Why do you think the Taliban was able to regain power so quickly?

[Ad_Quid_Orator]

Because the Afghan people support them

Because they were supported by another country

[MrOracle]

Here's why: you can't change the entire culture of a country in 20 years. It would take more like 100 years - multiple generations that were taught a new culture from the beginning - before it would take hold.

If you look at Germany or Japan after WWII, we stayed in those countries for 50 years, AND they were already advanced nations with educations and science, and Germany was essentially western culture already. Japan wasn't western culture, but they were the most advanced eastern country, and understood technology, and frankly they also understood what it meant to be nuked. We allowed the emperor to remain, and the emperor told the Japanese to get on board with the new rules, and so they did (they also had a clear understanding of the advantages).

The Taliban's entire purpose is to maintain their extreme version of their religion, which includes intentionally keeping people ignorant of modern education, science, etc. The only "learning" people are to do is from the Koran. And the Taliban was NOT defeated, because we never set out to defeat them - we expected the Afghan military to do that, which was incredibly naïve and stupid. As I said, it would take multiple generations - at least 50-60 years and probably closer to 100 - to get a government and military up to a place where things could work, because their whole society works differently than it does in western countries.

For example, there is major class favoritism. A person from the upper class, regardless of ability, is always going to be put in charge, and when they're incompetent, everything they're in charge of will fall apart. In the US, a lower-ranking officer would likely take over and start making sensible decisions, but that's not their culture. What IS their culture is that raw power wins, and of course, since the Taliban have power (weapons, training, experience, and the will to kill to exert that power), the people are going to side with them, because the Taliban were always going to be there when we left unless we were willing to destroy them - and we weren't.

This is why getting involved in this kind of "regime change" war is an absolute nightmare. GW Bush didn't understand when he was told "you break it, you own it." Of course, the entire US government - both sides of the isle - supported the war because wars mean spending tons of money, and spending tons of money means you can direct a lot of money to your political friends, who will then do favors for you later. If you're a senator, and you vote to give a contractor a fat contract, you can bet that the same company will put you on the Board Of Directors once you retire from government, and hire you to speak, and hire your family, etc., and you'll end up making millions. That crap happens on both sides.

The only president in 50 years not to fall for that crap? Trump. While he stupidly authorized a bombing early on, he realized it was a mistake, and purposely kept the US out of other wars (Syria, Ukraine, etc.) despite tremendous pressure from both sides of the isle, and he started the withdrawal from Afghanistan - though he was specifically worried about the withdrawal and a Taliban takeover and planned to do things differently. Biden came in, criticized Trump for pulling out, changed all the plans, and made a big mess out of it, and is still trying to blame Trump for his own mess. It's the same old story.

[weeee]

Obama also had plans for gradual troop withdrawal if i recall correctly

[Aethereal]

- Because the US-led invasion was not to destroy the Taliban. It was to destroy Al-Qaeda which was working from Afghanistan with the Taliban's go ahead.

- When you invade a country, kill it's people, and force new values on them, like the US does in all it's invasions around the world, there will be a lot of resentment. Some people will start thinking that life might have been just a bit better before than now.

- Afghanistan is a nation used to defending against foreign invasions. It is notoriously difficult to hold and govern once conquered. Something that the British and Russians learned, but it's neighbours knew for centuries already. A conventional war is easy to win, but everyone loses the war of attrition. Strange that the US forgot this lesson taught to them by Vietnam.

- The US invasion was shoddy and not designed to hold the country anyway. When the USSR entered in the 1980s, they attempted a policy of coexistence; Uzbek and Tajik advisors who knew the culture and language were active and plentiful. The result was Afghan communist army that held its own against the US and Pakistan-backed guerillas for a few years after Soviet departure. The US military presence on the other hand, tends to operate out of green zones offering western comforts, and alienating them from the locals they seek to train, leaving them demoralized and maybe even resentful.

- Even more resentment is built among locals when it looks like the ruling government is a puppet regime installed by the invader, whose wrongdoings are overlooked. The US is famous for installing incompetent, even evil leaders in countries simply because they will be amenable to US interests. The Socialist government of the 80s was also unpopular because of the degree of influence wielded by Soviet officials in the country. The US presence is probably a reminder of that kind of vassal/colonized relationship.

- For Afghanistan, the US are the invaders, entering illegally after arrogantly making demands of a sovereign nation. They didn't come to save the people, or help in any way. They just came to pursue an agenda, and tear up the already torn up country even more. They were never going to hold the country with that kind of first impression.

