Discussion: Afghanistan/The Taliban
- Thread starter MessiahDecoy123
- Start date
CIA sees early signs of al-Qaeda regrouping in Afghanistan, says US official
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 BY JOSEPH FITSANAKIS 1 COMMENT
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ARE noticing early signs that al-Qaeda may be regrouping in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to the deputy director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The presence of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was the primary reason behind the invasion of the country by the United States in 2001. In subsequent years, the militant group, which was behind the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, suffered heavy losses, and saw its members disperse across the region. Many others were captured or killed.
Now, however, with the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, there are concerns that al-Qaeda may make a comeback in the war-torn country. Under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda worked closely with the upper echelons of the Taliban in the 1990s and early 2000s. Contacts between the two groups continue to exist, and could potentially deepen following the exit of the United States and its Western allies from Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, David Cohen, who serves as deputy director of the CIA, said that American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Speaking at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, DC, Cohen acknowledged that the shuttering of the United States embassy in Kabul, as well as the closure of a network of CIA stations across Afghanistan, had “diminished” the ability of American intelligence agencies to assess conditions on the ground. He added, however, that current intelligence reports indicate “some potential motion of al-Qaeda [returning] to Afghanistan”.
Cohen added that much of the intelligence that has been collected in recent weeks comes from “over-the-horizon platforms”, meaning that the collection is taking place from countries that border Afghanistan. However, the CIA in particular is already working to develop “methods to work within the horizon”, he said. At the moment, the United States intelligence community estimates that it could take al-Qaeda between one and two years to amass its former strike capability, so as to directly threaten American interests.
intelNews.org | Expert news and commentary on intelligence, espionage, spies and spying
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 BY JOSEPH FITSANAKIS 1 COMMENT
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ARE noticing early signs that al-Qaeda may be regrouping in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to the deputy director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The presence of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was the primary reason behind the invasion of the country by the United States in 2001. In subsequent years, the militant group, which was behind the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, suffered heavy losses, and saw its members disperse across the region. Many others were captured or killed.
Now, however, with the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, there are concerns that al-Qaeda may make a comeback in the war-torn country. Under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda worked closely with the upper echelons of the Taliban in the 1990s and early 2000s. Contacts between the two groups continue to exist, and could potentially deepen following the exit of the United States and its Western allies from Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, David Cohen, who serves as deputy director of the CIA, said that American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Speaking at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington, DC, Cohen acknowledged that the shuttering of the United States embassy in Kabul, as well as the closure of a network of CIA stations across Afghanistan, had “diminished” the ability of American intelligence agencies to assess conditions on the ground. He added, however, that current intelligence reports indicate “some potential motion of al-Qaeda [returning] to Afghanistan”.
Cohen added that much of the intelligence that has been collected in recent weeks comes from “over-the-horizon platforms”, meaning that the collection is taking place from countries that border Afghanistan. However, the CIA in particular is already working to develop “methods to work within the horizon”, he said. At the moment, the United States intelligence community estimates that it could take al-Qaeda between one and two years to amass its former strike capability, so as to directly threaten American interests.
intelNews.org | Expert news and commentary on intelligence, espionage, spies and spying
Sithborg
Pretty in pink
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 42,502
- Reaction score
- 35,857
- Points
- 118
So, the Afghanistan Papers is going to be a slow read. I am going to have to put it down occaisionally, or I am going to throw my nook at something.
First chapter. Afghanistan fell much, much faster than they anticipated. Which seems to be a common through line with Afghanistan it seems.
First chapter. Afghanistan fell much, much faster than they anticipated. Which seems to be a common through line with Afghanistan it seems.
KRYPTON INC.
Incorporated Kryptonian
- Joined
- May 23, 2013
- Messages
- 85,991
- Reaction score
- 41,564
- Points
- 103
You can always roll your armed forces INTO Afghanistan... It's rolling them out relatively in once piece that's always been the real trick.
Sithborg
Pretty in pink
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 42,502
- Reaction score
- 35,857
- Points
- 118
Yeah, the Afghanistan Papers are going to be an infuriating read.
Another parallel between the first 3 months of the war to the last 3 months, when setting up talks for the post-Taliban government, we had a chance to include the Taliban, likely leading to peace among the factions and halt most of their resistance. Similar to how Trump shut out the Afghan government in the last peace talks.
Another parallel between the first 3 months of the war to the last 3 months, when setting up talks for the post-Taliban government, we had a chance to include the Taliban, likely leading to peace among the factions and halt most of their resistance. Similar to how Trump shut out the Afghan government in the last peace talks.
KRYPTON INC.
Incorporated Kryptonian
- Joined
- May 23, 2013
- Messages
- 85,991
- Reaction score
- 41,564
- Points
- 103
They just rubber and from faux outrage to faux outrage don't they?
MagnarTheGreat
Web Ninja
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 37,551
- Reaction score
- 21,149
- Points
- 103
InCali
My Buddy - Max the Dog
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
- Messages
- 28,421
- Reaction score
- 18,178
- Points
- 103
InCali
My Buddy - Max the Dog
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
- Messages
- 28,421
- Reaction score
- 18,178
- Points
- 103
Man, that place is turning into a complete Cluster.....
Sithborg
Pretty in pink
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 42,502
- Reaction score
- 35,857
- Points
- 118
It has been a cluster since we invaded.
chamber-music
Infinity Ammo
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2005
- Messages
- 37,298
- Reaction score
- 3,197
- Points
- 103
It was a cluster before we invaded. The west just threw a grenade on an already burning dumster fire.
Things will probably get worst in Afghanistan since the western aid was essentially keeping their economy alive. China wants to invest but that won't happen over night.
MagnarTheGreat
Web Ninja
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 37,551
- Reaction score
- 21,149
- Points
- 103
There's been attacks for a long time. The foreign occupation and weak government there never stopped them all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_attacks_in_Kabul
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_attacks_in_Kabul
Specifically, its been a dumpster fire since the communist coup in 1978.
MagnarTheGreat
Web Ninja
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 37,551
- Reaction score
- 21,149
- Points
- 103
MagnarTheGreat
Web Ninja
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 37,551
- Reaction score
- 21,149
- Points
- 103
Similar threads
Users who are viewing this thread
Staff online
-
SwordOfMorningSuper Moderator -
DKDetectiveElementary, Dear Robin (he/him) -
Lily Adler#forthecontent! 📹 (she/her)
