Quote Originally Posted by Entropy View Post
No to pick on you Carl, but this is the kind of statement that annoys me.
I don't mind if you pick on me. I probably deserve it.

Notice though that I said "if" the Taliban managed to retake Afghanistan. I didn't say "when". But that is just a quibble. The main point remains. They aren't afraid of us now and as they become more successful they will be less so.

The Taliban didn't manage to take all of Afghanistan before 2001, but they came pretty close. If I remember correctly, their last big obstacle, Massoud, was removed just before 9-11.

You are right there is no certainty the Quetta Shura would take the place over if we bugged out. I suspect they would but it would probably depend upon who of the three entities you mentioned the Pak Army/ISI threw its' weight behind. It seems logical they would go with the Quetta Shura as they did before. It also seems logical they have kept the other two around just to hedge their bets.