Article

2021-08-31 Afghanistan

White House defends letting billions in military equipment fall into Taliban hands

[Washington Examiner] White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that it was not the Biden administration's intention to arm the Taliban with billions of dollars in military equipment originally given to the Afghan government but claimed that the United States is taking steps to "reduce the amount of equipment" in the Taliban's possession before completing the troop withdrawal at the end of the month.

Psaki, fielding questions at Monday's White House press briefing, declined to "get into details" of how specifically U.S. forces are carrying out the equipment destruction or
recovery but assured reporters "that is part of their effort."

Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana lawmaker who chairs the Republican Study Committee and served in Afghanistan, estimated the value of what was left behind at $85 billion.

The top White House spokeswoman outlined a series of choices the U.S. made that led to Taliban forces obtaining American-supplied equipment.

"We had to make an assessment several weeks ago about whether we provide materials to the Afghan National Security Forces so that they could fight the fight. Obviously, they decided not to fight, and we made the decision to provide them with that equipment and the material," she continued. "We have not assessed that any group on the ground, whether it's ISIS-K or the Taliban, has the ability to attack the United States."

Psaki added, "There's a difference between the threat that is posed to U.S. men and women serving or people who are gathering outside of the gates in Kabul and whether these individuals can attack the United States."

Posted by Besoeker 2021-08-31 07:10|| || Front Page|| [11138 views ] Top
File under: Taliban/IEA

#1 A question .
I read the WH Quote: "We had to make an assessment several weeks ago about whether we provide materials to the Afghan National Security Forces so that they could fight the fight. Obviously, they decided not to fight, and we made the decision to provide them with that equipment and the material,"

What is the bottom line?
Was this equipment property of the US Gov., or Sold/leased/loaned to the Afghan National Security Forces?

Either way it sounds like US DOD /SOS/INTEL Grps. and the WH JC's
missed or this call by a country mile.

What if they knew and planned for it?
Then was the bigger SOS / DOD / Intel Diplomatic plan to ARM the Taliban to keep RUSSIA, IRAN, AND CHINA from quickly expanding their territories.

Posted by NN2N1 2021-08-31 07:32|| 2021-08-31 07:32|| Front Page Top

#2 /\ Then was the bigger SOS / DOD / Intel Diplomatic plan to ARM the Taliban to keep RUSSIA, IRAN, AND CHINA from quickly expanding their territories.

An intriguing hypothesis.

Posted by Besoeker 2021-08-31 07:37|| 2021-08-31 07:37|| Front Page Top

#3
"Oh you know we were going to give them billions anyway."

"Ye still are, ye sasquatch lovin' bastitches!"

"Now look here! We must maintain stability in the regio... whoa!"

[Tomato flies. Followed by egg. Cabbage...]

Posted by Dron66046 2021-08-31 08:12|| 2021-08-31 08:12|| Front Page Top

#4 That would be intriguing, the SOS/DOD/Intel folks actually having a workable and well thought out plan that is.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2021-08-31 08:14|| 2021-08-31 08:14|| Front Page Top

#5 White House defends letting billions being handed out to millions of southern invaders.

So what is different?

Posted by Procopius2k 2021-08-31 08:16|| 2021-08-31 08:16|| Front Page Top

#6 Ref #2: After some thought I have concluded that our Gov't is incapable of such long-range planning (anything beyond CNN's next day headlines).

Posted by Besoeker 2021-08-31 09:13|| 2021-08-31 09:13|| Front Page Top

#7 I assume nitrocellulosedoormat was not involved.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2021-08-31 09:34|| 2021-08-31 09:34|| Front Page Top

#8 *Sigh* Classic Politico-speak "It's never my fault!!"

Posted by magpie 2021-08-31 09:58|| 2021-08-31 09:58|| Front Page Top

#9 What if they knew and planned for it?
Then was the bigger SOS / DOD / Intel Diplomatic plan to ARM the Taliban to keep RUSSIA, IRAN, AND CHINA from quickly expanding their territories

An intriguing hypothesis, and it might actually be a good idea, but I would never give them that much credit.

Posted by Abu Uluque 2021-08-31 12:01|| 2021-08-31 12:01|| Front Page Top

#10 Paul Krugman: "At the very least we're seeing an impressive display of sheer competence."

Posted by Matt 2021-08-31 12:34|| 2021-08-31 12:34|| Front Page Top

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