LA Times: There is no ‘winning’ military strategy in Afghanistan
Afghan Taliban Militants
The Los Angeles Times reported:
There is no ‘winning’ military strategy in Afghanistan
August 23, 2017
When President Trump announced his decision to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this week, he described it as a bold new strategy to achieve victory in the 16-year-old war.
“In the end, we will win,” he promised. “We will always win.”
But there wasn’t much that was new about the ideas Trump outlined. If you listened closely, he wasn’t really promising to win the Afghan war, except in the limited sense of preventing the Taliban from toppling the U.S.-backed government. And the few, sketchy steps he outlined didn’t add up to a true strategy — more like a holding action aimed at staving off defeat.
And yet, for all that, it could have been worse.
Like presidents before him, Trump has discovered that foreign policy often requires choosing among bad options. …
Trump came into office having long argued that the United States should simply give up on its longest war. “Afghanistan is a complete waste,” he tweeted in 2012. “Time to come home!”
To his credit, once his generals explained that withdrawal would almost certainly make the country a base for Al Qaeda and Islamic State — and that he’d be blamed for the terrorists’ win — the president backed down. He gave Defense Secretary James N. Mattis more personnel, more time, more decision-making authority and a commitment (at least rhetorically) to stay as long as needed to stabilize the Kabul government.
That’s not to suggest that stability is in the cards any time soon. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-mcmanus-afghanistan-strategy-20170823-story.html
The difficulty that the Trump Administration is facing in Afghanistan is not a surprise.
The situation in Afghanistan is difficult. In April of this year, the Trump Administration authorized the dropping of the largest non-nuclear bomb ever used in combat (see M.O.A.B. Apocalypse? Trump triggering WWIII? ‘North Korea threatens pre-emptive nuclear strike’).
That did not stop the Taliban or other terroristic forces in Afghanistan.
The Taliban want to control Afghanistan. They do not just want peace in some section of that nation–they want the entire land. The so-called Islamic State is also there.
When George W. Bush was president, the USA kicked the Taliban out of the top leadership of Afghanistan (they were out of controlling power by the end of 2001). Yet, the Taliban still remain in that nation. Islamists figured out some time ago that they can often outlast the USA if they wait long enough. When Barack Obama was president, his public statements about defeating the Taliban were overly optimistic.
I have warned for years that the situation in Afghanistan was not going as well as the USA has publicly declared or hoped.
For example, on March 9, 2013 (see Taliban suicide bombing in Afghanistan: Considered to be a warning?), I wrote:
Unless the USA keeps enough troops in Afghanistan (which it is not intending to do), the situation there will change to something that the USA has claimed that it does not want. The Taliban, other Islamic groups, and tribal leaders will pretty much insure that.
On October 26, 2014 (see USA and UK cease combat operations in Afghanistan: What’s next?), I wrote:
After Barack Obama pulled troops out of Iraq, a group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant rose up. When ISIL fought the American trained Iraqi troops, those troops often dropped their weapons and fled. This resulted in ISIL taking over territory. It now calls itself as simply the Islamic State. The Islamic State is believed to pose the greatest threat to Iraq and the general region. It may well decide to use part of Afghanistan as a safe haven by 2015. …
The ceasing of combat operations by the UK and USA is not a victory in Afghanistan. It is a pause so that troops can be pulled out. It will not bring real peace to the region. At least some in Afghanistan will likely support the rise of a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South.
Notice that the Islamic State did move more into Afghanistan by 2015:
The creation of an official Islamic State wilayat in Afghanistan galvanized the group’s outreach and recruitment throughout the first half of 2015. IS Emir Hafiz Saeed Khan quickly utilized his established militant net – works to recruit in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces like Kunar and Nangarhar, where many T.T.P. militants had settled following Pakistani military operations in North Waziristan Agency. 12 His deputy, Mullah Abdul Rauf Khadim, did the same in the southern provinces. The Islamic State quickly gained support among other disenfranchised Taliban fighters, intrigued by the allure of a new jihadist force and the appeal of the international group’s infamous brand. …
While worrisome, many Taliban defectors to IS appear to have been persuaded by the group’s generous resources, which supplied fighters with laptops, pickup trucks, and ample funds to support their families, rather than its rigid worldview and ideology. 16 More alarming were the reports of foreign fighters, many with ties to IS Khorasan leadership, who began entering Afghanistan in droves by early 2015. In January, some 200 foreign fighters with links to IS, and their families, were settling in Afghanistan’s south – east, including Paktika and Ghazni provinces. (The Islamic State in Afghanistan Examining its Threat to Stability May 2016 http://www.mei.edu/sites/default/files/publications/PF12_McNallyAmiral_ISISAfghan_web.pdf)
On October 15, 2015 (see VOA; ‘Obama to Reverse Course on US Military Posture in Afghanistan’), I wrote:
The USA did not defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan–it basically ‘kicked the can further down the road.’ After seeing what happened to Iraq after the USA ceased ‘combat operations’ this should make it clear that Afghanistan is not secure. Afghanistan needs the Kingdom of God.
All the fighting, killing, and terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa are getting political and religious leaders to rethink their approach to the region. But not to turn to the Bible.
The time will come when a confederation of nations from North Africa and the Middle East will form, which the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Political leaders outside of the region apparently will support this. Though this will not end well for the participants (cf. Daniel 11:39-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8).
On December 22, 2015, I posted:
There will be no lasting peace in Afghanistan until the establishment of the Kingdom of God. But, we likely will see a temporal peace before that (Daniel 9:27; see The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).
On January 10, 2016, I posted:
The Taliban wants to control Afghanistan. They do not just want peace in some section. The “political solution” that Afghanistan needs is the Kingdom of God. …
There will be no lasting peace in Afghanistan. As I have repeatedly written, Afghanistan needs the Kingdom of God.
Expect to see some shifts in Afghanistan as it likely will give some support to the final caliphate known as the King of the South of Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:40-43).
On June 3, 2017, I posted:
The situation in Afghanistan is not encouraging.
There will be no lasting peace in Afghanistan–though a temporal peace is likely to affect it and elsewhere (cf. Daniel 9:27; see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).
Afghanistan has been called the USA’s longest running war. And it is still not going well. Afghanistan is a mountainous region that is broken up into various tribal areas. Afghanistan was a financial drain on the old Soviet Union and some believe that this is part of why the Soviet Union finally broke up
As I have repeatedly written, Afghanistan needs the Kingdom of God. Here is a link to CCOG information in the Afghan language of Pashto: پښتو
I expect to see some shifts in Afghanistan as it likely will give some support to the final caliphate known as the King of the South of Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:40-43).
US actions may motivate it in that direction.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic?
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse This 188 page book is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Donald Trump and the United States, including learning about several that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99 from the following link: Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition.
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