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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: thundley4 on July 28, 2009, 11:37:06 AM

Title: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: thundley4 on July 28, 2009, 11:37:06 AM
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/7/27/1248726197433/A-soldier-in-Afghanistan-001.jpg)
A soldier in Gereshk, Afghanistan. Gordon Brown has signalled the end of the first phase of Operation Panther's Claw, aimed at driving back the Taliban. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

"A concerted effort to start unprecedented talks between Taliban and British and American envoys was outlined yesterday in a significant change in tactics designed to bring about a breakthrough in the attritional, eight-year conflict in Afghanistan.

Senior ministers and commanders on the ground believe they have created the right conditions to open up a dialogue with "second-tier" local leaders now the Taliban have been forced back in a swath of Helmand province.

They are hoping that Britain's continuing military presence in Helmand, strengthened by the arrival of thousands of US troops, will encourage Taliban commanders to end the insurgency. There is even talk in London and Washington of a military "exit strategy".

Speaking at the end of the five-week Operation Panther's Claw in which hundreds of British troops were reported to have cleared insurgents from a vital region of Helmand province, Lieutenant-General Simon Mayall, deputy chief of defence staff, said: "It gives the Taliban 'second tier' room to reconnect with the government and this is absolutely at the heart of this operation."  Guardian UK (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/27/britain-us-talks-taliban-afghanistan)

 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on July 28, 2009, 11:42:32 AM
What could possibly go wrong with that?

 :whatever:
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: TheSarge on July 28, 2009, 11:42:45 AM
England just sealed their fate with the Taliban.  The minute you begin to want to "talk" Muslims take that as a sign of weakness and a sign they can destroy you.

And FWIW there are no "moderate" Taliban.
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: JohnnyReb on July 28, 2009, 11:59:28 AM
England just sealed their fate with the Taliban.  The minute you begin to want to "talk" Muslims take that as a sign of weakness and a sign they can destroy you.

And FWIW there are no "moderate" Taliban.

If they're willing to talk, it's a sign of their weakness....or we've hurt'em bad. Their holy books tell them that when they are losing to enter peace agreements but only until they are strong enough to fight again.
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: SilverOrchid on July 28, 2009, 12:18:49 PM
Yeah, good luck with all that.  :whatever:
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: seabelle on July 28, 2009, 12:38:09 PM
More proof this is Carter's 2nd Term  ::)
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: seabelle on July 28, 2009, 12:40:08 PM
If they're willing to talk, it's a sign of their weakness....or we've hurt'em bad. Their holy books tell them that when they are losing to enter peace agreements but only until they are strong enough to fight again.

Right out of the Democratic Playbook, eh?   :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on July 28, 2009, 12:44:23 PM
If they're willing to talk, it's a sign of their weakness....or we've hurt'em bad. Their holy books tell them that when they are losing to enter peace agreements but only until they are strong enough to fight again.

To the extent they engage in talks, it is strictly a means to drag things out and wear down our willingness to stay on the ground, the Muslim world has conducted war and peace this way for a millenium and a half.  And our willingness to stay on the ground is all too easily worn down.
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: AllosaursRus on July 28, 2009, 01:16:58 PM
Vietnam all over again! Hold talks with the ENEMY until the American people say enough is enough!

Typical, the Executive Branch thinks they know how to run a war better than the military!

Chock this one up in the lose column! That's the only way these things turn out.

Go in, kick the living shit out of 'em until they cry uncle! That's the only way a war is ever won. Why is it our politicians have a hard time with that philosophy? This mamby pamby BS always results in more soldiers lost than was necessary!
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: thundley4 on July 28, 2009, 01:20:28 PM
Vietnam all over again! Hold talks with the ENEMY until the American people say enough is enough!

Typical, the Executive Branch thinks they know how to run a war better than the military!

Chock this one up in the lose column! That's the only way these things turn out.

Go in, kick the living shit out of 'em until they cry uncle! That's the only way a war is ever won. Why is it our politicians have a hard time with that philosophy? This mamby pamby BS always results in more soldiers lost than was necessary!

Yep, we can almost bet that US forces will be on stand down and in a defensive posture during talks, while the Taliban continue their assaults and bombings.  Hamas tend to do the same thing with Israel.
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: Chris_ on July 28, 2009, 06:35:37 PM
 :banghead: Why is this administration so hell bent on underminding our troops and their mission.  Step away from the war arm chair generals and let the real ones do their jobs!!
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: TheSarge on July 28, 2009, 08:39:53 PM
:banghead: Why is this administration so hell bent on underminding our troops and their mission. 

Because today's politicians are the hippies and war protesters of the 1960's.  Only now they've got the levers of power and they're still bound and determined to screw over us camo wearing baby killers.
Title: Re: Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
Post by: Chris_ on July 28, 2009, 08:44:36 PM
 :fuelfire:They should be forced to put their boots in the sand like our brave men and women who have served in theater. I mean I have had friends and family members who have proudly served and want to do it again. How many of them would put their a**es on the line. No wait they are too chicken to do anything but shoot off their mouths