[purplepoppy]

They just played the waiting game. Wars aren't won by winning battles their won by who can maintain the struggle the longest. They knew America couldn't go on spending billions of dollars, all the Taliban had to do was relax in Pakistan until they pulled out then come swarming back.

[Smashingdoozy]

They've been slowly taking over since trump started pulling soldiers last year. Once the rest were out, and the Afghan government fled it was just too easy.

[Ad_Quid_Orator]

They won this war back in 2003. Since then it wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" they would retake power. I was 13 at the time but even I could see that.

[HanSwoloRevenge]

Honestly, its multifold

1. The United States has only played a minor role in the nations for many years now
Since 2014, the peak of USA military deployment was 16,000 (and most of the time under 8,000). Most of these forces were for logistical purposes, and not for combat.
The Official Combat mission ended in 2014, when it went form ISAF, to RS.
Even from 2010 to 2014, there was a consistent drawdown (from 100,000).
So, this had effectively been an Afghan led war for well over 7 years.

2. The Afghan Government was very corruption. It is clear that much of the surrender was less to do with support of the Taliban (or strength), but instead the internal struggles of the Afghan Government.
For example, we saw cities surrendered without a fight..
At times the Afghan Military would continue fighting without leadership approval... but would then run out of resources
^ Sorry, if you don't have the leadership to give resources to the military... the resources quickly dry out.. Especially in a terrain where its difficult to get resources from place to place.

This meant that often times the Taliban didn't even have to fight to take over provinces.
The corruption, greed, and ineptness of the Afghan Government made it nearly impossible for the Afghan military to be used effectively


3. The Afghan Military itself is not a perfect machine
much of it is quite incompetent outside of the Special Forces and Air Force.
^ This is accepted by the USA leadership.
The Taliban only really feared the Afghan Special Forces (who won most of their engagements with the Taliban), and specifically targeted its leadership.. and especially the Air Force (Where it often made a big deal of targeting Air Force pilots)
The Afghan Military had the reasons to fight the Taliban
However, it was poorly led (often by YES Men to the regime, and not capable leaders)... which is attributable to previous point)... but was in the end betrayed by its leadership.



The Taliban did not take over because they were loved by the Afghan people
its quite the opposite (hence the reason of mass hysteria in the nation)
They did not take over because of strength... If anything they failed for many years to create any sort of domination... they spent most of their time losing

They failed because of the corruption and ineptness of the Afghan leadership.
Also, because of American political decisions
^ Lets be honest, Biden pulling the plug to an already difficult to deal with regime... created shockwaves...
The removal of contractors, the removal of air support..
the consistent "We are are leaving, there are no conditions" defeated the entire purpose of the peace process.

The Taliban knew there would be no USA response
The Afghan Government was self destructive...

It surrendered without much of a fight

[jshm2]

They didn't.

This has been the culmination of months of take overs in villages and towns by Taliban supporters and workers.

The US withdrew and retreated from Kabul and the Taliban took it back.

You see, the puppet government propped up by the US was inept and corrupt. It did nothing to progress and people ended up turning to the Taliban for everything from security to policing.

Those people you see in TV "running" are mostly the crooks and dreggs that the Taliban were supported against.

[On_cloud_wine]

But the U. S. spent billions on them, training them and equipping them with armor, vehicles and aircraft. Why are they not fighting back

[Kontrvnote]

They are funded by a country. I once read that the ruler and his family of this particular country funded Al Queda to carry out the 9/11 attacks as well (Maybe you can guess which country). While I can't confirm these things are 100% true, there's no reason to disagree either.

The Taliban are ruthless and actually do have a good military training. They are brainwashed so they are willing to die for their beliefs. Since the Afghan politicians are selfish and have no feelings for their own citizens, it's not a big deal for Taliban to gain power over the country.

And the biggest reason why they could gain power is because the American troops left Afghanistan.

[Bjornasey]

the USA funded 9/11

[Tommyy12]

The US didn't have a propper exist plan with contingencies in place for a possible take over. Instead, they left weapons, armoured vehicles, helicopters etc , so they basically handed the country over to the Taliban , which is why they took over this quickly. There are reports that the Taliban also have a biometric systems which has data of all the Afghans that worked with the US and they are using it at different checkpoints throughout the country. And why know what happens those people get caught.

