Selling U.S. weapons has become a booming business in Afghanistan. From Kabul to Kandahar and smaller cities and towns in between, war booty is available to anyone off the street.
Among the enormous stock left behind are the items that once equipped Afghan security forces. For years, it remained an open secret that the gamble to equip Afghanistan's army and police was a farce.
A Cascading Collapse
Some local forces fought bravely for the U.S.-backed government during the Taliban's final offensive. Still, more lay down their arms, defected or capitulated from a sense of helplessness brought on by years of corruption.
Fearing the worst, soldiers and police officers began selling their equipment as soon as the Taliban launched its summer offensive.
According to The New York Times, dozens of Afghans have opened gun shops after buying U.S. weaponry the Taliban regime deemed unessential. These include small arms, binoculars and night vision goggles. Significantly, one arms dealer said that dealers had even sold anti-aircraft guns.
The National Interest adds:
Of course, it isn't just the guns and military hardware that is now for sale. In local markets, everything from construction material to metal trays that were salvaged from former Afghan military bases is being offered for sale. Then there are the Humvees, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and at least one functioning Black Hawk helicopter offered for sale.
It is likely that some of these weapons will find their way to militias as well as terrorist groups. Some may have ties to the Taliban, while others could use the caches of firearms and equipment in the potentially impending civil war.
Ironically, the Taliban claims to have closely monitored and inventoried its U.S.-made war chest. Henceforth, the United States needs to do a better job of this to keep its supplies from going to waste.
U.S. Weapons Flooding the Streets
Some gun merchants have run U.S. equipment to neighboring Pakistan where the demand is also strong. Shopkeepers there have placed placards outside their stores, saying “Ameriki Fauj Ka Maal-e-Ganimat” (war booty from U.S. Army).
Meanwhile, ret. U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who commanded United States Central Command from 2016-2019, told Reuters that most the high-end weapons the Taliban seized had sensitive U.S. technology removed. Yet critics convincingly argue even inoperable equipment will give adversaries like China a window into our capabilities.
In contrast, some officials don't believe any weapons the Taliban shares with China will reveal secrets. They argue Beijing has already acquired them.
The consequences of the Afghanistan withdrawal have gravely damaged President Biden.
As a candidate, he successfully portrayed himself as a steady hand amid chaos. Most voters don't feel like they've seen much of that lately.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
American-Made Weapons Flood Afghan Gun Shops
Will Trump Dump JD Vance?
ANALYSIS – Is Trump regretting his VP pick? Will Trump tell Vance he is “fired”? When former President Donald Trump selected J.D. Vance as his vice presidential candidate soon after surviving an assassination attempt, some called the choice bold and a doubling down on Trumpism.
I said he could help Trump make his case in 2024 and be the GOP standard bearer in 2028. Still, I also said I would have preferred Trump had picked a woman, and that I had some reservations about Vance as VP, including his youth and inexperience.
Fox News’ Kilmeade Fires Back At Racism Allegations
Trump’s ‘Dying Wish’ Exposed – What He Wants If Assassinated
Kamala Harris ‘Owns’ All Of Biden’s Many National Security Failures
Does This Single Fact Signal Our Imminent Financial Collapse?
Selling U.S. weapons has become a booming business in Afghanistan. From Kabul to Kandahar and smaller cities and towns in between, war booty is available to anyone off the street.
Among the enormous stock left behind are the items that once equipped Afghan security forces. For years, it remained an open secret that the gamble to equip Afghanistan's army and police was a farce.
A Cascading Collapse
Some local forces fought bravely for the U.S.-backed government during the Taliban's final offensive. Still, more lay down their arms, defected or capitulated from a sense of helplessness brought on by years of corruption.
Fearing the worst, soldiers and police officers began selling their equipment as soon as the Taliban launched its summer offensive.
According to The New York Times, dozens of Afghans have opened gun shops after buying U.S. weaponry the Taliban regime deemed unessential. These include small arms, binoculars and night vision goggles. Significantly, one arms dealer said that dealers had even sold anti-aircraft guns.
