{"id":9452,"date":"2021-04-27T15:04:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T19:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/?p=9452"},"modified":"2021-04-27T15:04:49","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T19:04:49","slug":"afghanistan-forever-and-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2021\/04\/afghanistan-forever-and-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghanistan forever and ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was too optimistic when I recently applauded President Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawa<\/a>l announcement. I failed to mention that President Trump had scheduled the withdrawal from Afganistan for May. Biden actually is delaying the final withdrawal to September. Naturally, many Afghanis consider this another American broken promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what’s more troubling to me is that it’s clear that the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies are busy tweaking<\/em> the withdrawal decision. According to the NY Times<\/a>, the withdrawal will resemble staying in all but name, “American spy agencies and Western allies are refining plans to deploy a less visible but still potent force in the region.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>In the Studio Oct. 14 2012<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Western assets will continue to surround the region, including troops from NATO member Turkey. Is the US handing the mess to the increasingly Islamist Turkey?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you noticed how confusing the reporting on Afghanistan is? Contradictions are everywhere. For example, the Times article states that Turkish troops will remain after the US withdrawal, while this NY Post article claims <\/a>that no NATO troops will stay in Afghanistan. In addition, how many troops are leaving? How many troops are there now? None of the numbers add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/span>In the Studio—10\/28\/12<\/span><\/a><\/div>

You’re not being cynical if you conclude it’s just political theatre. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I was too optimistic when I recently applauded President Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal announcement. I failed to mention that President Trump had scheduled the withdrawal from Afganistan for May. Biden actually is delaying the final withdrawal to September. Naturally, many Afghanis consider this another American broken promise. But what’s more troubling to me is that it’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":9456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[470,1],"tags":[478,476],"class_list":["post-9452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","category-uncategorized","tag-afghanistan","tag-war"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/troops1.jpg?fit=474%2C286&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9482,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2021\/05\/afgan-attacks\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":0},"title":"Afgan attacks","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"May 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, Taliban elements attacked Ghazni. Several defenders were killed and others captured. In a separate incident in Pul-e-Alam, 30 people were killed by explosions. What makes these attacks ominous is that they occurred on the day when US and NATO troops began their official withdrawal. When President Biden pushed back\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "current affairs"","block_context":{"text":"current affairs","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/current-affairs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/afgan1.jpg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/afgan1.jpg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/afgan1.jpg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11281,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2022\/09\/book-review-ink-black-heart\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":1},"title":"Book review: Ink Black Heart","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"September 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I recently listened to the audio version of the detective novel The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith. Galbraith is the pen name used by J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. This novel is the 6th and latest in this series for adults. In these novels, Galbraith chronicles the adventures\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/jkr.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/jkr.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/jkr.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/jkr.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9223,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2021\/01\/president-trump-pardon-assange\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":2},"title":"President Trump, pardon Assange","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"January 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"On President Trumps' last day in office, I've signed the petition that urges the president to pardon Assange. For more background, here's a recent NY Times article. If you want to add you voice to the petition, Google pardonassangeNow.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/assange2.jpg?fit=400%2C327&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9397,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2021\/04\/president-biden-stay-out-of-ukraine\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":3},"title":"President Biden, stay out of Ukraine","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"April 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"My biggest fear about the incoming Biden administration is becoming all too real. The current US administration seems to be hellbent on war. Ukrainian President Zelensky, by singing decree No. 117\/2021, has virtually declared war against Russia. US Secretary of Defense Austin, a former board member of Raytheon, promises unwavering\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "current affairs"","block_context":{"text":"current affairs","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/current-affairs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/biden.jpg?fit=474%2C355&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5360,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2015\/09\/american-friends-of-hebrew-university-event-in-chicago\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":4},"title":"American Friends of Hebrew University event in Chicago","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"September 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"My wife and I attended an event for American Friends of Hebrew University at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. The event, Leaders of Distinction 2015, recognized two alumni:\u00a0Steven Derringer and Steven Edelson. My wife works with Mr. Edelson, who was a student\u00a0at the university in Jerusalem during the '70's. In addition\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Bio"","block_context":{"text":"Bio","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/bio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/chi.jpg?fit=500%2C333&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9427,"url":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/2021\/04\/is-the-us-backing-down-in-ukraine\/","url_meta":{"origin":9452,"position":5},"title":"Is the US backing down in Ukraine?","author":"Tom Hudson","date":"April 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As a sign of escalating tensions, US President Biden announced sanctions against Russia and expelled several Russian diplomats today. Both sides are talking tough and hurling threats at each other. Putin, of course, promises retaliation. At the same time, the Biden Administration also announced that the two US warships en\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "current affairs"","block_context":{"text":"current affairs","link":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/category\/current-affairs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ukraine-map.jpg?fit=474%2C235&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Gw6F-2ss","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9452"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9452\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9459,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9452\/revisions\/9459"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasparkerhudson.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}