| > I have to say the speed at which the Taliban took over once the US pulled out is pretty astonishing: it's clear they have a strong level of popular support. The explanation is very, very simple, but I don't see any Western media talking about it at all. Basically, Afghan government fell apart when USA withdrew the pork barrel of military contracts from locals. People forget that 20 years ago USA mounted all kinds of warlords, and other rogue elements into seats of power. The entirety of regional elites which emerged in these 20 years are a product of that system. The only things securing their loyalty to USA, and thus to the government in Kabul were American money. The moment they ran out, it all fell apart just like Middle Eastern, and Latin American US friendly regimes. The "Our Bastard!" theory showed extreme naivete of people following it yet again. There is no such things as "Our Bastards!" Time to learn that after 60 years. Henry Kisinger lured USA into a geopolitical deathtrap with his lunatical political theories. Now US has found itself in the world surrounded by backstabbing, and turncoat regimes of its own making, who nor fear, nor respect it now, and who will pounce the moment USA stops spoonfeeding them, and shows its back. USA has less allies in the world now than at any time in the last century. USA can't now fight half the world dominated by solidified group of corrupt regimes. Escaping this situation will be extremely hard. USA cannot rely on allies who are loyal only to American printing press. USA will not score any real allies without changing itself first |