[Miristheiss]

I work with a guy from Afghanistan. He told me that most of these fighters are foreign fighters and that many of them came in from Pakistan and have been hiding out safely there and they are being supplied from Pakistan. We announce we are leaving... yank everyone out in one fell swoop and they came storming in from PK to take advantage.

I don't know why the existing Afghan law, order & military structure is so weak.

[ChiTown33]

New regime. The Afghans are knocking each other over to suck up to the new ruling party. They can't surrender quick enough.
I only pray that if the ask for help later that the United States ignores them. They had their shot at a better life. Yet the expected the United States to hand it to them.

[EnglishEuropean]

Or did the the US try to impose Western values?

[ChiTown33]

@EnglishEuropean if by a semblance of order and education then yes. Considering how mad they are we left seems to me the like those values. .

[EnglishEuropean]

They didn't like them enough to fight for them apparently.

[ChiTown33]

@EnglishEuropean no they expected the U. S. to do it indefinitely. Youdon't comprehend very well do you.

[EnglishEuropean]

I comprehend better than the Afghans who thought Americans would be there forever. That was never plausible.

[Massageman]

Powers such as the taliban have "roots" that run very deeply. When you pluck the flower off of a dandelion, a new one takes its place in a heartbeat. Why? Very deep taproot. So it is with insurgent, terrorist groups such as the taliban. Deep roots, deep pockets, deep Soros, etc.

[Celtero]

Incompetence and low morale of the Afghan army. I suspect most afghans just don't want any trouble and will kneel for any power above them. So I don't know if "support" is the right word... but I feel like they weren't all that willing to fight them.

[TommyMountainFigure]

It's simple for me. When you have people who are opposed to fighting, they will ALWAYS be controlled by those who are pro.
Biden knew this before he pulled the troops out. The Afghan people's blood is on his hands as far as I'm concerned!

[ItsMeItsMe1989]

Blitzkrieg

Remember that word, from your world history class

"lightning war", german. They used so much force, so quickly, that they just simply overbeared the afghan army. It was just too much.

The polish people, are a very strong nation, they can fight their hearts out if they want to but, germany just came too hard too fast, for the poles to hold them back

This is nothing new. Just, noone expected it

[ChrisMaster69]

It was always going to happen.

even when full deployments were there, they had free reign away from FOBS etc.

as soon as any active patrol left, they arrived back in strength.

[Avicenna]

Changing sides (via bribery) happens all the time there

[shellaccount123]

Afghanistan is a patchwork of Muslim tribes. Barring a few major cities not much has changed in the past several centuries in Afghanistan. The locals will accept any authority that leaves them to their own devices.

[Wise4myage]

They were likely supported by another country like China. And since they knew we were pulling out, they had fighters set up in key positions all over the country.

[Thenameless1]

China definitely helped them, probably for the resources there.

[Wise4myage]

@Thenameless1 I agree.

[normalice]

Because the Afghan government was left out of exit negotiations between the trump administration and the Taliban.

[007kingifrit]

benjamin franklin once said that the American system without American values would be a suicide pact. you can't install a democracy in a non western country that doesn't share our history of enlightenment teachings

[josephinelcajon]

EVERYONE supported them, including us! They never left we trained and equipped them. Not a single shot was fired!

[Kelly6]

Because
there army didn’t want to kill their own people. And
because they forgive everyone who will drop their guns.
and because they are under guidance from Pakistan, China, and Russian.

[Kelly6]

Specially Russian took revenge on America.
In Afghan Russian war, us helped taliban defeat Russia.
Now russia helped taliban defeat America.

This was chess game of intelligence agencies

[ChubbyKing]

The Islamic State of Afghanistan was weak, following the idea to give them equal footing with the Taliban but then deciding to rush an unconditional withdrawal gave the Taliban too much leverage

[katiesmuff]

Basically because the general population of the country are cowards!

[FýrdracaDócincel]

Considering that Afghani people can't even do jumping jacks correctly, I have no fucking idea.

[FýrdracaDócincel]

Oh wait.. it was exactly BECAUSE the Afghani people can't even do jumping jacks right.

[PurpleDrank69]

The people of Afghanistan are tired of Zionist communists ruling over them and so the Taliban wins
The people do the west are the same
HALAL SNACK BAR

[crmoore]

That's like saying if white nationalists took power, then the country obviously supports white nationalism. It doesn't necessarily take a majority of a country to gain significant power.

[Bjornasey]

If the locals do not show resistance it probably means that they support them more, in effect if white nationalists or whatever that means took over, then yes the majority would be supporting them. Inaction of the of the opposite end basically means agreement.

