HOW SOUTH KOREA SCREWED US ALL

So as I'm sure you're aware South Korea recently negotiated with the Taliban to release a number of hostages that were taken in Afghanistan. Now the problem with his is the following, it gave the appearence of Korea being forced to change its disposition in afghanistan (this isn't the case but it does give the appearence of being dictated to by the Taliban). Secondly, it gives legitimacy to an odious group we are trying to marginalize. It certainly doesn't make the life of the afghanistan government any easier to give that kind of legitmacy to the old former government. Lastly, what the Koreans have done will embolden the taliban to kidnap more people in the hopes of being able to dictate to other countries and bring more legitimacy to themselves.

Lets be clear: The taliban is not a government nor a legitimate organization. They are terrorists. While negotiating peace with a political wing of a terrorist organization is often helpful, one cannot hope to gain a lasting or sustainable peace by negotiating with such a group while it is holding your a gun to your head (or those of your citizens as was the case with korea). 2. Backing down in the face of the taliban or any other group will weaken not strengthen your position and 3. It will now be just that little bit harder to prevent such actions in the future.

Well done south Korea... well done. You've damaged us all and helped the Taliban.

Cheers,

P