Comments on ORGANIZED RAGE: The example of the PIRA's 'long war' model, bodes ...

AM's post brought a wry smile to my face, but he k...

2009-11-24T10:17:22.614Z

AM's post brought a wry smile to my face, but he knows better than most that as uilodomhnaill writes above, the 800 year struggle for 'full Irish independence' is not over due to a temporary halt being called in the proceedings.

Having said that, in many ways the Talaban in out look are not that dissimilar to the leadership group within the Provisional Republican Movement who signed the GFA. Pragmatic and consevative to the core. Yes when it suited them they can both pick up the radical stick, but if a better offer comes along they will discard it without a second thought.

Thus as the Provos dropped their radical US supporters when they felt green corporate America had the ear of the man in the big white house, there is no reason the Talaban would not do likewise if they concluded it would result in their US tormentors leaving them be. Indeed they have already distanced themselves from the radical islam of Bin Laden and his supporters.

None of this will mean much in the great historical sweep of things, as a dozen or so leaders in smoke filled rooms, whether they be Afghan or Irish, are unlikely to alter centuries of deep rooted cultural behaviour patterns.

The Afghans never have accepted defeat historicall...

2009-11-23T23:08:31.110Z

The Afghans never have accepted defeat historically,any more than the Irish have.Taliban simply means students and is a US/Western allies tag so far as I can figure. Afghan culture is a revenge based warrior culture and so far as I can see(following the work of Tariq Ali) hasn't changed a bit since they repelled Alexander of Macedon.
I don't believe the Irish saga is over either,but I am both a hopeless romantic,and not well versed in politics. If history,past behavior in the case of an individual,is the best predictor of future behavior....time will tell.

But would the Taliban accept defeat so readily?

2009-11-23T19:42:58.532Z

But would the Taliban accept defeat so readily?

Very thoughtfully understated,I think. I believe t...

2009-11-23T15:13:51.578Z

Very thoughtfully understated,I think. I believe the longest war against occupiers in Afghanistan was 80 years,but since it is current rhetoric to ignore history,we are probably only talking to each other. Some would count centuries in the Irish fight against its occupiers,of course. The thirty year chapter being only the most recent.