America’s longest war is finally over…updated with State Department & United Nations Security Council
Sec Defense Austin welcomes Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy…
After twenty long, brutal and heartbreaking years, the nearly twenty year long war has ended —YES it is still August 30th in DC but in Afghanistan it is August 31, 2021. I’m not going to argue about the Biden Administration’s exit. It was sloppy. But here are the numbers by Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr;
1,000-1,500 Afghans had been flown out of the country in the last 24 hours and
in total, over the last weeks 123,000 people had been evacuated in total.
The lives lost of those US Military in Afghanistan is a debt that we can’t ever repay. These service members made the ultimate sacrifice as did their families. And we should honor their sacrifices by giving them the respect to grieve, voice their opposition and most importantly it’s our job to listen to them. No really speak less and listen more.
“I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan...The end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001." Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said
"Every single US service member is now out of Afghanistan. I can say that with 100% certainty…”
Pay close attention to what Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr says about IsisK. In layman’s terms he repeatedly stated that IsisK is now the Taliban’s problem. And if you want my unsolicited and uniformed opinion - the General is establishing a strong predicate -that the mission has now shifted to a diplomatic theater concerning the <200 Americans left behind.
IsisK is now the Taliban’s issue…
Simultaneously announcing the departure from Afghanistan the Defense Secretary also hosted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Andrii Taranto
Secretary Austin hosts an honor cordon and meeting welcoming Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Andrii Taranto to the Pentagon at 2 p.m. EDT on the steps of the River Entrance.
See Press Release found here
If you understand the complexity of Afghanistan and Russia —and yes while Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting has been on the books it is actually noteworthy. It’s a low key way of telling Putin to stand down and that the Ukraine and American and NATO forces will stand shoulder to shoulder against Putin & his little green men further evading a Sovereign State, that being Ukraine.
This is particularly important in the context of the very complex Afghanistan and Russia relationship… but after four Presidents —the twenty year war was ended under President Biden.
And listen a lot of pundits will retreat to their corners and then both the left and right will try to lay blame. The reality is no one thought that the Afghan Government would essentially give up and run away which allowed the Taliban to take over the entire country of Afghanistan.
Notwithstanding the only military I know that could evacuate >123K individuals is the US Military. And the men and women of the US Military did an amazing job considering the conditions and readiness issues that they had to work with. So no I’m not saying “good job joe” what I am saying to the United States Military is
-THANK YOU-
for everything you did to evacuate >123K+ civilians…That kind of monolithic task is why I remain convinced that the United States Military is without equal.
the Secretary of State Blinken has transferred our Diplomatic team to Qatar and he plans to notify Congress shortly…Holding Taliban to their word that any Afghani that wants to leave, that they can freely leave.
United Nations Security Council Resolution
You can read Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield remarks to the United Nations Security Council, here
First, the Security Council expects the Taliban to live up to its commitment to facilitate safe passage for Afghans and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan, whether it’s today, tomorrow, or after August 31. Consistent with the right to leave any country, including one’s own, everybody must be allowed to safely leave Afghanistan, for whatever reason, whenever they want, by air or by land…
Second, the resolution makes the Security Council’s enduring commitment to assisting those who remain in Afghanistan crystal clear. It underscores that all parties need to facilitate humanitarian assistance, and that humanitarian actors be given full, safe, and unhindered access to continue service delivery to those in need. The Afghan people are suffering not just from conflict and massive internal displacement, but also from a nationwide drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. UN agencies are warning that humanitarian needs in the coming months will be vast.
The UN Refugee Agency estimates that nearly a half million Afghans have been internally displaced this year alone. The World Food Program estimates that 14 million people in Afghanistan are at risk of starving without food assistance. And UNICEF has reported that COVID-19 vaccinations have dropped by 80 percent in recent weeks. Vital humanitarian assistance must flow to people in desperate need.
Third, the resolution reiterates in strong terms several of the Council’s enduring calls regarding the situation in Afghanistan. Today, we have spoken once again on the urgent need to tackle the serious threat of terrorism in Afghanistan. Last week’s horrific attack in Kabul demonstrated the very real threat that terrorist groups like ISIS-K pose. President Biden has made clear that we will do what’s necessary to defend our security and our people. And the entire international community is committed to ensuring that Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorism.
…also reiterated the vital importance of respect for the rights of Afghanistan’s people, including its women, girls, and minorities. We will not waver on this point. Respect for the rights of all the people of Afghanistan goes hand-in-hand with the need for parties to engage in an inclusive, negotiated settlement to bring stability to Afghanistan, which the Council also emphasizes through this resolution.
Following these events has been pretty brutal this week. It’s an emotional story. It begins with the shock and horror of 9/11 and going to war in 2 countries, one of which has nothing to do with the hunt for Bin Laden. Afghanistan is complex and filled with anguish and 20 years in with the loss of so many, it’s hard to imagine how this was going to end. The war spans 4 presidencies…yet the coverage has been rife with misinformation. As I read this, filled with the horror of losing our brave men and women this week, I am also reminded of all of those young faces I saw at Parris Island 3 plus years ago when we attended the graduation ceremonies for my son. The women’s battalion impressed me the most. Marine Corp training differed than any other. It is 13 weeks with additional survival training months after. They cover land, air and sea. They must maintain their physical fitness throughout their service as first responders. The young men and women were lovely and meeting each graduate was an honor. It hits hard when you get the privilege to witness these ceremonial graduations. They take young people as 18 year olds and mold them into men and women fit to serve. Even if you don’t support the wars, you are hit with the realization that this form of service is like no other. You become a family. Everyone’s son or daughter is now yours. You worry when they are away and worry when they are home. The loss of these marines this week was like a dagger in our hearts. My son knows of one of them men. They tell you at graduation that these men and women will travel the globe and always know a familiar face from their training programs. It’s true. I have a heavy heart for the families. I have a heavier heart over the horrible coverage that ensued and the political points made out of this withdrawal. I am so grateful that my family is safe but I am devastated by those that lost their loved ones. The callousness of Twitter exemplifies that a majority of people don’t understand that the families at home deserve better…and more respect.
Thank you for your diligence email Filey. Your work here is so valuable to those of us who want facts and not bias. It’s a safe place. It’s all here because you took the time from your busy days to help those of us who want facts. It’s a sacrifice I’m certain of. You are an angel. Sending you my blessings. I have been reading this in parts….my brain is so foggy today. ❤️Tamara
Thanks for sharing all this info in one spot. I've been pretty upset - pissed - sad about the coverage this past couple of weeks too. But then I remembered I felt the exact same emotions when Bush went from AFGH to Iraq. (I didn't want to go into AFGH but at least I understood why.) Anyway - right before Iraq invasion it was obvious the Bush Admin was lying and the media was gaslighting us. They were so into invading Iraq even Dan Rather admired the "Shock & Awe". None of my friends were as concerned as I. It was lonely. This time the media is still doing their same deference to the war machine & contractors, but my family & friends agree with me. I just stopped watching the people that wanted to keep us there forever. Anyway - when I watched the announcement this afternoon that we were OUT I smiled. I thank God that we are gone & hope that the Taliban fakes being reasonable long enough for us to get Americans, our Afghan Allies and the animals out. War is Over!!