Russia offered bounty to Afghan militants to kill US soldiers and Trump knew

[Zaydin]

The New York Times is reporting that American intelligence officials determined that the Russian government was offering bounties to Afghan militants to kill US soldiers and that Trump has known about it since March but has refused to confront Putin about it.

Given Trumps track record, when he gets asked about this, I won't be shocked if he says 'Well, I asked Putin and he says he didn't do it and I believe him'. Trump supporters will probably make excuses for it, too, even though if this had happened under Obama they would have demanded Obama be impeached and executed for it. Republicans running for election or re-election will flee from reporters when they ask about it.

Update: Russia wasn't paying the Taliban to just kill American soldiers; they were also paying them to kill UK/NATO soldiers, too.

[ohtlmtlm]

sitting on this for 4 months...
Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you what used to be the position known as "leader of the free world".

The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March

lol I wonder what baby in chief does during those meetings... I personally imagine he leans back and spins around in his chair making airplane noises

[Felya]

"The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March"

lol I wonder what baby in chief does during those meetings... I personally imagine he leans back and spins around in his chair making airplane noises

Late March? Here is early March:

Trump Says He Spoke To Taliban Leader Following Peace Agreement
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/03/81172...eace-agreement

Less than a month after Trump spoke to Taliban leaders in regards to peace agreement, they were getting paid by Russia to attack US troops. They are playing Trump like... uhm... something that is easy to play... easier than fiddle...

[Machismo]

It's funny, because it's not the least bit surprising. Sure, it shows Trump doesn't give a shit about American troops... but we already knew that.

[Ripster42]

Less than a month after Trump spoke to Taliban leaders in regards to peace agreement, they were getting paid by Russia to attack US troops. They are playing Trump like... uhm... something that is easy to play... easier than fiddle...

Recorder. No no, still too hard. Kazoo.

[Easo]

There are two implications:

1. Trump is even worse than people may have thought.
2. Russia has zero ability to think ahead. What happens if USA fully leaves Afghanistan? Tajikistan and others will not be able to stop the almost guaranteed flow of terrorists going north to Russia.

[Ashnazg]

There are two implications:

1. Trump is even worse than people may have thought.
2. Russia has zero ability to think ahead. What happens if USA fully leaves Afghanistan? Tajikistan and others will not be able to stop the almost guaranteed flow of terrorists going north to Russia.

Which terrorists? Taliban has no interest in conducting operations into Russia, and they're at war with ISIS (to the extent that it still exists). The constant destabilizing activity by USA around Russian borders is what increases the flow of terrorists to their lands, not the other way around.

[Paranoid Android]

As I posted on other thread the faux patriotism and pearl clutching if any other President did this. Well let's face if it was a Democrat.

[Easo]

Which terrorists? Taliban has no interest in conducting operations into Russia, and they're at war with ISIS (to the extent that it still exists). The constant destabilizing activity by USA around Russian borders is what increases the flow of terrorists to their lands, not the other way around.

How unaware you are of the history between Russia and radical islamists? Starting with the invasion of Afghanistan, then Chechen Wars, the terror acts during that period and the pacification operations afterwards, then the mass influx of fighers from Caucasus into ISIS?

[Ashnazg]

How unaware you are of the history between Russia and radical islamists? Starting with the invasion of Afghanistan, then Chechen Wars, the terror acts during that period and the pacification operations afterwards, then the mass influx of fighers from Caucasus into ISIS?

I am pretty aware of their history. However, Taliban's involvement in the Chechen wars is indirect - essentially what amounts to financial aid and military training to the terrorists there.

Other than that indirect support, Taliban are pretty isolationist.

There's not really a good solution here, since USA is incapable of winning a war in Afghanistan and actually stabilizing that country.

[Thekri]

I am pretty aware of their history. However, Taliban's involvement in the Chechen wars is indirect - essentially what amounts to financial aid and military training to the terrorists there.

Other than that indirect support, Taliban are pretty isolationist.

There's not really a good solution here, since USA is incapable of winning a war in Afghanistan and actually stabilizing that country.

But their war with Russia was very direct and very memorable. The Taliban has a massive bone to pick with Russia, and they are close allies with both Chechnya and Uyghur Rebel groups. Yes, Russia is dealing with them now. Enemy of my Enemy and all that, but a Taliban owned Afghanistan is not likely to be pleasant prospect for either Russia or China.

