The United States spent 20 years trying to build Afghanistan in its image. Yet, US soldiers suddenly surrendered it to the Taliban last month by sneaking away at night.
America’s evacuation from Kabul
News of the retreat shocked the world. It also humiliated the United States. But, just as in Vietnam, US military leaders in Afghanistan knew for years this war was unwinnable.
That these military leaders repeated this historic mistake is inexplicable and unforgivable. So you’d think they would do everything possible to avoid civilian personnel evacuating Kabul in the same shameful and infamous way civilian personnel evacuated Saigon.
Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley briefed the press on operations underway to “get as many people out … in the time available.” But they seemed every bit as clueless as their predecessors must have been as they launched operations to get as many people out of Vietnam.
After all, Austin and Milley seemed to be puffing up their chest and patting themselves on the back just for securing the airport. They boasted of plans to run round-the-clock flights for anyone who shows up.
They appeared shockingly unaware of the inherent folly. After all, they have US Marines protecting the airport. Yet, only 100 yards away, a ragtag bunch of Taliban thugs are preventing people from getting to the airport. Those people include Americans and Afghans who supported America’s war effort.
Reporters repeatedly pressed Austin and Milley about overcoming this manifest folly. But they continued their Tweedledum and Tweedledee act. Marines are merely securing the airport. Meanwhile, Austin and Milley assure that commanders are engaged in ‘deconfliction’ talks to get the Taliban to stop blocking access.
The Karzai effect
Reports abound Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country in a convoy of trucks stuffed with US dollars. But I’d bet all that money that his predecessor, Hamid Karzai, is already colluding with the Taliban. His trademark is providing indispensable advice to whoever has power.
Karzai harbors deep resentment against the US for not letting him rule for life. That’s why he has criticized the US every which way but loose since leaving office.
Reports are that he’s advising the Taliban to prevent Afghans from fleeing. No doubt Karzai is warning that this risks a massive brain drain, which would make governing impossible.
To be fair, though, the Taliban would be well-advised to appoint Karzai as foreign minister to give their regime a familiar face. Granted, this would be like putting lipstick on a pig.
I have contended that, whether as America’s or the Taliban’s Iago, Karzai will find a way to thrive. But I suspect most members of the international community would find such an appointment reassuring.
Biden betraying promises
Millions of Afghans want to flee along with their American saviors. But the US military would be if it helps just 10% of them.
In other words, Biden’s endgame is f*cked, and with it, his hallowed reputation for competence and empathy. Indeed, is it just me, or is Biden suddenly sounding and behaving an awful lot like Trump these days?
- He promised to be straight with the American people. Yet he’s telling them to stop believing their lying eyes about this evacuation chaos, which he insists was inevitable … because he did nothing wrong.
- He promised sympathy and empathy. Yet he bristles with defiance and defensiveness when asked about images of desperate Afghans hopping on departing US airplanes, only to fall to their deaths from the sky – not a word of compassion.
- He promised foreign policy competence and confidence. Yet even America’s closest allies say they were blindsided by his Afghan withdrawal and feel as humiliated as the Afghans who supported America’s war efforts feel betrayed.
“America is back!” But boy, it hasn’t lasted long, has it?
Much is being made about this debacle leaving a stain on Biden’s presidency. I fear the bigger and more lasting stain is the one it might leave on his soul.
* The commentary was originally published yesterday, Wednesday, at 7:47 p.m.