Afghanistan’s current Minister of Energy and Water, Mohammad Ismail Khan, who is also a former leader of the Northern Alliance, which fought the Taliban until it was disbanded after the US invasion in 2001, said today that he and other warlords are rearming their militias in anticipation of NATO troop withdrawals. Khan had some scathing words for NATO forces, and said that NATO has failed to secure Afghanistan. From TOLONews:
Afghanistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Ismail Khan on Thursday said that the process of creating a military unit made up of the former mujahedeen fighters is underway to protect and secure Afghanistan because Nato had failed to do so.
Ismail Khan said in a gathering with former regional Jihadi commanders in west and southwest Afghanistan that the Mujahedeen should also be given more roles in the government as the foreign armies – the Nato-led international security assistance force Isaf – had failed to ensure stability in the country.
He emphasised that just as the Mujahedeen had previously driven out the foreign invaders, the Soviets, so too there was now a need for the Mujahedeen to again rescue the country from “foreign conspiracies”.
“The foreigners sidelined those who had fought for ages,” Ismail Khan said in western Herat province.
“They collected all our weapons, our artillery and tanks, and put them on the rubbish heap. Instead, they brought Dutch girls, French girls, girls from Holland, they armed American girls, they brought white-skinned Western soldiers, and black-skinned American soldiers, and they thought by doing all this they would bring security here but they failed,” he added.
Khan and other former Northern Alliance leaders clearly do not believe that the surge has succeeded in securing Afghanistan from the Taliban. This stands in stark contrast to the recent assessment by US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who said that the green-on-blue attacks and other Taliban actions were evidence of the “last gasp” of the Taliban.
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7 Comments
While finding the Afghan Mini-sir’s comment humorous (sending in girls and white & black skinned males), I can’t help but be reminded of the endless blissful ignorance that gracefully coats the landscape like Afghanistan’s unique moondust. Rather than blame the policymakers in Washington and the UN (who restrains an overly powerful military with rules of engagement) this Minister of Dust and Wind blames the very same people who helped the Northern Alliance do what they could not do on their own…you’re welcome.
No Ismail, ISAF spilled blood and treasure in 11 years waiting for Afghans to take control of their own security. True, many Afghans have fought and died – but the majority have let the brave minority down. The majority would rather submit to fanatical religious individuals than drive them out of the country back into Pakistan where they belong.
“they brought Dutch girls, French girls, girls from Holland, they armed American girls, they brought white-skinned Western soldiers, and black-skinned American soldiers, and they thought by doing all this they would bring security here but they failed,”
The above is the main reason why we “failed” if you want to say that. Their prejudice regarding “infidels” runs deep throughout the population. Even with former Northern Alliance fighters like this Minister. I’ve seen it first hand. I’m not sure we ever had a real chance of convincing them to see this world in a Democratic/Western light. Their religion trumps anything we say or do.
” Khan had some scathing words for NATO forces, and said that NATO has failed to secure Afghanistan.” Mr Khan, the most scathing word is “Taliban.” After over a decade of assistance, Afghans have failed to unite and defeat the Taliban. That is your failure Mr. Khan, not the failure of the Dutch girls who have died to keep you in power. You are exhibiting the classic signs of blaming others for your failures. Soon you will have your chance to prove your statements to be correct because we are leaving. After the French girls are gone the situation will be just you against the Taliban. I suggest you become familiar with Swiss immigration laws and use some of your ill-gotten gains to buy a nice condo in Zurich.
Whatever happens when we pull out it will go back to the bad old days of the Northern Alliance Versus Taliban/Pakistan.
Pakistan Army/Iran Govt/Muslim Brotherhood/Salifism in Egypt all fight for one thing the Global Caliphate returning because they feel that is the only way to regain power in the world.
They hate Kamal Atarturk more than George W Bush because he destroyed the Caliphate!
http://www.beautifulislam.net/articles/kamal_ataturk.htm
No surprise here. Ismail Khan making ‘moves’ as Afghanistan transitions into what many are already anticipating to be an uncertain future come 2014.
I appreciate the insights provided by Mr. Khan’s comments. As a high-ranking Afghan official, installed and maintained in office by the blood of Dutch and American girls and black-skinned American soldiers, Mr. Khan must represent the best and the brightest of the Afgahn people.
The Afghan people have been presented such a costly opportunity to live in the light … now they must decide whether to live in Mr. Khan’s 7th Century, dim-witted, perpetual hog wallow of a society, or to take responsibility and pursue the opportunities for a better life that they have been offered.
@Dave: Good writing. It triggered what I call Afghanistan 2016, Life in the Caliphate. With the return to the 7th Century, Afghanistan is sure to maintain its dominant position as the world’s leader in the field of infant mortality rate with 121.63 deaths/1,000 live births. As for maternal mortality rate, Afghanistan sits at twenty-first. The Caliphate can certainly improve that number, getting it into the single digits position by denying education to females. As for infectious diseases, the Caliphate is sure to make great strides in spreading Polio by prohibiting vaccination. As for the major infectious diseases stuff, here is what the CIA says: degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
animal contact disease: rabies.
As the Caliphate improves the communication with like minded individuals in the tribal areas of Pakistan, the race for the title of “The World’s Sickest Country” will become a photo finish. Here is what the CIA says about Pakistan’s major infectious disease status:
” degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies ”
My description of the Caliphate is based on information copied from the CIA’s World Fact Book. Anyone wishing to expand my tome is free to do so.