Afghan Forces Battle Taliban as Lawmakers Reject Defense Minister

Ominous sign of things to come -- the NUG cannot appoint a defense minister.

Article here, excerpts below:

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan security forces battling the Talibanabout 30 miles west of Kabul have sustained heavy casualties, officials said Saturday, as senior members of the government criticized the response to the assault as slow and ineffective.

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Mr. Ghani, who formed a power-sharing government with his election rival, Abdullah Abdullah, after last year’s vote ended in a deadlock, has struggled to fill cabinet positions and security posts months after taking office. His initial two attempts at introducing a minister of defense failed. His first nominee was rejected by Parliament, while his second choice withdrew his nomination after videos of him making ethnically charged comments surfaced on social media.

In his third attempt, Mr. Ghani in May nominated Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, a close confidant who had for years led the efforts to reach out to the Taliban for peace talks. Mr. Ghani personally accompanied Mr. Stanekzai to the Ministry of Defense and installed him as caretaker even before he was confirmed.

But during his parliamentary confirmation on Saturday, Mr. Stanekzai fell short by 23 votes, leaving Mr. Ghani without a minister of defense, and the army, stretched thin across the country, without clear leadership.

pakistani342 said:

His first nominee was rejected by Parliament, while his second choice withdrew his nomination after videos of him making ethnically charged comments surfaced on social media.

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Pathetic, seem like this cancer will keep killing Afghanistan from inside.

save_ghenda said:

Pathetic, seem like this cancer will keep killing Afghanistan from inside.

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Man, we think Pakistan is in the pits but Afghanistan -- there seems to be a rage from within -- wonder why Ghani sab has not taken his case to the people that if the lawmakers refuse to appoint a Defense Minister the country will further spiral into chaos.

pakistani342 said:

Man, we think Pakistan is in the pits but Afghanistan -- there seems to be a rage from within -- wonder why Ghani sab has not taken his case to the people that if the lawmakers refuse to appoint a Defense Minister the country will further spiral into chaos.

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Its not really comparable to Pakistan at all, they have some serious issues. Thats why civil war always seem around the corner in Afghanistan.

just 30 miles away from Kabul? WTF? is that a rough mountanious 30km? or straight urban area?

Stanikzai is a pashtun, obviously he was bound to be rejected. On Afghan forums he is called ISI stooge by hazaras and Tajiks(these ethnicities formed northern alliance). Plus many sources reveal Tajik has more representation compared to their population in ANSF. So having a Pashtun who has been vocal opponent of NA before 2001 leading ANSF will not be acceptable to them like ghani wasn't acceptable to them after election until they had to create "CEO" position for Abdullah Abdullah (Northern alliance man).
I am sure the northern alliance will sponsor Atta Mohammed Noor, northern alliance warlord and current governor of Balkh I think

With warlords still ruling virtually whole Afghanistan, I can hardly see any difference between pre and post Taliban Afghanistan. Its the same civil war with different players in main action.Only positions have been shuffled.

pakistani342 said:

Man, we think Pakistan is in the pits but Afghanistan -- there seems to be a rage from within -- wonder why Ghani sab has not taken his case to the people that if the lawmakers refuse to appoint a Defense Minister the country will further spiral into chaos.

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shows they really dont care abt their own country. But only care abt their personal rage of why Mr ghani allowed NDS to sign co-operation deal with Pakistan.

Ghani needs to shame the opposition, it's the only way to get what he wants. Go to the public, talk shit about the opposition, he'll have a new defense minister of his choosing within the week.

Asfandyar.Khan said:

Stanikzai is a pashtun, obviously he was bound to be rejected. On Afghan forums he is called ISI stooge by hazaras and Tajiks(these ethnicities formed northern alliance).

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An ISI Stooge -- oh this gets more interesting -- any reference would be appreciated.