Taliban Thread 1/
Now as Taliban are taking over Afghanistan (again) we need to look at Taliban. Some are saying the Taliban kicked out the Soviet Union from Afghanistan (totally untrue). So let's do this properly. Who are the Taliban vs Mujahideen vs Pashtu vs Afghan.. yeah :-)
Now as Taliban are taking over Afghanistan (again) we need to look at Taliban. Some are saying the Taliban kicked out the Soviet Union from Afghanistan (totally untrue). So let's do this properly. Who are the Taliban vs Mujahideen vs Pashtu vs Afghan.. yeah :-)
Taliban Thread 2/
Today on Twitter we see noise from people new to Twitter trying to argue their viewpoints. I've FREQUENTLY discussed problems of Afghanistan like this in ... YEAR 2011 ten YEARS ago
Today on Twitter we see noise from people new to Twitter trying to argue their viewpoints. I've FREQUENTLY discussed problems of Afghanistan like this in ... YEAR 2011 ten YEARS ago
https://twitter.com/tomiahonen/status/58744902762242048
Taliban Thread 3/
I have visited 117 countries in my life so far. I have not yet been to Afghanistan. But I've been to its neighbor, Pakistan & Pashtu region, which borders Afghanistan. I've met many Afghans. I received this Pashtu traditional kurta as a gift (photo in Malaysia)
I have visited 117 countries in my life so far. I have not yet been to Afghanistan. But I've been to its neighbor, Pakistan & Pashtu region, which borders Afghanistan. I've met many Afghans. I received this Pashtu traditional kurta as a gift (photo in Malaysia)
Taliban Thread 4/
There are Maganutters, War-mongering Repulsicans and Saudi bots on the rampage now, attempting to extinguish the Saudi connection to the Taliban. So this Thread is necessary. We need to understand. But we go to the beginning. That is the only way to understand
There are Maganutters, War-mongering Repulsicans and Saudi bots on the rampage now, attempting to extinguish the Saudi connection to the Taliban. So this Thread is necessary. We need to understand. But we go to the beginning. That is the only way to understand
Taliban Thread 5/
The most valuable road for human economic history, for over 3,000 years was the Silk Road, or more accurately Jade Road. It connected the largest landmass, Eurasia, where most of the planet's population live, allowed Europe to trade with China, & all in middle
The most valuable road for human economic history, for over 3,000 years was the Silk Road, or more accurately Jade Road. It connected the largest landmass, Eurasia, where most of the planet's population live, allowed Europe to trade with China, & all in middle
Taliban Thread 6/
Silk Road is not one road, it is a series of roads. One side-road leads to India. That road goes through the mountains, through the ONLY pass, called Khyber Pass. This was the most valuable choke point until the modern shipping. Was the 'Suez Canal' of its age
Silk Road is not one road, it is a series of roads. One side-road leads to India. That road goes through the mountains, through the ONLY pass, called Khyber Pass. This was the most valuable choke point until the modern shipping. Was the 'Suez Canal' of its age
Taliban Thread 7/
As Khyber Pass was the only mountain pass to India, you can imagine it was a rich opportunity for bandits. Those enterprising land pirates became known as the Pashtu. Draw a circle 100 miles around this pass, you have region the size of the state of Virginia
As Khyber Pass was the only mountain pass to India, you can imagine it was a rich opportunity for bandits. Those enterprising land pirates became known as the Pashtu. Draw a circle 100 miles around this pass, you have region the size of the state of Virginia
Taliban Thread 8/
So for CENTURIES, the Pashtu people were known to collect their fees from travellers on the Silk Road. And nobody was able to take this region from them. Literally, none of the great empires ever succeeded from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan.
So for CENTURIES, the Pashtu people were known to collect their fees from travellers on the Silk Road. And nobody was able to take this region from them. Literally, none of the great empires ever succeeded from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan.
