After 20 years all American troops are out. The last Soldiers to leave Afghanistan was the 82nd AIrborne Commanding General. What remains is really heartbreaking.
America’s time in Afghanistan is now over, like it or not. Yes it was time to go but the manner in which we left and what we left behind is hot topic. Foremost, we left American citizens and our Afghan allies that President Biden swore to evacuate. The number of Americans left behind is uncertain, no one seems to have an accurate number. The number ranges from 150-600 so who knows.
The last American Solider boarded a USAF transport jet to end the combat mission in Afghanistan. 82nd Airborne Commanding General Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue. It was has become a somber image, Donahue is shown boarding the last Air Force transport plane out of Afghanistan. The picture taken with night vision, just before the plane took off into the night.
The pullout came 24 hrs ahead of time for what the Pentagon and White House called a high security threat. The specific threat was not stated but most likely more suicide bombings or more rocket attacks. The Biden Administration was trying to avoid more U.S. casualties during the pullout. This marks the end of 20yrs of combat operations in Afghanistan. The pullout is hotly debated with both Democrats and Republicans.
Calls for resignation
Many Republicans are calling for the resignation of President Biden for his failure to get all Americans out along with Afghan allies that are almost certainly condemned to death by the Taliban. President Biden gave a hollow speech about why we left. Stating, that 4 Presidents, 20yrs and trillions of dollars spent was enough. Biden made the analogy of it 9/11 planning had happened in Yemen then would we be in Afghanistan. Are you kidding me, even a 12 year old could answer that. Biden had to bring up his son that served in Iraq and passed from cancer, yet again. Yes Biden knows what it is like to loose a child, but not to combat and not from bad decisions from someone else. His press conference defending the pullout was so hollow. Of course once again Biden blamed Trump for the pullout. He fails to mention the mechanisms in place that would have prevented the pullout if the Taliban did play nice. Which of course they did not. Many Democrats are finding it difficult to defend President Biden and the handling of the pullout.
What now?
So after 20 years all American troops are out. What now for Afghanistan? With the Taliban in control what future does Afghanistan have? Reports of revenge killings are popping up all over. Video of an Afghan bring hung from a Blackhawk helicopter are circulating. It is just complete chaos. Afghanistan has no real economy except the opium trade. So Biden’s assertion that economic sanctions can be used as leverage is laughable. Afghanistan survived hundreds of years without the worlds assistance and most likely will continue to do so. Not to mention that Russia and China and already trying to “render assistance”. Also we have left the Taliban better equipped than they have ever been. Leaving behind at least $85 Billion in military hardware.
I have to wonder how long until Afghanistan becomes a terrorist state yet again. The manner in which we pulled out has left a black eye for America on the world stage. Rumors of NATO talks that exclude the United States are starting to be reported. I am not surprised one bit, and I believe we have no credibility with our allies around the globe anymore.
