Afghanistan 2021 Onwards
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/s...-b1927458.html
Taliban bans hairdressers from shaving or trimming beards
The Taliban has banned some hairdressers in Afghanistan from shaving or trimming beards as the militant group extended its hardline rule based on Islamic law within a month of seizing control of the country.
A letter signed by Taliban officials asked salons to enforce “puritanical Islamic law” and warned them that violators would be punished, said a local journalist in a tweet.
“In Helmand, a letter signed by the Provincial Director of Preaching and Guidance and Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice — the office to enforce puritanical Islamic law — warning hair salons not to trim or shave beard. Lack of enforcement will mean punishment and shaming,” the tweet read.
The rule has been imposed in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province and certain parts of the capital city Kabul, according to BBC News.
Local salons in the south Asian country have also reported an increase in scrutiny from the Taliban. A hairdresser running a prominent salon in Kabul said he received a call from a Taliban official instructing him to “stop following American styles”.
Taliban bans hairdressers from shaving or trimming beards
The Taliban has banned some hairdressers in Afghanistan from shaving or trimming beards as the militant group extended its hardline rule based on Islamic law within a month of seizing control of the country.
A letter signed by Taliban officials asked salons to enforce “puritanical Islamic law” and warned them that violators would be punished, said a local journalist in a tweet.
“In Helmand, a letter signed by the Provincial Director of Preaching and Guidance and Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice — the office to enforce puritanical Islamic law — warning hair salons not to trim or shave beard. Lack of enforcement will mean punishment and shaming,” the tweet read.
The rule has been imposed in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province and certain parts of the capital city Kabul, according to BBC News.
Local salons in the south Asian country have also reported an increase in scrutiny from the Taliban. A hairdresser running a prominent salon in Kabul said he received a call from a Taliban official instructing him to “stop following American styles”.
"banned some hairdressers in Afghanistan from shaving or trimming beards"
Does that apply to the men as well?
Does that apply to the men as well?
"What did any of the kumbayah, sit around the campfire folks think?"
Don't like it - but it's their country Gums - no-one likes foreigners poking their noses into their business and that's the same the whole world over. the Afghans seem to spend most of their history fighting foreigners poking about in their backyards
Don't like it - but it's their country Gums - no-one likes foreigners poking their noses into their business and that's the same the whole world over. the Afghans seem to spend most of their history fighting foreigners poking about in their backyards
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Only when it interrupts their fighting viciously amongst themselves.
“Me and my nation against the world. Me and my clan against my nation. Me and my family against the clan. Me and my brother against the family. Me against my brother.”….
“Me and my nation against the world. Me and my clan against my nation. Me and my family against the clan. Me and my brother against the family. Me against my brother.”….
Of course!
But its unwise to get into a fight between brothers for that very reason. they'll both turn on you
But its unwise to get into a fight between brothers for that very reason. they'll both turn on you
Salute!
So true, ORAC and Astur.... and my observation was directed toward the ignorant poly-tickian folks in the U.S.
Unlike the "war" I was part of so long ago, this conflict is/ was not about land or borders or... and BTW, I was there for the first end of the war in early 73 and then the real end in 75. My sqd covered the evac at Saigon ( Frequent Wind) , being the only dedicated CAS and helo escort unit in the theater, and our sister unit at Korat, flying F-4's, were the A2A folks ( 3rd TFS and 34th TFS ). Being a strict military operation by the PAVN, they simply drove into town and Big Minh handed over the keys to the palace.
Unlike many bogus comparisons depict, only a very few folks climbed onto helos from rooftops. The ARVN helo folks simply took their families and friends out to the boats, and my old VNAF A-37 students either used one of their jets or as one of my students did, stole an O-1 and crammed his family into the thing and flew to Thailand from the southern part of the country. One of my students defected and led the attack on the presidential palace a few days earlier, heh heh....