Taliban Thread 9/
That gives a firm foundation to build a warrior nation. The Pashtu. They are Muslim, but not like neighboring Iran, who are Shia, the Pashtu are Sunni Muslim, so they align with Saudi Arabia and against Iran. Bear this in mind, with the propaganda parrots
That gives a firm foundation to build a warrior nation. The Pashtu. They are Muslim, but not like neighboring Iran, who are Shia, the Pashtu are Sunni Muslim, so they align with Saudi Arabia and against Iran. Bear this in mind, with the propaganda parrots
Taliban Thread 10/
In the last 200 years, the main Empires that faced off, on both sides of the Khyber Pass were the British Empire (in India, South) and the Russian Empire (North). Afghanistan emerged as the buffer nation between these two. It is 5 miles West of the Khyber pass
In the last 200 years, the main Empires that faced off, on both sides of the Khyber Pass were the British Empire (in India, South) and the Russian Empire (North). Afghanistan emerged as the buffer nation between these two. It is 5 miles West of the Khyber pass
Taliban Thread 11/
Afghanistan is far larger than the Pashtu region, about the same size as Texas in area. But HALF of Aghan population are Pashtu. There is no other dominant ethnic group, so Pashtu people get to rule Afghanistan. Afghanistan population is about 32 million
Afghanistan is far larger than the Pashtu region, about the same size as Texas in area. But HALF of Aghan population are Pashtu. There is no other dominant ethnic group, so Pashtu people get to rule Afghanistan. Afghanistan population is about 32 million
Taliban Thread 12/
From the early 1800s, the rulers of Afghanistan have played The Great Game, pitting Russian & British rulers against each other & temporarily siding with whoever was the weaker
Pashtu are EXPERTS at pretending to be on your side, while being on their OWN side
From the early 1800s, the rulers of Afghanistan have played The Great Game, pitting Russian & British rulers against each other & temporarily siding with whoever was the weaker
Pashtu are EXPERTS at pretending to be on your side, while being on their OWN side
Taliban Thread 13/
Every time the British got fed up, and tried to take over Afghanistan, they lost. Last time in 1921. Same for Russians. They too lost. Last time in 1989 (as Soviet Union). NO EMPIRE has EVER held this region. So that is the Pashtu who form half of Afghanistan
Every time the British got fed up, and tried to take over Afghanistan, they lost. Last time in 1921. Same for Russians. They too lost. Last time in 1989 (as Soviet Union). NO EMPIRE has EVER held this region. So that is the Pashtu who form half of Afghanistan
Taliban Thread 14/
WHO ARE THE MUJAHIDEEN
Now towards the Taliban. A Marxist (Communist) ruler came to power in Afghanistan in 1973. He aligned Afghanistan with the Soviet Union. Many Pashtu felt, oh-oh, now we are losing to Russia & started guerilla war against the Afghan Govt
WHO ARE THE MUJAHIDEEN
Now towards the Taliban. A Marxist (Communist) ruler came to power in Afghanistan in 1973. He aligned Afghanistan with the Soviet Union. Many Pashtu felt, oh-oh, now we are losing to Russia & started guerilla war against the Afghan Govt
Taliban Thread 15/
The Mujahideen (Mujahidin) were Muslim religious warriors against their OWN Marxist-Communist government then in power, in Afghanistan. They were supported by.. Saudi Arabia of course, as well as from their Pashtu relatives in Pakistan, across the border
The Mujahideen (Mujahidin) were Muslim religious warriors against their OWN Marxist-Communist government then in power, in Afghanistan. They were supported by.. Saudi Arabia of course, as well as from their Pashtu relatives in Pakistan, across the border
Taliban Thread 16/
When the Soviets invaded in 1979, the Mujahideen guerilla warrior army was already in existence and fighting, who turned from fighting a corrupt government in Kabul, to the invader Soviet Army. Mujahideen at this point supported by Saudi & Pakistan
When the Soviets invaded in 1979, the Mujahideen guerilla warrior army was already in existence and fighting, who turned from fighting a corrupt government in Kabul, to the invader Soviet Army. Mujahideen at this point supported by Saudi & Pakistan
Taliban Thread 17/
At Soviet invasion, the BRITISH felt a need to stand up against Russia (Soviets) from historical context & supported the Mujahideen fighters, giving them weapons. USA, after Vietnam loss, was doing very little but some token support. The main funding was Saudi
At Soviet invasion, the BRITISH felt a need to stand up against Russia (Soviets) from historical context & supported the Mujahideen fighters, giving them weapons. USA, after Vietnam loss, was doing very little but some token support. The main funding was Saudi
Taliban Thread 18/
Because of the Pashtu mountain region of centuries of crime, the NATURAL method for Mujahideen warriors was to go to Afghanistan to fight, & retreat to Pakistan side to rest, rearm & recuperate. The Soviets were not going to invade into Pakistan to chase them
Because of the Pashtu mountain region of centuries of crime, the NATURAL method for Mujahideen warriors was to go to Afghanistan to fight, & retreat to Pakistan side to rest, rearm & recuperate. The Soviets were not going to invade into Pakistan to chase them
Taliban Thread 19/
This led to refugee camps on Pakistan side. And to TRAINING camps. Trained by who? The Saudis and Pakistanis. And to educate the Mujahideen. Education by who? The Saudis set up extremist religious schools 'Madrasa' to teach fundamentalist Sharia law
This led to refugee camps on Pakistan side. And to TRAINING camps. Trained by who? The Saudis and Pakistanis. And to educate the Mujahideen. Education by who? The Saudis set up extremist religious schools 'Madrasa' to teach fundamentalist Sharia law
Taliban Thread 20/
The Mujahideen were able to recruit Muslim soldiers to come fight to liberate the Muslim nation of Afghanistan from the Marxist (Communist) and atheist Soviet invaders. One of many foreign volunteers was US military-trained Saudi Arabian named Osama Bin Laden.
