There's lots of first-hand accounts of this from recent days -- intensifying over time. For now, the window's closing/closed for #Afghans, as the U.S. & others prioritize their citizens' evacuation.
This was all inevitable given the tight timeline, and it'll worsen too.
This was all inevitable given the tight timeline, and it'll worsen too.
https://twitter.com/Lkatzenberg/status/1429949396469403648
More than any other aspect of the #Afghanistan withdrawal, this is what should have been 100% avoidable.
And as @RepAdamSchiff has just stated, the IC *did* warn of a swift #Taliban victory -- this was *not* an intelligence failure, it was a political/decision-making one.
And as @RepAdamSchiff has just stated, the IC *did* warn of a swift #Taliban victory -- this was *not* an intelligence failure, it was a political/decision-making one.
@RepAdamSchiff The #Taliban aren't stupid; they know the U.S. (& #NATO allies) are under pressure -- #Taliban fighters have significantly increased their intimidation of Afghans outside #HKIA - countless reports of beating, whipping & even gunfire.
And they're blocking known meeting points.
And they're blocking known meeting points.
@RepAdamSchiff Should #Biden want an extension beyond Aug 31, the #Taliban won't give it for free -- given #Afghanistan's impending economic crisis, the ask will likely be financial.
As Dave Kilcullen told @MEI_CTE today, that's means we're basically in a hostage crisis of unprecedented scale.
As Dave Kilcullen told @MEI_CTE today, that's means we're basically in a hostage crisis of unprecedented scale.
@RepAdamSchiff @MEI_CTE As the #Taliban consolidate power, it's inevitable that #AlQaeda will seek to rebuild & #ISIS-K will aim to resurge -- plus TTP, IMU, TIP & more.
Though minimally said in public, governments are beginning to clock onto the prospect for a new foreign fighter flow to #Afghanistan.
Though minimally said in public, governments are beginning to clock onto the prospect for a new foreign fighter flow to #Afghanistan.
@RepAdamSchiff @MEI_CTE There are plenty of variables that'll determine whether & how significant any foreign fighter movement might be -- but policymakers should plan for the worst & learn lessons from #ISIS in #Syria-#Iraq.
One proposal is to make *any* travel to #Afghanistan a criminal offense.
One proposal is to make *any* travel to #Afghanistan a criminal offense.
@RepAdamSchiff @MEI_CTE #Syria was an "easy" destination for Europe & #MiddleEast-based foreign fighters -- that was a clear & significant facilitator.
Don't underestimate the potent aura that #Afghanistan represents as the 'birthplace' of #AlQaeda & the site of 2 'victories' -- against the USSR & USA.
Don't underestimate the potent aura that #Afghanistan represents as the 'birthplace' of #AlQaeda & the site of 2 'victories' -- against the USSR & USA.
@RepAdamSchiff @MEI_CTE FYI -- These numbers tell just a glimmer of the full story -- imagery tracking (i.e, evidence) indicates the #Taliban has captured at least 2,000x, if not 2,500x M1151 HMMWVs.
See this, which tracked to Aug 14:
oryxspioenkop.com/2021/06/disast…
See this, which tracked to Aug 14:
oryxspioenkop.com/2021/06/disast…
https://twitter.com/FrudBezhan/status/1429897696375152641
NEW - CIA Director Burns met with senior #Taliban leader & co-founder Mullah Baradar in #Kabul yesterday — amid heightening concern about the evacuation effort & unlikely prospects for extending the Aug 31 deadline.
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
This is a flawless explanation of the #Afghanistan situation -- how we got here, from #Trump to #Biden.
Somehow, @BBCRosAtkins always seems to hit the nails on their heads.
Take 7mins & watch:
Somehow, @BBCRosAtkins always seems to hit the nails on their heads.
Take 7mins & watch:
https://twitter.com/BBCRosAtkins/status/1429917290200457216
@BBCRosAtkins Wow, the #Taliban have promoted another Haqqani leader into a senior role -- Mohammed Nabi Omari (on left) as governor of Khost.
A former 12yr Guantanamo inmate, Nabi was released (with 4 others) for Bowe Bergdahl in 2014 -- he's got DEEP links with #AlQaeda.
A former 12yr Guantanamo inmate, Nabi was released (with 4 others) for Bowe Bergdahl in 2014 -- he's got DEEP links with #AlQaeda.
@BBCRosAtkins This is precisely what I said yesterday (see:
i.e., not enough, given what we know about the scale remaining in #Kabul/#Afghanistan.
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1429794786064601094) -- we'll need 3+ days to complete the military withdrawal, which now leaves us 3 days of civilian evacuation time left.
i.e., not enough, given what we know about the scale remaining in #Kabul/#Afghanistan.
https://twitter.com/idreesali114/status/1430149479295066112
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