Rep. Tlaib blames America for Afghan crisis: ‘We backed the Taliban against the Soviets’

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is receiving pushback for her comments claiming the current crisis in Afghanistan is a “horrible consequence” of the U.S. backing the Taliban over the Soviets in the 1980s.

“That’s what this is: the horrible consequences of endless war and failed US policy going back to the 1980s when we backed the Taliban against the Soviets. Innocent people suffer the horrors of war while political leaders and arms-dealing corporations sit back and make billions,” Tlaib wrote in a tweet.

Social media users were quick to point out that the Taliban did not exist in the 1980s. 

“Taliban didn’t exist in 1980s, mujahideen did and Afghans had a right to defend themselves against Russian invasion…,” Zaid Jilani wrote in a tweet

“I cannot understand why you brought the Soviets into this. Also, the U.S. didn’t back the Taliban in the 1980s. It didn’t exist then. They backed Afghanis who were fighting the Soviets. Some of those fighters later began Taliban,” a user called ‘Mangy Jay’ wrote in a tweet, which has since garnered over 1,000 likes. 

“The Taliban didn’t exist in the 1980s. Leave foreign policy to those who understand it. It’s okay to not be an expert in everything,” a user called ‘Hello Shontel Brown’ wrote in a tweet

“You don’t know the difference between the Taliban and the Mujaheddin [sic] and you expect anyone to take you seriously on Afghanistan policy? Ridiculous,” another Twitter user wrote.  

“Tlaib has never let the truth stop her from lying,” said someone else.

Tlaib is also being criticized online after she voted against a bill that would have provided urgent funds to evacuate and resettle Afghans who have aided United States forces in the past. 

“You voted against Afghan resettlement. You are all talk,” said another.

“So why did you vote against funding relocation efforts for Afghan translators?” A user named Laynie wrote in a tweet.

“YOU voted against helping them. Don’t pretend you didn’t,” said another Twitter user.

Congresswoman Tlaib has not responded to the Independent Chronicle’s request for comment. 

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