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Joaquin Phoenix Has a Doppelganger in the Taliban

Honestly there are no words -- except maybe the set up from MSNBC reporter Mujeeb Ahmad, whose new interview with high-ranking Taliban member Mullah Aminullah discredits any and all news of peace talks. Still: Holy crap, Joaquin Phoenix's evil twin quit hip-hop and went into Islamic extremism.

Oh, wait, maybe not:

More than six feet tall and slender, Aminullah is around 45 years old, which makes him approximately two years younger than Omar. He is an imposing figure who never takes off his dark glasses and stroked his thick black beard as we chatted and drank tea. His bravado was evident and the 250 fighters under his command seemed to be in awe of him.

"All of these reports of peace talks are nonsense," Aminullah said. "This is just propaganda by the U.S. and its NATO allies to hide their defeat on the battlefield. We are winning, why should we negotiate."

"So in your opinion, what is the current status of the U.S. and NATO on the battlefield," I asked.

"Let me ask you that question," Aminullah shot back. "Which U.S. or NATO operation has been successful? Has the operation in Helmand been a success?"

Aminullah was quick to answer his own questions.

"British forces cannot come out of their bunkers. What about the U.S. operation in Marjah? That certainly failed. And whatever small gains they say they are making in Kandahar will fail too."

Did I mention there are no words?

ยท Taliban leader's aide: Reports of peace talks 'nonsense' [MSNBC via @RhettReese]