To not withdraw our military presence in Afghanistan in the most prudent way possible so that we protect American lives was one of the greatest blunders in our nation’s history. But to not immediately do everything within our capability to rescue the stranded reveals how much regard this administration has for its citizens.
One U.S. general told British special forces to stop rescuing people because it reflected badly on our military!
I understand that the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division has told the commander of the British special forces at the Kabul airport to cease operations beyond the airport perimeter.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue has told his British Army counterpart, a high-ranking field-grade officer of the British army’s 22nd Special Air Service Regiment, that British operations were embarrassing the United States military in the absence of similar U.S. military operations. I understand that the British officer firmly rejected the request.
This show of rare tension between the U.S. and British command groups in Kabul reflects three factors.
First, it shows the obvious stress of attempting to extricate thousands of personnel under a situation of increasing terrorist threat. Elements of the Haqqani network, the Islamic State in Afghanistan, and possibly al Qaeda are now operating in proximity to Kabul airport with some degree of command separation from the Taliban.
In addition, the British military has more operational latitude in Kabul than the U.S. military, including the Navy SEAL elements present at the airport. I understand that the SAS has conducted operations to bring American citizens, as well as British citizens and at-risk personnel, through checkpoints and to the airport. This is not an indictment on U.S. capabilities or special operations intent, but rather, it’s a reflection of political-military authorities. In part, this difference is understandable. Large-scale U.S. military operations beyond the Kabul airport perimeter would entail significant risk absent prior Taliban approval. But there is a sense, at least by allies, that the U.S. military could be doing more to leverage the Taliban into providing greater ease of access to the airport for those most at risk.
When former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, the man who killed Osama Bin Laden, was told of this incident he responded as one would expect.
“Look, I don’t want to be in charge but if I was, oh I want to get the Americans? Cool. Give me nine guys: I’m going to walk through the streets and I’m going to kill everyone I see and I’m going to grab the Americans,” O’Neill told “Fox News Primetime.”
“It’s not difficult. But we have these people who are in charge that are a disgrace.”
The veteran said he is “amazed that there hasn’t been at least 30 generals and admirals that haven’t resigned or been fired today.” He claimed that is because President Joe Biden is the commander-in-chief.
Calling the withdrawal from Afghanistan “nonsense,” O’Neill said he has been talking to military personnel about the situation and that “they tell me is they feel gross. And that’s how you should feel. You should feel gross. We don’t ask the Taliban permission … We kick their ass — that’s it.”
The former Navy SEAL said he is “very, very angry” because throughout his military career he “never once lost a fight.” He said when American forces meet the Taliban “face to face, we crush them.”
He urged the Biden administration to get more aggressive with the Taliban. “We don’t ask the enemy for permission. We go in there. We crush them. We win every single time. And then we leave with our people.”
Source: DailyCaller,Washington Examiner