The Mujahideen were able to recruit Muslim soldiers to come fight to liberate the Muslim nation of Afghanistan from the Marxist (Communist) and atheist Soviet invaders. One of many foreign volunteers was US military-trained Saudi Arabian named Osama Bin Laden.
Taliban Thread 21/
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan lasted 10 years. They never got full control. The Saudis & Pakistanis supported the Mujahideen from the start. British & UAE helped early. Americans help came later, but provided Stinger missiles to shoot down the helicopters
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan lasted 10 years. They never got full control. The Saudis & Pakistanis supported the Mujahideen from the start. British & UAE helped early. Americans help came later, but provided Stinger missiles to shoot down the helicopters
Taliban Thread 21/
The Mujahideen are some of the bravest, toughest warriors the planet has ever seen, and in 10 years, they kicked out the most powerful army the planet had ever seen. Outnumbered and outgunned to ridiculous levels. They won clean and clear. Soviets lost totally
The Mujahideen are some of the bravest, toughest warriors the planet has ever seen, and in 10 years, they kicked out the most powerful army the planet had ever seen. Outnumbered and outgunned to ridiculous levels. They won clean and clear. Soviets lost totally
Taliban Thread 22/
THE TALIBAN
The Taliban had NOTHING to do with any earlier fights Afghanistan had with invaders, and nothing to do with Russia or Soviet Union invasion either. The Taliban did not EXIST. They were born AFTER the Soviets had left.
THE TALIBAN
The Taliban had NOTHING to do with any earlier fights Afghanistan had with invaders, and nothing to do with Russia or Soviet Union invasion either. The Taliban did not EXIST. They were born AFTER the Soviets had left.
Taliban Thread 23/
You remember, BEFORE the Soviet invasion, in 1979, Afghanistan was in a Civil War. So that was just paused for 10 years, to kick out the Russkies, and then the Civil War resumed
THAT is where suddenly the Taliban is formed. To turn Afghanistan into Sharia Law
You remember, BEFORE the Soviet invasion, in 1979, Afghanistan was in a Civil War. So that was just paused for 10 years, to kick out the Russkies, and then the Civil War resumed
THAT is where suddenly the Taliban is formed. To turn Afghanistan into Sharia Law
Taliban Thread 24/
The Taliban means literally 'educated' and refers to fanatical students from Saudi taught Madrasa schools. The most fundamentalist of students, who think SAUDI ARABIA is not fundamentalist enough !!! (Saudi is FAR worse than Iran, and some think Iran is bad)
The Taliban means literally 'educated' and refers to fanatical students from Saudi taught Madrasa schools. The most fundamentalist of students, who think SAUDI ARABIA is not fundamentalist enough !!! (Saudi is FAR worse than Iran, and some think Iran is bad)
Taliban Thread 25/
The Soviet invasion ended 1989. The Afghanistan Civil War resumed immediately
The Taliban... was not founded until 1994 by two fanatical clerics, Mullah Omar & Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. They took control of Aghanistan in 1996 (winning the Civil War)
The Soviet invasion ended 1989. The Afghanistan Civil War resumed immediately
The Taliban... was not founded until 1994 by two fanatical clerics, Mullah Omar & Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. They took control of Aghanistan in 1996 (winning the Civil War)
Taliban Thread 26/
The rogue criminal terrorist led nation of Afghanistan under Mullah Omar was in existence until the US invasion in 2001. During those 5 years only THREE countries recognized the monster nation: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan & UAE. Don't tell me Saudis aren't involved
The rogue criminal terrorist led nation of Afghanistan under Mullah Omar was in existence until the US invasion in 2001. During those 5 years only THREE countries recognized the monster nation: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan & UAE. Don't tell me Saudis aren't involved
