This is not about whether or not America should have had troops in Afghanistan now if ever. It is not about whether it is right for the US to consistently include democracy building in its engagement goals. The fact is if your “friend” did to you what Biden has done to our allies you would not consider them stupid or incompetent. You would see them as they asshole they are.
In the wake of the absolute debacle of a withdrawal from (or if you are cynical, deliberate abandonment of) Afghanistan a lot of people have claimed that the Afghan military was weak and didn’t even care to fight. In actuality, some 50,000 Afghans have died over some no American combat casualties in over a year In contrast, 66,000 Afghan military have lost their lives. This proves they Have been fighting for themselves.
Lack of strategy has resulted in a void that has backtracked our foreign policy to the pre 9/11 environment that allowed the Taliban and terrorist organization Al-Qaeda to rise to power, terrorizing people in the region and elsewhere and oppressing women to abominable extent.
US presence in Afghanistan contributed to leaps and bounds advancement of women there. It opened the doors for private philanthropy to address human rights needs. All of that has been reversed. We have surrendered our equipment and know-how; abandoned almost 100,000 people who assisted the US over the past 20 years; and given up the ground of supporting females of all ages.
I have a friend who was a very big whig diplomat, now retired. He lived and worked in Afghanistan, China and many other foreign locations during his illustrious career. He and I do not typically see eye to eye politically but this situation has aligned us in thought and opinion. I asked if he thinks this equates with Saigon as many have pronounced (which he would have lived through while I did not…though I was an adult by the time 9/11 occurred). He said with passion this is worse. He was absolutely aghast and confirmed that this has been completely bungled under typical foreign policy procedures.
“The women and children raised their happy voices with all the rest.” The Bible, Nehemiah 12:43. God cares about women and children and suffering. The US made a way for equality and education and life in a dark war torn place. It is a dark day and international setback that now the people return to weeping and fear in oppression.
Notes From Real Life 