I am glad this sad episode is over, but I feel there are still folks that think they can overcome centuries of tradition and religious practices. Guess they didn't notice British, French and Russian history there.
Gums sends...
So true, ORAC and Astur.... and my observation was directed toward the ignorant poly-tickian folks in the U.S.
Unlike the "war" I was part of so long ago, this conflict is/ was not about land or borders or... and BTW, I was there for the first end of the war in early 73 and then the real end in 75. My sqd covered the evac at Saigon ( Frequent Wind) , being the only dedicated CAS and helo escort unit in the theater, and our sister unit at Korat, flying F-4's, were the A2A folks ( 3rd TFS and 34th TFS ). Being a strict military operation by the PAVN, they simply drove into town and Big Minh handed over the keys to the palace.
Unlike many bogus comparisons depict, only a very few folks climbed onto helos from rooftops. The ARVN helo folks simply took their families and friends out to the boats, and my old VNAF A-37 students either used one of their jets or as one of my students did, stole an O-1 and crammed his family into the thing and flew to Thailand from the southern part of the country. One of my students defected and led the attack on the presidential palace a few days earlier, heh heh....
I am glad this sad episode is over, but I feel there are still folks that think they can overcome centuries of tradition and religious practices. Guess they didn't notice British, French and Russian history there.
Gums sends...
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Reminds me of the UK... 
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...rs-2021-09-01/
Ohhh I do like a good laugh...
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...rs-2021-09-01/
LONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The new, Taliban-appointed head of Afghanistan's central bank has sought to reassure banks the group wants a fully-functioning financial system, but has so far provided little detail on how it will supply funds to sustain it, said four bankers familiar with the matter.
The acting central bank governor, Haji Mohammad Idris, met members of the Afghanistan Banks Association and other bankers this week, and told them that the Taliban viewed the banking sector as imperative, said two bankers who attended the meeting.
The acting central bank governor, Haji Mohammad Idris, met members of the Afghanistan Banks Association and other bankers this week, and told them that the Taliban viewed the banking sector as imperative, said two bankers who attended the meeting.
Idris, a Taliban loyalist who has no formal financial training or higher education, was appointed to head the central bank last week.
Ohhh I do like a good laugh...
"Idris, a Taliban loyalist who has no formal financial training or higher education, was appointed to head the central bank last week."
So no different to most Govt Ministers appointed to be heads of finance in most countries over the years....................... I suspect he's a hard man to bargain with tho' and knows which side of a dollar bill is which
So no different to most Govt Ministers appointed to be heads of finance in most countries over the years....................... I suspect he's a hard man to bargain with tho' and knows which side of a dollar bill is which
Salute!
To be honest, the religious fanatics do not need lottsa $$$. They just need a fair share of the male populace on their side and a lotta AK's.
I do not see how they can run the airport or most anything else without outside help. Their admin prowess got an "F" back in the 90's and after 9/11. It will be the same in the next year or so.
Their concept of "wealth" and such is foreign to most of us on these forums. Power? Yeah. But basic admin competence for a semi-civilized group of people is gonna need help, and they proved this 35 years ago when the Russians left.
I feel sad, as I had one really neat Afghan student at Air University ( transport pilot) . I did not realize what the situation was in the 'stan then ( 1978 - 1979), and was BZ trying to get my F-16 assignment.
Gums sends...
To be honest, the religious fanatics do not need lottsa $$$. They just need a fair share of the male populace on their side and a lotta AK's.
I do not see how they can run the airport or most anything else without outside help. Their admin prowess got an "F" back in the 90's and after 9/11. It will be the same in the next year or so.
Their concept of "wealth" and such is foreign to most of us on these forums. Power? Yeah. But basic admin competence for a semi-civilized group of people is gonna need help, and they proved this 35 years ago when the Russians left.
I feel sad, as I had one really neat Afghan student at Air University ( transport pilot) . I did not realize what the situation was in the 'stan then ( 1978 - 1979), and was BZ trying to get my F-16 assignment.
