Intro: Bagram Dreams, Reality Check
Trump Reaffirms Return Plan — The Taliban Says “Hard Pass” And Pakistan Issues A Formal Scowl.
The Bribe Menu
US Might Bribe Its Way Back — “Monthly Payments, Unfrozen Funds, And Snacks,” reads the offer. (Yes, there’s talk of unfreezing $9.5B.)
Mineral Tinder
Afghanistan: $1 Trillion In Minerals, One Tiny Pickup Truck — America Swipes Right.
Pakistan, The Logistics Ex
Pakistan Releases A Statement With China, Iran, Russia — And Then Secretly Asks For A Railway. Logistics: “We’ll Help If You Fund The Train.”
Conclusion: Deal Or No Deal
A compromise could happen if everyone agrees to a weirdly friendly extortion package — but for now it’s geopolitics as reality TV. MAGA-style optimism still available by mail.