Russia 'arming the Afghan Taliban', says US

[DonViejo]

Source: BBC




Justin Rowlatt
South Asia correspondent
@BBCJustinR

Russia is supporting and even supplying arms to the Taliban, the head of US forces in Afghanistan has told the BBC.

In an exclusive interview, Gen John Nicholson said he'd seen "destabilising activity by the Russians."

He said Russian weapons were smuggled across the Tajik border to the Taliban, but could not say in what quantity. Russia has denied such US allegations in the past, citing a lack of evidence.

But the new claims come at a sensitive time in Russia's ties with Nato powers.

Britain and Russia are locked in a dispute over claims that Russia was behind an attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on UK soil using a deadly nerve agent.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43500299

[Docreed2003]

1. Glad this is starting to get broader coverage

Russia has been doing this for years and has yet to be called out for it...it's like they're playing the role of Russian Charlie Wilson!

[still_one]

2. My thoughts on the irony of this exactly

[bucolic_frolic]

3. The New Age of War is going to be so exciting!

Trade war, Iran war, Afghan war, nuclear war ... Trump and Bolton will get us going!!

MAGA! Winning is so good - even if we're all dead!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. Define irony.......

It was the Russians who created the Mujahadeen in 1980 to 1988.

The Mujahadeen was supported by US arms. After Russia left Afghanistan in 1988 in defeat, they became the Taliban.

The Taliban became enemies of the U S. Now Russia is supporting the Taliban?Talk about ironic.

[mpcamb]

5. Will those flag-pin-wearing Republicans call for sanctions now?

Nothing says "enemy" clearer than buying guns for the Taliban.

[Turbineguy]

6. It's OK though.

Reagan said they were like the Founding Fathers.

[Oneironaut]

8. I always laugh when Im reminded that Rambo 3 is dedicated to the Taliban...

Russia seems to be getting swept up in the same jingoistic ferver that the US was in the 80’s.

[Oneironaut]

7. Foolish. The same stupid mistake we made / are making.

You can’t use radicals as an attack dog. They’ll turn on you in a second and kill you with your own weapons. We, and Russia apparently, are like the idiot that keeps burning themselves on the lit stove because “it’ll be different next time!”

[Bradical79]

9. Maybe we should all stop giving weapons to these people

It tends to not work out well.

[FakeNoose]

11. Now there's an idea!

[IronLionZion]

10. I'm sure Bolton will advise our president with an insane solution to this problem

[Crowman2009]

12. How long before cheetoh-face baby hands does a backpeddle?

Probably until he gets a call from his boss about a certain tape.

[Devil Child]

13. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

This should not surprise anyone, Putin has the chance to inflict on the US what we did to the Soviet Union during their occupation of Afghanistan. Irony.

We should probably start a timer on the Gen Nicholson's career. People who speak negatively of Russia have no future in Trump's admin.