For most of the weekend I sat frozen to Twitter watching for updates that the kids couldn’t understand as the Taliban overran Kabul. If you are looking for answers on how this could have happened, I suggest The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War as a good place to start. Other excellent takes come from A Letter to the Editor: Critical Afghanistan Assessment at the Small Wars Journal, Don’t Fail America’s Allies on War on the Rocks and The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan back with a bang and so much more with the Asian Times. For the most part though, I have a loss for words. The postmortem on the War in Afghanistan will probably be as contentious as the war itself.
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August 16, 2021
The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War – The Washington Post
Don’t Fail America’s Allies – War on the Rocks
Marine Raider to receive Navy Cross for Iraq fight – Marine Corps Times
U.S. Foreign Policy Restraint—What It Is, What It’s Not – The National Interest
The Long Game of Partner Warfare: Colombia and Operation Jaque – Modern War Institute
What’s the Buzz About Drones? Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary – Modern War Institute
Army Futures Command outlines next five years of AI needs – C4ISRNET
Which Kremlin Can Investors Expect? – RAND
Taliban encircling Afghan capital Kabul, prepping final assault through east – Long War Journal
Podcast: A History of Things That Didn’t Happen – Horns of Dilemma
Mind the Gap: How China’s Civilian Shipping Could Enable a Taiwan Invasion – War on the Rocks
Letter to the Editor: Critical Afghanistan Assessment – Small Wars Journal
8/15/2021 National Security and Korean News and Commentary – Small Wars Journal
Responding to China’s Unending Grey-Zone Prodding – RUSI
The Resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan – RUSI
Russia’s Battle for the Black Sea – Foreign Affairs
CNAS Responds: The Deteriorating Situation in Afghanistan, Two Weeks from Drawdown Deadline – CNAS
Five killed at chaotic Afghan airport as Taliban proclaim peace – Reuters
Profits and poppy: Afghanistan’s illegal drug trade a boon for Taliban – Reuters
Taliban report no clashes in Afghanistan day after they capture Kabul – Reuters
Taliban spokesman says “war is over in Afghanistan” – Al Jazeera – Reuters
Chaos as thousands flee Afghanistan after Taliban takeover – AP
Detainee says China has secret jail in Dubai, holds Uyghurs – AP
The Latest: China is willing to help Afghanistan rebuild – AP
Veteran opposition leader wins Zambia’s presidential race – AP
Quake injured wait for help as new disaster overwhelms Haiti – AP
Taliban advance puts Berlin under pressure – DW
Afghanistan: Taliban declare victory after President Ghani leaves Kabul — live updates – DW
Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani leaves Kabul ‘to prevent bloodshed’ – DW
Archaeologists surprised by discovery of 6th century Christian town in Egypt – Al Monitor
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan back with a bang – Asia Times
The ironical end of the war in Afghanistan – Asia Times
The root of Russia’s fears in Afghanistan – Asia Times
Will Biden’s China strategy work? – Asia Times
China’s dilemma with Afghanistan and what’s next? – Asia Times
Source says NASA astronaut did a ‘Crazy Ivan’ on ISS – Asia Times
Why Afghanistan’s security forces collapsed so quickly – Asia Times
Afghanistan Live Updates: Fear Spreads in Kabul as Taliban Take Charge – The New York Times
An Iconic Bridge Sees U.S. Allies Flee Afghanistan as Soviets Did – The New York Times
Kabul’s Sudden Fall to Taliban Ends U.S. Era in Afghanistan – The New York Times
Rushed Evacuation in Kabul Highlights Disconnect in Washington – The New York Times
Taliban Takeover Could Extinguish U.S. Influence in Kabul – The New York Times
Armenian Military Officer Killed In Latest Shoot-Out Along Azerbaijani Border – Radia Free Europe
The Taliban Seize Kabul: With Updates – Radio Free Europe
Prigozhin Propaganda? Another Movie Bathes Russian Mercenaries In A Positive Light, This Time In Eastern Ukraine – Radio Free Europe
At least 22 killed in central Nigeria attack – Africa News
Many Afghans Fear for Their Lives as Taliban Fighters Take Kabul – Foreign Policy
Taliban Declare “War Is Over” As New Regime Dawns – Foreign Policy
China Is Protecting Its Thin Corridor to the Afghan Heartland – Foreign Policy
America may pay dearly for defeat in Afghanistan – The Economist
How will the Taliban rule Afghanistan this time? – The Economist
Several Deaths Reported At Kabul Airport As Afghans Try To Cling On To Departing U.S. Jet – Forbes
Biden’s Betrayal of Afghans Will Live in Infamy – The Atlantic
Online Event: After the Fall in Afghanistan – Lawfare
Critical Success Factors to Operational Gender Mainstreaming – Grounded Curiosity
Russia to Partially Evacuate Kabul Embassy Staff After Taliban Takeover – The Moscow Times
Gaddafi’s Son Wanted Over Russian Mercenary War Crimes in Libya – BBC – The Moscow Times
In Afghanistan, Lest We Forget – Just Security
Abandoning Afghan Allies: The Latest Chapter in Shameful History of US in Afghanistan – Just Security
Taliban’s Violent Advances Augur Bleak Future for Afghan Women – United States Institute of Peace
800 People Evacuated From Kabul Aboard A Single C-17 Cargo Jet: Reports – The Drive
The Space Force Wants Nothing to Do With UFOs – Popular Mechanics
Deepfakes Are Now Making Business Pitches – Wired
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