Taliban 'confident of victory' over Nato

[Warlord]

A spokesman for the Afghan Taliban has said it is "confident of victory" over Nato-led forces and already controls large areas of the country.

Interviewed by the BBC's John Simpson, Zabiullah Mujahed said in remote parts it was "everywhere", and foreign troops were scared to leave their bases.

He also denied any ties with candidates in the "fake" presidential elections.

But it is hard to believe the Taliban might make a comeback in Afghanistan as things stand, our correspondent says.

However, their takeover of Kabul in 1996 was unexpected, and the election of a weak, corrupt president could strengthen them, he adds.

Most Nato-led (Isaf) foreign combat forces are due to leave this year, having handed over control to the Afghan army, as combat operations are declared to be over.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25765603

 

[69360]

I concur. I think the Taliban will either retake control of the country or the government will collapse with warlords controlling their fiefdoms in the north and the Taliban controlling the south.

 

[politics]

I found interesting that there is a kind of "spokesman", so I googled it.

The New York Times made an article about this back in 2011 where interviewed analysts and NATO officials, according to them:

"There’s no way Zabiullah Mujahid could be one person,” the analyst said. “No one person could take that many calls from the media.”

In the same article:

“The facts are not really important to them,” said Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith, the former chief spokesman for NATO in Afghanistan. “They have gotten away with that for a long time, and I would argue that is their greatest weakness as the media become more sophisticated.”

An American official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to discuss intelligence matters otherwise, disputed that, however. “There’s no question these guys are not in Afghanistan,” he said. “Most of them never have been. The last time they were in Afghanistan was probably six years ago.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/asia/15zabiullah.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

 

[PierzStyx]

I concur. I think the Taliban will either retake control of the country or the government will collapse with warlords controlling their fiefdoms in the north and the Taliban controlling the south.

Which means that it'll just take a little longer for the Taliban to re-take complete control. Its what they overcame to take complete rule before, and they're mor epopular now than ever than to the US invasion.

 

[69360]

Which means that it'll just take a little longer for the Taliban to re-take complete control. Its what they overcame to take complete rule before, and they're mor epopular now than ever than to the US invasion.

Depends on if the warlords, err government ministers I think they are now, hate each other or the taliban more. It'll also be interesting to see who gets all the gear the US left with the "national army".

I'm kind of leaning toward the whole place ending up as a failed state, but you never know.

 

[oyarde]

LOL @ " spokesman for Taliban ".

 

[jkob]

They know all they have to do is wait us out, they've always known this. The sooner we leave the better.

 

[enhanced_deficit]

Why don't we stir up civil war there just before leaving?