Taliban Thread 27/
During the Taliban controlled Afghanistan they turned it into a brutal Sharia Law nation. Then when US and NATO forces invaded in 2001, Taliban retreated into caves to fight this latest invasion. We knew that nobody can take the area. That was a doomed mission
During the Taliban controlled Afghanistan they turned it into a brutal Sharia Law nation. Then when US and NATO forces invaded in 2001, Taliban retreated into caves to fight this latest invasion. We knew that nobody can take the area. That was a doomed mission
Taliban Thread 28/
Who supported Taliban from 2001 to 2021? Saudi Arabia of course. It was regularly reported. Even the State Department KNEW this but kept it a secret, as leaked State Dept documents revealed in 2009. Iran sees the Taliban as enemy, so of course Saudi fund them
Who supported Taliban from 2001 to 2021? Saudi Arabia of course. It was regularly reported. Even the State Department KNEW this but kept it a secret, as leaked State Dept documents revealed in 2009. Iran sees the Taliban as enemy, so of course Saudi fund them
Taliban Thread 29/
It gets FAR WORSE with Trump & his corruption with Saudi Arabia. Trump among other things wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David on Sept 11, 2019. Trump LIFTED SANCTIONS against the Taliban. And Trump released 5,000 Taliban WARRIORS FROM PRISON in Aug 2020
It gets FAR WORSE with Trump & his corruption with Saudi Arabia. Trump among other things wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David on Sept 11, 2019. Trump LIFTED SANCTIONS against the Taliban. And Trump released 5,000 Taliban WARRIORS FROM PRISON in Aug 2020
Taliban Thread 30/
What of Taliban leaders? in 2010 (during Obama) the number 2 guy of Taliban, Mullah Agdar Ghani Baradar was captured and taken into prison in Afghanistan
Then in 2013 the number 1 guy Mullah Omar died of natural causes (Taliban kept this a secret till 2015)
What of Taliban leaders? in 2010 (during Obama) the number 2 guy of Taliban, Mullah Agdar Ghani Baradar was captured and taken into prison in Afghanistan
Then in 2013 the number 1 guy Mullah Omar died of natural causes (Taliban kept this a secret till 2015)
Taliban Thread 31/
Then in the ultimate fuck-you to the world, Trump released the co-founder of Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in 2018 - in deal negotiated by Mike Pompeo, a war criminal.
This monster will now run the Taliban controlled Afghanistan
Have a nice day
Then in the ultimate fuck-you to the world, Trump released the co-founder of Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in 2018 - in deal negotiated by Mike Pompeo, a war criminal.
This monster will now run the Taliban controlled Afghanistan
Have a nice day
PS
I have written a related Thread to this, which explores the US involvement in Afghanistan. How that came about and how and who tried to get USA out of Afghanistan. You may find this also useful:
I have written a related Thread to this, which explores the US involvement in Afghanistan. How that came about and how and who tried to get USA out of Afghanistan. You may find this also useful:
https://twitter.com/tomiahonen/status/1427026128229871628
PS PS
I have now completed the final, third part to my Trilogy on Afghanistan. The part about 'what happens next'. You may want to read this too:
I have now completed the final, third part to my Trilogy on Afghanistan. The part about 'what happens next'. You may want to read this too:
https://twitter.com/tomiahonen/status/1427651369763233792
PS PS PS
To all in this Thread: THANK YOU
This Thread has become the most read of any Thread that I have written, reaching 1.5 MILLION readers inside the first 24 hours from release. It is 15x more than my TOTAL REACH on Twitter
It was only thanks to you. I truly am grateful
To all in this Thread: THANK YOU
This Thread has become the most read of any Thread that I have written, reaching 1.5 MILLION readers inside the first 24 hours from release. It is 15x more than my TOTAL REACH on Twitter
It was only thanks to you. I truly am grateful
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