NPR: Biden set on Afghanistan withdrawal, even with Taliban gains

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Yes, the end result of the occupation of Afghanistan would be the same had America withdrawn ten years ago, or if it were to stay for another ten years. For America and the West, this was never really a war so much as a peacekeeping mission, with predictably futile results. If the missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East had not been focused so much on peacekeeping, but instead on utter destruction of Islamist scum, America could walk away its head held high. Our forces could have scorched the earth over there, if their leaders had let them. Instead, America and NATO walk away in shame, another blemish on this military empire’s reputation. For the Afghani people, their death warrant has been signed. Leaders have to make hard decisions, and the one President Biden had to make on Afghanistan will rank among the most consequential decisions any president has had to make in modern times. I do not envy him for having to do this. Via NPR -  

President Biden promised that the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan would not be a hasty rush to the exits. 

It would be responsible, deliberate and safe. 

But clearly he and his administration misjudged the speed with which the Afghan forces would collapse and the Taliban would take control. 

"The jury is still out. But the likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely," Biden said on July 8, but just a month later that appears to be exactly what's happening. 

As fears rise of the Kabul government collapsing, Biden now has to send 3,000 troops back to Afghanistan on a temporary mission to help evacuate most of the American embassy in Kabul and Afghan civilians who supported the U.S. 

The move has led to more questions about whether the United States was mistaken by withdrawing so quickly, but Biden said this week Afghans "must fight for themselves" as the U.S. military remains on track for a full withdrawal by the end of August. (Read more) 

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