Here are some thoughts about the Afghanistan debacle. These aren't right or left, just my personal beliefs. 1. The withdrawal was handled terribly (and stupidly). I do think Biden and anyone advising him ought to resign. However, I also think both President Trump and President Biden inherited a war that had been going on for years, and no matter what, was going to be difficult to get out of. I think Biden should resign due to many epic failures already in less than a year. 2. This war has been mismanaged by every president from Bush on down the line. For one thing, it was never clearly verbalized to the American people exactly what we were there for. Was it revenge, was it to democratize Afghanistan, was it to improve their lives, was it because their women have to wear burkas? You can't wage war on half a country. I would think we would have learned that from Vietnam. After 9/11, IMO, our only mission should have been to teach Afghanistan a lesson it would never forget. And yes, although we don't and shouldn't target civilians, some civilians were bound to be killed. Someone said that the minute our mission changed from retaliation to nation building and bringing democracy, failure was assured, and that about sums up how I feel. 3. And about the nation building, to me, it was wrong. In the first place, you can't make some place democratic that is built on tribalism, it's impossible. Furthermore, I find it arrogant to go there and tell them how they should live and to be more like us. That is up to them and if they want what we have, they'll have to figure a way themselves. 4. I am unsure, if the mission had remained what, in my mind, it should have been, whether we would have needed interpreters; we were there, in my mind, to deliver punishment, not to talk to them. Our troops never should have been there long enough to make friends with the Afghans. And never should our troops been allowed to fraternize with them or interact with the children. Not only was that dangerous, but it created an emotionalism that was, to me, inappropriate. And no one ever should have been promised that we would bring them home with us when it was over. I am not criticizing our troops, just the leadership. 5. And about the American citizens left behind, after turning this over in my mind ad nauseum, I have come to the conclusion that these folks cannot be Americans who were just there on holiday; they are primarily Afghans, regardless of their status on paper. Obviously, if we wanted them out, it should have been taken care of before our military left. (My five year old grandson could have figured that out.) 6. In any effect, now that it is essentially over, all we can do is keep an eye on them although it sounds like we will have little ability to do that now, wait and see what happens, and go back in if they step out of their own country in terror. Hopefully, when and if we have to return, we will stick to sending a message and then be done. Sorry about the length of this. If anyone has the patience to read it, I'm sure I'll be criticized by both left and right. My views can be rather "unconventional" at best.
I think you touch on one of the biggest failings--the idea that we didn't have a clear plan going into this. Those kind of arguments were made at the time of invasion. PNAC was a primary influence in our policies at the time, but their ideals failed to consider that not all people accept the American hegemony, and the region had already gone through a war with Russia in order to keep foreign powers out. Our actions throughout the time we were there is one of arrogance and ignorance. I think it could have been handled better, but I'm glad we're out.
Biden had no options, his predecessor and his Sec. of State had signed off on a withdrawal agreement with the Taliban agreeing to a May1,2021 withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan, in FEBRUARY 2020. THEY did nothing else other than sign an agreement committing the U.S. to withdraw.
Biden could have done whatever he wanted. As he proved by changing the date of withdrawal. We do not have to honor the Taliban. There was a new sheriff in town.......no excuses. You may notice I'm not criticizing Biden over this as much as some do. Definitely enough blame to go around. But the withdrawal is on him. Just some stuff I needed to get out of my system. I guess my point is that we will, almost undoubtedly, have to go back in, and I hope we don't muck it up again.
Out of curiosity, and not any petty political argument, if we did go back in, what should we accomplish, how should we do it, and what time frame do you think would be appropriate? Like I mentioned before, our goals going into this 20 years ago were not very specific.
If we have, say another 9/11 type incident, which, once again, came from there, I would say we should go back strictly to exact retaliation on that country. Not to build schools and water systems, not to "win hearts and minds", but for a lesson, and to show the world what will happen if terror reaches our shores. I can't say about strategy (I can't even win a game of Risk!), but it seems likely our military could figure that out. Probably, would take longer now that they have our weaponry, but I would think a year would be enough.
The Evac ended up going much better then repos thought. The military planned on two things. Either the gov would stay or it would collapse. They were prepared.After it collapsed it was one of the biggest Evac from hostile country with as few casualties. Maybe you don’t know how much worse other wars were.
