Taliban Onslaught: Why The Afghan Army Collapsed

NEW DELHI: In less than a fortnight, the Taliban went about capturing one provincial capital after another in Afghanistan before they entered Kabul. The 60,000-odd Afghan Special Forces did try to offer resistance at places but were outdone. What’s surprising is that the nearly three lakh strong Afghan army was barely seen in action at a time one would expect them to do what was needed. In this video chat with StratNews Global Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale, former Director General, Military Intelligence, Lt Gen RK Sawhney (Retd), explains what went wrong.

#afghanistan #Taliban #india

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[MuhammadYousaf-yfpg]

General Kiayani told Americans, you can raise an army 3 hundred thousand within three years, but where shall you bring a general who needs 40 years to acquire that level to command an army?

[duncanjamesmcmillan]

Most intelligent and educated explanation ever by this retired military man and unlike Arnab interuptus Nitin is respectful, doesn't repeat himself constantly like he's deaf, and does not have the high pitched voice of a teenaged girl.
The Americans should have put this retired General in charge to begin with. They should STILL listen to him. I will fwd this interview. He is so right about air support and lack of usual infantry training. Why learn to cook when you can always order pizza?

[kunalbahuguna]

Just saw your past interview with General Sawhney on Ahmed Shah Massoud. This one is an unexpected treat.

[physicsonline]

Nitin- thank you very much for a deeply insightful analysis provided by Gen Sawhney.The mischievous role of Pakistan and the blind spot of the Americans towards this country which, being part of the problem was considered part of the solution were the two major factors for the debacle.Corruption aided this.As did the eagerness for a deal by USA without foreseeing or caring for the consequences.

[Gitabhakta]

Very insightful interview. Thank you Nithin.

[abcdbd]

"Because Americans like to ring the bell, I don't know why!" lol

[shivamssingh]

So amazingly explained Sir👏👏
Great work👌

[shimlalove]

Yes. That was the only question, which came to my mind when this well-trained army surrendered to these unprofessional band of people.

[dipeshlall]

Everyone has a theory. No one made a prediction of collapse or abrupt collapse.

[badapple]

A very thoughtful and very insightful interview.

[manishsood]

As always a pin-pointed and intellectual presentation of the root due respect towards your sincere efforts nitin sir.. thankyou..

[sudanair]

The US engaged contractors, so called mercenaries to train the Afghan army. They were interested in making money. The lobby groups in US works for the defence industries. A disgrace

[glycontheserpent]

men don't fight not for narratives like freedom, democracy or equality etc.
Men fight for grand narratives like Nations or religion.

[roypatterson]

We trained the Afghan Army wrong. The were designed to rely on Air power to win..

[jeremyhodge]

All those years of effort and hard work the Afghan army expected the Americans to do the hard work while they do the easy work. Now when it's time for them to do the work themselves they turned tail 😒

[pritidodhia]

Your videos are very very professional and informative which mostly touches all the matters of subject discussed and your choices of inviting guests is highly commendable and Very matured

[ostrich.]

"To be US enemy of US can be dangerous, but ally can be fatel" ex US president Where is India today

[AlokAsthana]

How does this retired guy of India know how the Afghan army collapsed?

[jimmycc]

We are hearing a lot about corruption in the Afghan govt and army. What about corruption USA army and generals. Do American generals have vested interests too?

[anilvashist]

First time that I have heard a sensible, logical and convincing explanation as to why the Afghan Army didn't put up a resistance worth the name and why the Taliban got control of Afghanistan without a real fight.
Excellent explanation by General Sawhney, with insight from personal experience.