Gums sends...
All 2nd-hand information, but hopefully of interest.
David Kilkullen's book, 'The Accidental Guerrilla', covers some of the reasons why people take up arms.
In line with what has been said above, Kilkullen claims most guerrilla's aren't interested in fighting outside their borders (be they clan or, possibly, country). On that basis, the Taliban 'only' wanted to rid Afghanistan of foreigners. So while they likely will be a deadly menace to their countrymen and women, they may not be a threat to any other country. Hope this plays out ... but have to feel for the terrors they will impose on Afghan citizens.
In the "The Looming Tower" (Lawrence Wright) claimed the 1990's version of the Taliban were not enamoured with Al-Qaeda and their activities. There was potential for serious conflict between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda until 'the West' tried to pressure them. Being resistant to things western, the Taliban backed off from harassing Al-Qaeda. That did not turn out well for many hundreds of thousands of people, nor for the Taliban.
If the Taliban have learnt that lesson, they may not be too keen to harbour terrorists ('freedom fighters'*) in Afghanistan.
* aside from Al-Qaeda, their were many other groups in Afghanistan including those seeking to overthrow governments e.g. Mubarak in Egypt. It would seem few, if any, shared Bin Laden's hatred of things Western - particularly the USA - to the extent they would have taken their 'war' outside of their particular target.
How (if?) the Taliban handle Daesh (ISIS) may be a different game again.
David Kilkullen's book, 'The Accidental Guerrilla', covers some of the reasons why people take up arms.
In line with what has been said above, Kilkullen claims most guerrilla's aren't interested in fighting outside their borders (be they clan or, possibly, country). On that basis, the Taliban 'only' wanted to rid Afghanistan of foreigners. So while they likely will be a deadly menace to their countrymen and women, they may not be a threat to any other country. Hope this plays out ... but have to feel for the terrors they will impose on Afghan citizens.
In the "The Looming Tower" (Lawrence Wright) claimed the 1990's version of the Taliban were not enamoured with Al-Qaeda and their activities. There was potential for serious conflict between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda until 'the West' tried to pressure them. Being resistant to things western, the Taliban backed off from harassing Al-Qaeda. That did not turn out well for many hundreds of thousands of people, nor for the Taliban.
If the Taliban have learnt that lesson, they may not be too keen to harbour terrorists ('freedom fighters'*) in Afghanistan.
* aside from Al-Qaeda, their were many other groups in Afghanistan including those seeking to overthrow governments e.g. Mubarak in Egypt. It would seem few, if any, shared Bin Laden's hatred of things Western - particularly the USA - to the extent they would have taken their 'war' outside of their particular target.
How (if?) the Taliban handle Daesh (ISIS) may be a different game again.
The Pashtun are not Arabs, right?
(Granted, it probably applies)
Salute!
I am not sure if the reference you describe, Wolf, is Arab or Muslim or other.......
Seems to me to be a "code of the third world tribal culture", regardless of color or religion ( well maybe not one religion). I am sure I can find that code in several places in Africa and possibly outposts in other places. I flew with and trained folks from SEA, and tho there was a lotta tribal customs in the case of the Hmong, it was nothing like the Muslims practice. Our Air Commando experience can talk all about it.
My Pakistan student in the Viper was a Pashtun, and my Afghan student at Air University was close to that tribe, but he was not of the Taliban ilk and we even snorted a few shots of Jim Beam. He had no problrm with women , and floated along. The Pakistan pilots we checked out in the Viper were 1) outstanding pilots, 2) left their religion at the parking lot and "tolerated" our western culture, heh heh. The biggest thing that they left we instructors with was a constant reminder that they were not Arabs. Muslims? Sure, but not Arabs. I think they are more genetically and culturally related with the Iranian/Persian folks.
Needless to say, no major political or ethnic group has ever changed the Afghan way of life, nor eliminated that terrible relgion's hold upon so may of them. And I now step off the soap box...