The National Interest adds:
Ironically, the Taliban claims to have closely monitored and inventoried its U.S.-made war chest. Henceforth, the United States needs to do a better job of this to keep its supplies from going to waste.
U.S. Weapons Flooding the Streets
Some gun merchants have run U.S. equipment to neighboring Pakistan where the demand is also strong. Shopkeepers there have placed placards outside their stores, saying “Ameriki Fauj Ka Maal-e-Ganimat” (war booty from U.S. Army).
Meanwhile, ret. U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who commanded United States Central Command from 2016-2019, told Reuters that most the high-end weapons the Taliban seized had sensitive U.S. technology removed. Yet critics convincingly argue even inoperable equipment will give adversaries like China a window into our capabilities.
In contrast, some officials don't believe any weapons the Taliban shares with China will reveal secrets. They argue Beijing has already acquired them.
The consequences of the Afghanistan withdrawal have gravely damaged President Biden.
As a candidate, he successfully portrayed himself as a steady hand amid chaos. Most voters don't feel like they've seen much of that lately.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Patrick Houck
Will Trump Dump JD Vance?
Search
follow us
subscribe
Trending Stories
Will Trump Dump JD Vance?
ANALYSIS – Is Trump regretting his VP pick? WillBacklash Grows As Harley-Davidson Infected With Woke Virus
ANALYSIS – Say it isn’t so! Even asProject 2025 Will Return Sanity To Our Woke Military
ANALYSIS – “I disagree with some of the thingsNew Impeachment Investigation Launched Into Allegations Hunter Biden Invoked Joe’s Name
Congressional investigators are looking into further allegations againstCommentary
Will Trump Dump JD Vance?
Kamala Harris ‘Owns’ All Of Biden’s Many National Security Failures
Does This Single Fact Signal Our Imminent Financial Collapse?
Smoke Shop Shooting: 71-Year-Old Stops Armed Burglar
Security
Trump’s ‘Dying Wish’ Exposed – What He Wants If Assassinated
Kamala Harris ‘Owns’ All Of Biden’s Many National Security Failures
US Support For Israel In Its War Must Be ‘Ironclad’
US Fighters Intercept Chinese And Russian Bombers Near Alaska
Foreign Affairs
Trump’s ‘Dying Wish’ Exposed – What He Wants If Assassinated
Attacks Disrupt Paris: Major Infrastructure Targeted Hours Before Olympic Games
US Fighters Intercept Chinese And Russian Bombers Near Alaska
Disruptions Linger After IT Update Crashes Computer Systems Worldwide
Business & economics
Does This Single Fact Signal Our Imminent Financial Collapse?
Elon’s ‘Final Straw’ To Cost California Millions
Meet The Man Who Tracks Pelosi’s Investments – Guess His Earnings Last Month?
Congress Investigating Whether Woke Activists Broke Federal Tax Law With ESG Investment Schemes
heath & science
Old School Sold For Next To Nothing To Planned Parenthood
Elon Musk On Estranged Child: ‘Killed By The Woke Mind Virus’
Congressman Claims Biden Didn’t Recognize Him Despite Their Friendship
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Succumbs To Pancreatic Cancer
American Liberty Arms
Trump Shooter Put in Range Time Weeks Before Assassination Attempt
Armed Georgia Man And A Labradoodle Capture Inmate
More Anti-Gun Groups Fabricating Mass Shooting Data
The Truck Gun For Active Killer Interdiction: Realistic?
At American Liberty News, we eschew the mainstream media’s tightly controlled narrative to provide our readers with real news, real insights, and the means to take action. We seek out insightful coverage – and partner with knowledgeable and experienced people and organizations to bring you the information and insight our readers demand.
We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
TOP TAGS
TOP CATEGORIES
FEATURES
American Liberty News ©2022
Evolution Digital Media | 1900 Reston Metro Plz | Suite 600 | Reston, VA 20190