[crmoore]

That's poor logic and a severe dilution. Certain groups use harmful tactics to gain power. A scared population does not mean a supportive population.

[Bjornasey]

We do not live in a Fairy Tale. The opinions of lower people do not matter, only those who control does. What do you mean "harmful tactics"? Nations fall and rise through deceit and cruelty. No one cares about peasants, never did, never will.

[crmoore]

You moved the goal post real quick. So you're just completely abandoning "if someone takes over, the majority would be supporting them" and now rolling with "the opinions of lower people do not matter, only those who control does. No one cares about peasants, never did, never will?"

[Bjornasey]

Of course the majority rules, it has always been so, but like any human you have to come in terms that concessions have to be made, we have a lot of policies in the west which the majority objected or had no clue was coming into force, but after 5-10 years it's irrelevant. The majority rules, but you see the majority are also NPC, and i'm talk about both sides which make up 99% of the pop.

[crmoore]

So you're going to continue on your tangent. I assume that means you realize your initial stance was indefensible?

[beefy40]

Islam is a terrible repressive religion, that's why. The Afghan men would rather rape little children and read to force the Koran on others than to fight and die for a civil liberal society where there children and family could be safe.

[SmokinAces2000]

You can’t pretty much say that for all religions

[SmokinAces2000]

Can*

[Still-alive]

because they are more experienced at fighting and have better morale.

[Still-alive]

@downvoter i mean am i wrong? how else are they able to overtake the country so fast?

[andreasderjuengere]

They are good at planning and at timing.
Didn't we learn that already on earlier occasions?

[Riebeck]

People aren't willing to die for land, but they are willing to kill for it

[Weater67]

Because this war was BS from the beginning. Because it was a looting operation and free public money for private defense contractors

[zagor]

No opposition. Seemed their advance was only limited by the speed they could drive on the Afghan roads.

[blondfrog]

Because they have no good military. Also Taliban only really primarily has connections when it comes to drugs.

[DWornock]

The didn't regain power quickly. It took them 20 years to drive out the evil USA war criminals.

[Babygirl_S]

Because they have guns and guys ready to die for 72 virgins in heaven 🌝

[ChocoBat]

Because they have too much power now and the government surrendered.

[dray995]

Lack of a stable government that can permanently put a stop to them.

[disgustingfather]

Because they were supported by another country

🤔🙄😳🧐

[REDHOTLINE]

Coz some of cuntries support them. Especially deep American goverment.

[imfreeze95]

They’ve been planning/waiting for this day for a long time and they had help.

[SuicidalGuy1]

I assume america or another super power funded them like america did with isis (did you notice isis for trucks)

[karaspara]

They never ceased to exist

[Hathor]

They live there, where just visitors

[Kelly6]

Well said

[qwert1234]

Because they have no rules.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The Taliban government is total 💩💩💩

[msc545]

Because they have always been in power there.

[888theGreat]

c, because the men are cowards

[Jerre]

It was because the Afghan Army did not fight back.

[disgustingweebtrash]

They worked with the US clearly

[BButterfly]

Thanks to Joe

[BeenThereLovedIt]

All he did was execute the agreement Trump made with them. Biden was legally bound to it. If he didn't y'all would probably be calling for his resignation for failing to do his job. He can't possibly win with you people.

[Nick473]

Not like that tho

[BeenThereLovedIt]

@Nick473 Do your homework, it is exactly so.

[Nick473]

No he wouldn't have left our citizens for dead

[BeenThereLovedIt]

@Nick473 Like who?

I keep hearing people say it, but so far nobody has really been able to articulate to me exactly what citizens we've left behind. We're still there evacuating people. I do realize that non-citizen allies are being left behind, and that's something I do believe Biden has dropped the ball on, but are we all really going to turn our backs on the president for a mistake? Perhaps there's factors that we're not aware of that is classified.. Much of what happened there is classified.

Truth is that Afghanistan is a mountain of US mistakes tracking back 20 years. Biden was damned no matter what he did, but at least he didn't punt it to the next potus like trump and obama and gwb did.

[Nick473]

I dont know them by name but that’s beside the point, we shouldn't have announced that we were withdrawing our military, now the taliban set up checkpoints and has the airport

[Diya010]

Because the Afghan people support them

[Hakkerskaldyri]

power vacuum, and they had a semblance of power

[Zygum]

Option 1

[JesseJayNeak]

Because of Joe

[googleplus]

fake news