Gums sends...
I am not sure if the reference you describe, Wolf, is Arab or Muslim or other.......
Seems to me to be a "code of the third world tribal culture", regardless of color or religion ( well maybe not one religion). I am sure I can find that code in several places in Africa and possibly outposts in other places. I flew with and trained folks from SEA, and tho there was a lotta tribal customs in the case of the Hmong, it was nothing like the Muslims practice. Our Air Commando experience can talk all about it.
My Pakistan student in the Viper was a Pashtun, and my Afghan student at Air University was close to that tribe, but he was not of the Taliban ilk and we even snorted a few shots of Jim Beam. He had no problrm with women , and floated along. The Pakistan pilots we checked out in the Viper were 1) outstanding pilots, 2) left their religion at the parking lot and "tolerated" our western culture, heh heh. The biggest thing that they left we instructors with was a constant reminder that they were not Arabs. Muslims? Sure, but not Arabs. I think they are more genetically and culturally related with the Iranian/Persian folks.
Needless to say, no major political or ethnic group has ever changed the Afghan way of life, nor eliminated that terrible relgion's hold upon so may of them. And I now step off the soap box...
Gums sends...
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Lonewolf_50,
My quote is a Somali proverb - and associated with many papers regarding the US operations there - and of course “Blackhawk Down”.
But it seems apt to apply it to the entire region, in the circumstances….
My quote is a Somali proverb - and associated with many papers regarding the US operations there - and of course “Blackhawk Down”.
But it seems apt to apply it to the entire region, in the circumstances….
It's worth pointing out that much of this discussion applies to other hot-spots - I'm thinking especially of the Yemen - another place its best to cross the street to avoid from a geo-political view.
I'd add parts of the Caucasus as well TBH
I'd add parts of the Caucasus as well TBH
Salute!
Regardless of our pPrune ROE about poly-ticks, we military aviators have gone where ordered and done our jobs.
So the mods must change the ROE or allow we who have actually been shot at, shot up and shot down discuss and comment in peace.
Some of us have even atenced all the charm schools and published articles in various journals.
So the current poly-tick ROE must be revised if we wish to have relevant military discussions from our members that have been there, done that and are still able to comment. Ya think?
Gums sends..
Regardless of our pPrune ROE about poly-ticks, we military aviators have gone where ordered and done our jobs.
So the mods must change the ROE or allow we who have actually been shot at, shot up and shot down discuss and comment in peace.
Some of us have even atenced all the charm schools and published articles in various journals.
So the current poly-tick ROE must be revised if we wish to have relevant military discussions from our members that have been there, done that and are still able to comment. Ya think?
Gums sends..
Declining market Gums - the owners and the advertisers are only interested in Volume here
Plus of course the tax payers also should have a say don't you think?
Plus of course the tax payers also should have a say don't you think?
Having travelled around Afghanistan (and other countries in the region) in the 70s and subsequently paid pretty close attention to it - I've got a small library on the subject - I'd like to think that not having been "shot at" isn't a bar to having an opinion here. I've seen my own judgements about likely outcomes confirmed often enough, starting with the appalling mis-judgements which led to support for the likes of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and the "foreign fighters" (aka Bin Laden's Saudi crew) at the inception of the insurgency against the Soviet occupation. I've heard and read enough appalling judgements uttered by those in command who have been shot at to not automatically endorse their opinions even though, in principle, I value their service. Ultimately the egregious faults of western engagement in the region originate with the political and administrative classes.
Long-term the only likely "solutions" to the problem of Afghanistan lie far in the future and require the decay of a primitive religion and, probably, the division of the country into some sort of regional federation of the various tribes. I'm not holding my breath on either count. Then there's Pakistan...
Long-term the only likely "solutions" to the problem of Afghanistan lie far in the future and require the decay of a primitive religion and, probably, the division of the country into some sort of regional federation of the various tribes. I'm not holding my breath on either count. Then there's Pakistan...