Was a US attack on the Taliban been in the works since July?
September 18, 2001 12:11 PM Subscribe
Was a US attack on the Taliban been in the works since July? According to this BBC article, the US had been planning a "military action", for the end of October, since mid July. The plan was to invade Afghanistan,oust the Taliban, and install a moderate government, possibly under former king Zahir Shah. Are the attacks last week simply going to legitimize this pre-existing plan? Or am I simply being too paranoid?
Just because you're paranoid, does not mean they aren't out to get you.
posted by adampsyche at 12:22 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by adampsyche at 12:22 PM on September 18, 2001
What a fascinating development. So we have most of the plans ready. Most of the international support ready. And yet another reason to do this. Wonderful.
posted by revbrian at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by revbrian at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2001
It's not exactly news that the Taliban were generally our enemies well before 9.11, both for being just about the most grotesque violators of basic human rights on the planet today and for providing protection to bin Laden, who was unquestionably already our enemy before 9.11.
posted by aaron at 12:25 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by aaron at 12:25 PM on September 18, 2001
Also, I am sure that there are miltary plans being drawn up continuously for various possible conflicts all over the world. Whatever plan was made before probably needs to be changed for the current circumstances.
posted by stchang at 12:38 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by stchang at 12:38 PM on September 18, 2001
We pay our military folks to think about things. Bin Laden has been a thorn in our side for years; it wouldn't surprise me a bit of war planners hadn't drawn up contingency plans for his removal.
Thinking about it and actually planning to do it are two different things, and I think our military folks knew that an invasion of Afghanistan (at least prior to this gross provocation) would have been madness. Especially with a Muslim nuclear power (Pakistan) next door.
God help us all if we start letting journalists dictate our defense policy.
posted by mrmanley at 12:40 PM on September 18, 2001
Thinking about it and actually planning to do it are two different things, and I think our military folks knew that an invasion of Afghanistan (at least prior to this gross provocation) would have been madness. Especially with a Muslim nuclear power (Pakistan) next door.
God help us all if we start letting journalists dictate our defense policy.
posted by mrmanley at 12:40 PM on September 18, 2001
A single source story, and the source is a former foreign secretary. In a government which has provided so much support to the Taliban why was George Arney unable to confirm this? I would think there would be numerous Pakistani officials anxious to leak this to the BBC, and I doubt a US official whispered the plan into Mr. Naik's ear. This is weak reporting.
My question is why July? What happened in July that would make such a plan come about? Without confirmation and motive, I think we can push this into the unsubstantiated rumor pile.
posted by username at 12:42 PM on September 18, 2001
My question is why July? What happened in July that would make such a plan come about? Without confirmation and motive, I think we can push this into the unsubstantiated rumor pile.
posted by username at 12:42 PM on September 18, 2001
that first article is sort of lacking...no other sources besides one former diplomat? Smacks of hear-say journalism. Especially the part about the russians having 17,000 troops on standby to help or something.
posted by th3ph17 at 12:43 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by th3ph17 at 12:43 PM on September 18, 2001
Bush got pissed that he'd just paid the Taliban $43 million bucks for eradicating the poppy crops they'd lived off for years?
posted by mikel at 12:44 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by mikel at 12:44 PM on September 18, 2001
Uhhhh, folks, the source for this is one former Pakistani official. I'm not saying Mr. Naik is wrong or lying in the strict sense, but I hope you'll forgive me if I take this with a grain of salt.
posted by Wulfgar! at 12:44 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by Wulfgar! at 12:44 PM on September 18, 2001
Wow, King Zahir Shah was only 19 when he first took over the throne of Afghanistan.
19 yr. olds here are still fighting over the scale of hotness between Christina and Britney.
Legal Stuff: Christina and Britney are used just as an example. No malice or pun is intended. I dont have a lawyer and will immediately file for bankruptcy if a law suit is filed against me.
posted by adnanbwp at 12:58 PM on September 18, 2001
19 yr. olds here are still fighting over the scale of hotness between Christina and Britney.
Legal Stuff: Christina and Britney are used just as an example. No malice or pun is intended. I dont have a lawyer and will immediately file for bankruptcy if a law suit is filed against me.
posted by adnanbwp at 12:58 PM on September 18, 2001
Yeah, great, because installing "moderate" governments has worked so well in the past...
posted by harrycaul at 1:04 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by harrycaul at 1:04 PM on September 18, 2001
<.sarcasm>As a US 19-year old, I am very offended and believe that I am more than qualified to run a government. Besides, Britney is so much hotter than Christina. And she's a virgin too!
<./sarcasm>
posted by rorycberger at 1:06 PM on September 18, 2001
<./sarcasm>
posted by rorycberger at 1:06 PM on September 18, 2001
Feel free to have your doubts, but personally I don't reckon this story is all that far-fetched. America has already said that even if bin Laden were to surrender, it would still attack the Taliban. America and the UK have both trumpeted a "War on Terrorism", even though terrorists quite clearly live in every country in the world. An American official today also said that Iraq may soon also face US wrath, not because they were involved in the WTC disaster, but basically just because.
While of course I'm not suggesting there's any dark conspiracy connecting Western governments to the WTC attack, I think it's reasonable to expect that America was gearing up for a showdown with the Taliban (and/or other Middle Eastern nations) sooner or later. Now seems like a perfect time.
posted by skylar at 1:08 PM on September 18, 2001
While of course I'm not suggesting there's any dark conspiracy connecting Western governments to the WTC attack, I think it's reasonable to expect that America was gearing up for a showdown with the Taliban (and/or other Middle Eastern nations) sooner or later. Now seems like a perfect time.
posted by skylar at 1:08 PM on September 18, 2001
And she's a virgin too!
