read this one to my grand daughter.

I'm currently reading "Brave New World". It's bizarre, but interesting.

Dave

You don't need to read it, we're living in it.:)

I am still working on Paul Tillich's "Love, Power and Justice" pretty heavy reading but very thought provoking.

"There are 15 members of the Security Council. This includes five veto-wielding permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...curity_Council

Pete