Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
It would be foolish to assume the American withdrawal from Afghanistan will be repeated everywhere else that there is a U.S. presence.
As Americans, we have many strengths, but strategic patience is not among them. We have been able to summon it at critical times such as the Revolutionary War and World War II, where, for example, Congress did not threaten to defund the war effort if it wasn’t wrapped up by 1944.
Nothing remotely resembling the “inclusive government” that the Taliban have promised is likely to appear in Afghanistan, while drug trafficking and religious extremism will mushroom.
Experts from throughout Carnegie’s global network assess the stark humanitarian toll, the regional ramifications, and the diplomatic challenges posed by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Biden’s choice was to escalate a failing war in Afghanistan, to counteract the Taliban’s offensive, or bring U.S. troops home.
I could have imagined securing the airport in advanced to prevent that chaos, consultation with allies, facilitating the SIV Program. Have them go to American military bases around the world and check their documents there, but don't leave them in the sense that we've abandon Afghanistan.
Despite slick rhetoric from Taliban spokespeople, Afghanistan’s future under its new rulers is likely to be messy and uncertain.
Pakistan’s military leaders may see the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as a net win, but their cynical, realpolitik support for the Taliban is not risk-free.
These are tough choices and many hands contributed to this. Many administrations in history all met with unhappy, extremely difficult challenge of Afghanistan.