Virgins are typically not very good lays. The just don't know what to do. And you always end up pinning her hair under an elbow.
I'll take Ms. Aguilera, thanks very much.
posted by UncleFes at 1:16 PM on September 18, 2001
Virgins are typically not very good lays. The just don't know what to do. And you always end up pinning her hair under an elbow.
I'll take Ms. Aguilera, thanks very much.
posted by UncleFes at 1:16 PM on September 18, 2001
I can't see something of this magnitude being kept secret. It is just too big, and the loss of human life too large. The FBI, CIA, and other agencies would have to have been aware of it, and I can't see 100% of them allowing this act to rest upon their conscience.
posted by da5id at 1:32 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by da5id at 1:32 PM on September 18, 2001
Bush got pissed that he'd just paid the Taliban $43 million bucks for eradicating the poppy crops they'd lived off for years?
Some of you folks really need to start researching information before blindly standing behind links sent your way. The Bush administration sent Afghanistan 43 Million Dollars in May, yes. For HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS. A good chunk of it was in the form of food. And this is hardly different from the 60 Million Clinton sent them LAST year.
posted by glenwood at 1:35 PM on September 18, 2001
Some of you folks really need to start researching information before blindly standing behind links sent your way. The Bush administration sent Afghanistan 43 Million Dollars in May, yes. For HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS. A good chunk of it was in the form of food. And this is hardly different from the 60 Million Clinton sent them LAST year.
posted by glenwood at 1:35 PM on September 18, 2001
Glenwood, please show me the proof that *your* interpretation of events re: the $43 million is any more correct than anyone else's. I've seen the $43 million drugs payment reported by at least one respected news source. Can't trust a US Government denial alone- I'd need an additional piece of evidence. It would be great to get to the bottom of this particular controversy once and for all.
posted by skylar at 1:45 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by skylar at 1:45 PM on September 18, 2001
I'm continually shocked at just how naive people can be. It seems some people will believe anything they read in the media, regardless of how ridiculous it is. Especially at times like this, its important to look at the information we receive with a skeptical eye. So I ask you, do you guys REALLY think Brittany Spears is a virgin? Come on.
posted by Doug at 2:23 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by Doug at 2:23 PM on September 18, 2001
We pay our military folks to think
i thought we paid them to do as they're told.
posted by tolkhan at 2:28 PM on September 18, 2001
i thought we paid them to do as they're told.
posted by tolkhan at 2:28 PM on September 18, 2001
ah, re: Britney vs. Christina, you can have them both. i'll take this one.
posted by tolkhan at 2:35 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by tolkhan at 2:35 PM on September 18, 2001
Hmm. Topple the Taleban, take out bin Laden and install a moderate government under the former king? I've got no objections...
posted by tomorama at 3:58 PM on September 18, 2001
posted by tomorama at 3:58 PM on September 18, 2001
This isn't anything new. Roosevlet knew that Pearl Harbor was coming and used it as an excuse to get into WW2, after all.
I guess this really is another Pearl Harbor...
Damn it, why can't the government actually work in favor of peace once in a while?
posted by Theiform at 4:45 PM on September 18, 2001
I guess this really is another Pearl Harbor...
Damn it, why can't the government actually work in favor of peace once in a while?
posted by Theiform at 4:45 PM on September 18, 2001
And you always end up pinning her hair under an elbow.
ROTFLMAO Thanks for the laugh. :)
posted by rushmc at 5:01 PM on September 18, 2001
ROTFLMAO Thanks for the laugh. :)
posted by rushmc at 5:01 PM on September 18, 2001
Roosevlet knew that Pearl Harbor was coming and used it as an excuse to get into WW2, after all.
maybe not
posted by rebeccablood at 5:36 PM on September 18, 2001
maybe not
posted by rebeccablood at 5:36 PM on September 18, 2001
Tolkhan: You'll take Robbie Williams
uh. maybe. unless you know something i don't (he's not a woman is he?).
Roosevlet knew that Pearl Harbor was coming... maybe not
FDR was a puppet of the Girl Scouts. he may not have had forewarning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but i'll bet his cookie-peddling masters did. they probably orchestrated the whole thing.
posted by tolkhan at 8:09 AM on September 19, 2001
uh. maybe. unless you know something i don't (he's not a woman is he?).
Roosevlet knew that Pearl Harbor was coming... maybe not
FDR was a puppet of the Girl Scouts. he may not have had forewarning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but i'll bet his cookie-peddling masters did. they probably orchestrated the whole thing.
posted by tolkhan at 8:09 AM on September 19, 2001
The Bush administration sent Afghanistan 43 Million Dollars in May, yes. For HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS.
Yes, but did he give that money to the Taliban to distribute to the people? I'm sure those in power had some good meals on it while the poppy farmers starved, and the whole effort barely made a dent in our hallowed drug war.
posted by faunafrailty at 10:19 AM on September 19, 2001
Yes, but did he give that money to the Taliban to distribute to the people? I'm sure those in power had some good meals on it while the poppy farmers starved, and the whole effort barely made a dent in our hallowed drug war.
posted by faunafrailty at 10:19 AM on September 19, 2001
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posted by rebeccablood at 12:18 PM on September 18, 2001