Nutty, re your first para, I was just thinking exactly the same...

A smart move for the West would be to use this event to kindle a sort of bond with the Taliban and grow together not apart. War, threats and interventions are not the solution evidently.

Just wondering if there is a bit of deception and bluffing going in about the timing of the last flights out.

Watching Sky this morning they have a camera at a strategic high point watching the movements in an out of the airport and there have only been a couple of civil charter arrivals this morning and there seem very few C-17s remaining on the stands.

I imagine OPSEC is one of the things they are thinking about. Nothing new.

What value will the money of a fiat currency have after such a huge humiliation ?
Best to barter with the local currency, Opium , gold , diamonds and slaves .

Yea, there is that old saying that goes something like 'I'm not looking for a fight, but I seem to keep finding one." Just saying no more wars isn't enough.

Every time I think things couldn't get much worse, they do. At least for the time being, the Taliban appears to be trying to play - at least with the West. Hard to imagine a worse scenario than ISIS/Al-Qaeda - who have absolutely no interest in playing nice with anyone besides their own radical Islamist's - taking over...

Ouch…..


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....867ed42ec.jpeg

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/afg...apse-1.6151739

Former Afghan Air Force pilots request asylum in Canada

Now to see if he can get a charter flight into the airport.

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-08-27/...ing-evacuation

Pen Farthing and rescue animals awaiting flight from inside Kabul airport, Ministry of Defence says

A charity worker whose campaign to evacuate animals from Afghanistan has been closely followed across the world is being processed at Kabul airport and awaits a flight to safety.…..

On Friday evening, the Ministry of Defence tweeted: "Pen Farthing and his pets were assisted through the system at Kabul airport by the UK Armed Forces. They are currently being supported while he awaits transportation."

"On the direction of the Defence Secretary, clearance for their charter flight has been sponsored by the UK Government."…..

I believe there are plenty of slots from 1st September

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...istan-pakistan

‘Unprecedented’ numbers crossing from Afghanistan to Pakistan

An “unprecedented” number of people are travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan through the official border crossing, according to local officials, as the carnage in Kabul after the airport suicide attack has driven more to try to flee the country.

While Pakistan has said it will not accept any Afghan refugees, the Spin Boldak-Chaman land border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has remained open, and in recent days hundreds of thousands of Afghans have crossed over.

Only people who are travelling to Pakistan for medical treatment or have proof of residence in the country are allowed to cross, but people smugglers have been assisting families to get over the border…..

Was on the road today.....pulled into a Pizza shop for lunch......Thirteen Chairs leaned up against the Bar....thirteen Pints pulled and sitting in Glasses.....in honor of those killed in the Bombing in Kabul yesterday.

Most of them were from the Marine Corps units assigned to Units based in the vicinity of the Town.

Other Restaurants were doing the same in honor of those lost.

Somehow....it just felt right seeing such a nice gesture in a place that knows the risks some of its customers take in their work.

The Beirut Barracks Memorial is not far away.

I noticed I was not the only one that bought Pizza and Beer for Marines today.

That also felt right.

I suppose those Thirteen are on a flight back to the USA today....for a sad welcome by their families.

A sad day for all involved, RIP guys and / or girls, you paid the ultimate price to help those that couldn’t help themselves.
Let us hope you are the last to die, to the families of those lost, my heartfelt condolences to you all on your tragic loss.

Last UK flight out today. Pax on Voyager that just landed at Brize were are troops.

There is quite a line of both American and British C-17’s inbound for Afghanistan right now. I count at least 8 inbound, and 4 outbound. Looks like they are going to/from Dubai.

Fair reward?
 

Let’s just remember that those (very brave) Paras (and other important personnel) and RAF crews deployed at short notice into an extremely dangerous situation.

Let’s also remember that we heard extensively in the last few months from the various Unions associated with the NHS about how they had put their lives on the line to save lives.

I absolutely agreed with the decision to give the NHS an increase on their initial 1% offer and I think 3% (given the financial situation of the UK is fair) is a pretty good deal.

Those Paras helped to save thousands of lives and the fact that they have no Union to represent them means they will see no reward for their bravery and must endure the public sector pay freeze.

I just thought I’d mention that.

BV

Total Cynic - who will be the last out
Colonel General Boris Gromov
Gromov was the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan, crossing on foot the
Friendship Bridge

This time?