Russian Bounty on U.S. military in Afghanistan.

[JimL]

Russia paid bounty to Taliban to kill US soldiers as well as NATO ally soldiers in Afghanistan according to U.S.Intelligence. Trump was briefed on this in March and given a list of responses such as sanctions. Trumps only response thus far was to plead for Russia's re-entry into the G-7.

http://www.newsmax.com/us/russia-afg.../26/id/974430/

[seanD]

Get out of Afghanistan. It's a no-brainer, though I doubt that will happen even under Biden.

[Whateverman]

Russia paid bounty to Taliban to kill US soldiers as well as NATO ally soldiers in Afghanistan according to U.S.Intelligence. Trump was briefed on this in March and given a list of responses such as sanctions. Trumps only response thus far was to plead for Russia's re-entry into the G-7.

http://www.newsmax.com/us/russia-afg.../26/id/974430/

A) Good call on citing a conservative news source here

B) On some level, the practice doesn't surprise me. I'd expect things like this to happen, and everyone knows that US intelligence agencies like the CIA have done the same thing in foreign wars.

C) What's the most upsetting about the story, obviously, is Trump's response to the report. Imagine what would have happened if the same story emerged while Obama was in office - and yet Trump supporters are going to dismiss this as NBD. While the POTUS has a lot of power, in many ways he's just a figurehead - which means his job is primarily to be a visible leader. The POTUS should spearhead patriotism, and visibly defend this country's military. He did and said nothing, which is beyond offensive. It's down right unAmerican.

[Ronson]

Russia paid bounty to Taliban to kill US soldiers as well as NATO ally soldiers in Afghanistan according to U.S.Intelligence. Trump was briefed on this in March and given a list of responses such as sanctions. Trumps only response thus far was to plead for Russia's re-entry into the G-7.

"...The New York Times reported Friday."

The NYT referencing unnamed sources isn't terribly impressive. It may be true, or partially true, or complete baloney. It's usually in the "partially" true category.

Until a legitimate source puts some verification on this, I won't get too nervous about it.

[Cow Poke]

It just occurred to me that I have a set of those Russian nesting doll things.

I must be a Russian agent.

[DivineOb]

We already know that Trump is totally disloyal to the United States. I just had no idea how many Republicans were equally disloyal. There is no bottom.

[firstfloor]

[Leonhard]

Like Ronson I'm a big 'eh' about this. Not enough meat, and even then it's no different than the dirty tactics done by any foreign intelligence.

[JimL]

It just occurred to me that I have a set of those Russian nesting doll things.

I must be a Russian agent.

No, just the naive supporter of an agent.

[Cow Poke]

No, just the naive supporter of an agent.

You just LOVE for me to post....

Stop Saying Stupid Stuff.gif

[Whateverman]

I've long thought that Trump needs Putin's favor somehow...

[Ronson]

Like Ronson I'm a big 'eh' about this. Not enough meat, and even then it's no different than the dirty tactics done by any foreign intelligence.

I read the original NYT article. Typical mish-mash of murky "facts" and speculation, attributed to anonymous sources. Historically these types of articles come back and bite them in the behind.

Here is my edit of the NYT article, leaving in the pertinent points:

according to officials briefed on the matter

The only quote from a named US official, from two years ago, and not related to this current charge.

Some officials have theorized that the Russians may be seeking revenge on NATO forces for a 2018 battle in Syria ... But the motivation remains murky.

The officials briefed on the matter said...

Western intelligence officials say ...

American intelligence officials say ...

Russia declared the Taliban a terrorist organization in 2003 ...

[seanD]

Just out of curiosity, barring pulling our troops out, what would the leftists in here suggest Trump do in this situation?

[whag]

Just out of curiosity, barring pulling our troops out, what would the leftists in here suggest Trump do in this situation?

Clearly, we should retaliate with fire and fury.

[Cow Poke]

Clearly, we should retaliate with fire and fury.

And bluster?