[cubby]

The New York Times is reporting that American intelligence officials determined that the Russian government was offering bounties to Afghan militants to kill US soldiers and that Trump has known about it since March but has refused to confront Putin about it.

Given Trumps track record, when he gets asked about this, I won't be shocked if he says 'Well, I asked Putin and he says he didn't do it and I believe him'. Trump supporters will probably make excuses for it, too, even though if this had happened under Obama they would have demanded Obama be impeached and executed for it. Republicans running for election or re-election will flee from reporters when they ask about it.

Yet another fully impeachable offense, just cast aside amongst the horror that is the Residency of Donald J. Trump. Must be a day ending in "y".

[Shalcker]

But their war with Russia was very direct and very memorable. The Taliban has a massive bone to pick with Russia, and they are close allies with both Chechnya and Uyghur Rebel groups. Yes, Russia is dealing with them now. Enemy of my Enemy and all that, but a Taliban owned Afghanistan is not likely to be pleasant prospect for either Russia or China.

There are no better options though.

And getting mining rights from Taliban once they are recognized still can work for both.

Edit: Also, technically title should be "GRU offered bounty". Possibly because of similar bounties done by CIA in Syria.

[Logwyn]

The New York Times is reporting that American intelligence officials determined that the Russian government was offering bounties to Afghan militants to kill US soldiers and that Trump has known about it since March but has refused to confront Putin about it.

Given Trumps track record, when he gets asked about this, I won't be shocked if he says 'Well, I asked Putin and he says he didn't do it and I believe him'. Trump supporters will probably make excuses for it, too, even though if this had happened under Obama they would have demanded Obama be impeached and executed for it. Republicans running for election or re-election will flee from reporters when they ask about it.

Should the US just declare war then? What would the next steps be?

[Xarkan]

Edit: Also, technically title should be "GRU offered bounty". Possibly because of similar bounties done by CIA in Syria.

I fail to see the difference, if the cia does something it is on the US, if GRU does something it is on Russia

Edit: This assumes that the GRU is not acting against the governments directives and intentions

[Shalcker]

I fail to see the difference, if the cia does something it is on the US, if GRU does something it is on Russia

Edit: This assumes that the GRU is not acting against the governments directives and intentions

Why is US still in Afghanistan anyway? Didn't they pull back ages ago?

Secret services taking shots at each other through proxies like islamic militants is nothing new.

Nor is it particularly outrageous. Those militants already want to kill Americans on their soil most of the time.

[Zaydin]

Yet another fully impeachable offense, just cast aside amongst the horror that is the Residency of Donald J. Trump. Must be a day ending in "y".

So what excuses do you think Republicans will make to avoid condemning Trump for this? Safest bet is the old "I haven't seen enough to comment" crap while rushing past reporters so that they can ignore reporters trying to inform them of what Trump did.

You would think something like this would be too far for even Republicans to defend, though, if Trump has been sitting on this for months.

[Felya]

Well, the opinion of the GOP is that American Intelligence agencies are deep state Democrat institutions, so anything they explain will be dismissed as a hoax.

No, it’s not. Muller him self is a republican... You mean to say the excuse Trump uses to cover up his bullshit, is that Americans are out to get him. It’s something we have seen for years. Trump groveling before Mexico, North Korea, Russia and China, because mean Americans are investigating him. Trump didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on Trump...

- - - Updated - - -

You would think something like this would be too far for even Republicans to defend, though, if Trump has been sitting on this for months.

It is... that’s why nothing will be said. Those that do say something, will be met with the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ tag...

[tehealadin]

Yet another fully impeachable offense, just cast aside amongst the horror that is the Residency of Donald J. Trump. Must be a day ending in "y".

Sadly I don't think it matters. I don't know where the line is for this man. Or if there even is one.

[Xarkan]

Why is US still in Afghanistan anyway? Didn't they pull back ages ago?

Secret services taking shots at each other through proxies like islamic militants is nothing new.

Nor is it particularly outrageous. Those militants already want to kill Americans on their soil most of the time.

I have not claimed it is "new"

It is your desire to magic in a canyon between Russia and GRU i question