Russia may be arming Taliban in Afghanistan

[essentialsaltes]

U.S. military officials confirmed Monday that in the last 18 months, they have seen more weaponry from Russia in the hands of Taliban fighters, including machine guns and antiaircraft machine guns. U.S. officials have been complaining that the Kremlin has interfered in Afghanistan on the Taliban’s side, but the comments Monday marked the most serious U.S. charges yet.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit Monday, said it would be a violation of international law for Russia to provide the Taliban with weapons.

 

[Andrew4jesus]

U.S. military officials confirmed Monday that in the last 18 months, they have seen more weaponry from Russia in the hands of Taliban fighters, including machine guns and antiaircraft machine guns. U.S. officials have been complaining that the Kremlin has interfered in Afghanistan on the Taliban’s side, but the comments Monday marked the most serious U.S. charges yet.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit Monday, said it would be a violation of international law for Russia to provide the Taliban with weapons.

I'm pretty sure Putin is something to do with Armageddon

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

What would Russia gain from arming the Taliban?

And also, Russian built weapons can purchased practically anywhere on the Black Market, by practically every single armed group in existence. So does that mean that Russia is arming them too?

 

[essentialsaltes]

What would Russia gain from arming the Taliban?

Revenge for the US arming the mujahideen?

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Revenge for the US arming the mujahideen?

So... Russia would arm [RETRACTED] a group that supports Islamist groups in Chechnya... for petty revenge.
Try again.

Edited. Told you I'd retract it.

 

[LivingWordUnity]

"May be" is the key part of the title, which means it's speculation or anti-Russia propaganda.

Also, does anyone remember when the Obama admin decided they weren't going to call the Taliban terrorists? Hint: It was soon after Obama released 5 Taliban leaders in exchange for Bergdahl.

 

[essentialsaltes]

So... Russia would arm a group that has ties to a group that they are fighting in Syria

The Taliban and ISIS do not really get along. And the entrance of ISIS into Afghanistan is shifting alliances.

"ISIS are believed to have somewhere between 700 and 1000 fighters in Afghanistan, and the global jihadist group has claimed credit for several high-profile attacks – but have failed to gain the local support that the Taliban has enjoyed. The Taliban, which is believed to number around 25,000 individuals, has been so successful that two of its former bitter enemies, Russia and Iran, have come to the table to "hedge their bets," according to Weinbaum."

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

The Taliban and ISIS do not really get along. And the entrance of ISIS into Afghanistan is shifting alliances.

"ISIS are believed to have somewhere between 700 and 1000 fighters in Afghanistan, and the global jihadist group has claimed credit for several high-profile attacks – but have failed to gain the local support that the Taliban has enjoyed. The Taliban, which is believed to number around 25,000 individuals, has been so successful that two of its former bitter enemies, Russia and Iran, have come to the table to "hedge their bets," according to Weinbaum."

Okay, I retract that part. But my point still stands.

 

[essentialsaltes]

"May be" is the key part of the title, which means it's speculation or anti-Russia propaganda.

Also, does anyone remember when the Obama admin decided they weren't going to call the Taliban terrorists? Hint: It was soon after Obama released 5 Taliban leaders in exchange for Bergdahl.

As far as I know, the Taliban were named a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) group in 2002 (and have been ever since). They have never been a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). So no, I don't remember that decision.

 

[wing2000]

"The head of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan said on Monday he was "not refuting" reports that Russia was providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban.

General John Nicholson was speaking in Kabul during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis."

Top U.S. general in Afghanistan sees Russia sending weapons to Taliban

 

[LivingWordUnity]

As far as I know, the Taliban were named a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) group in 2002 (and have been ever since). They have never been a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). So no, I don't remember that decision.

See the following news link:

“The White House today said that the Taliban is not a terror group, but rather an 'armed insurgency.'”

-FoxNews, Jan 28, 2015

And Obama suggested that he thought the Taliban is reformable.

At time 7:50 in the following video, Obama says, "I will say it again, the only way to end this conflict and to achieve a full drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan is through a lasting political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban. That's the only way. That is why the United States will continue to strongly support an Afghan-led reconciliation process...."

 

[Nithavela]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Operation Cyclone - Wikipedia

 

[wing2000]

"May be" is the key part of the title, which means it's speculation or anti-Russia propaganda.

Also, does anyone remember when the Obama admin decided they weren't going to call the Taliban terrorists? Hint: It was soon after Obama released 5 Taliban leaders in exchange for Bergdahl.

Full speculation by the US General in the country eh?

And since we are going down memory lane, remember when Bush pulled forces out of Afghanistan for that ill-advised adventure in Iraq?

 

[essentialsaltes]

See the following news link:

And I repeat:
As far as I know, the Taliban were named a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) group in 2002 (and have been ever since).
They have never been a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). So no, I don't remember that decision.