Terror Attacks in Tehran and Kabul

We in the states are very aware of the terror attacks in London and Paris recently. We are almost unaware of horrific attacks in Tehran and Kabul. On some level this makes sense. Americans are more familiar with, have more family and have traveled more to London and Paris. Both cities have a plethora of media to report of what happened.

Furthermore, and more disconcerting, London and Paris fit into a narrative that implies that Muslim terror is directed at Christians. When, in fact, the terror is directed at agents that work against them.

In Kabul (Afghanistan) over 150 people were killed as the Taliban / Al Queda network killed over 150 people with a gigantic truck bomb in the secure zone of the city.

We have become inured to bombings in Afghanistan. In fact, we Americans have pretty much tuned out Afghanistan all together after 16 years of war and bad news. Which is easy for us to do.

But imagine the hell of life for Afghans. I can't actually. What was a cosmopolitan and western city in the 1960s (pics here) is now a dusty town of lawlessness, warlords and death. We have accepted their deaths as what? Inevitable? Normal? Justified?

I don't know and either to others, so we ignore it.

In Tehran Iran, ISIS attacked two of their most iconic places (like their Twin towers or Pentagon), their Legislative Building (their Capital Hill) and Mausoleum of the Country's Founder (their Arlington Cemetery). The attack was from ISIS, whom we are both fighting in Syria.

The US "condolence" memo was appalling in its tone during this period. Remember the US received worldwide condolences after 9/11.  Yes, including from our enemies and Iran. Our message to Iran from the State Department was fine. It said, "The United States condemns the terrorist attacks in Tehran today. We express our condolences to the victims and their families, and send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Iran. The depravity of terrorism has no place in a peaceful, civilized world. " (link).

BUT THEN, well the President and White House updated that message to blame Iran themselves for the attacks, " We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times. We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote." (link)

For fuck's sake, we are fighting ISIS with Iran! Why is our own White House trying to cause trouble. Well, I mean I know, it is a political ploy to help Trump get reelected. But it is repugnant.