One geopolitical observer at a D.C.-based think tank has
stated the obvious, but which has remained unsaid in mainstream media coverage:
"It’s going to be really awkward (and embarrassing) if the Taliban takes Kabul by September 11th."
To review: at least
eleven provincial capitals have now fallen to the Taliban in just a little more than a week, major cities and towns are being handed over sometimes with "hardly a shot fired" as US-trained national forces are largely in retreat, the Taliban are now a mere 90 miles from Kabul as they prepare an inevitable major offensive, they've as of Thursday entered the second largest city of Kandahar in the south, and the US is actually thinking about evacuating and shuttering its embassy. As the Biden White House engages in hand-wringing and dubious half-hearted assurances of
"no regrets" -
the Taliban appear to be living it up, posting videos of enjoying their spoils.
Multiple videos like the above are now circulating on social media, underscoring the irony and full circle nature of Washington's 20+ year long war and occupation: the trillions poured into the country's coffers often went straight to lining the pockets of corrupt Afghan officials... said officials are now in retreat and abandoning their palaces (often found in the middle of some of the poorest towns in the world), and now amid the lighting fast Taliban offensive the
bearded Islamists from the countryside are living like kings, as one report
this week observes:
After capturing yet another strategic location in Afghanistan- Zaranj, the Taliban has taken over the palace of the Governor of the province. As is evident from the exclusive video brought to you by Republic Media Network, the members of the group can be seen squatting over the plush white couch of the palace and enjoying the delicacies on silver crockery kept on the gold-plated table in front.
Biden said this week of the deteriorating security situation and the government long propped up by the United States military: "They've got to fight for themselves."
This could get awkward, and hugely embarrassing, real fast...
