Leslie Massey
The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has been described as President Biden's first major foreign policy crisis. The exit has been called a blind spot for the president, and foreign policy experts have questioned how Biden's decades of foreign policy experience could have led to such a chaotic withdrawal. Biden has defended his decision to withdraw, portraying it as a moral imperative and stating that he does not regret his decision. However, the withdrawal has damaged Biden's image, and he will need to make successful decisions to minimise risks to US citizens and implement his domestic agenda to recover politically.
What You'll Learn
Biden's foreign policy experience
Joe Biden's foreign policy experience has been a topic of discussion and dissection since he took office. Biden's extensive experience in foreign affairs includes serving as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for twelve years. He also played a significant role in shaping foreign policy during the Obama presidency.
Biden's foreign policy team reflects a return to stability, drawing on members with diverse backgrounds and expertise. His choice for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, served as Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy Security Advisor under Obama. Blinken is a proponent of building strong international partnerships. Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, are also alumni of the Obama administration.
Biden's foreign policy has been described as having ideological underpinnings in mid-twentieth-century liberal internationalism, American exceptionalism, and pragmatism. Since assuming office, he has sought to strengthen alliances and repair relationships with US allies, which he argues were damaged during the Trump administration. Biden aims to restore the United States to a position of "trusted leadership" among global democracies to address challenges posed by Russia and China.
Despite the criticism surrounding Afghanistan, Biden has demonstrated his foreign policy capabilities in other areas. He has received praise for his leadership in mobilizing NATO allies to support Ukraine against Russia. He has also taken a tough stance on China, emphasizing the need to counter China's widening international influence.
Biden's foreign policy approach emphasizes the importance of personal relationships and his extensive experience in international affairs. He has met with world leaders and addressed global issues such as climate change, human rights, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, Biden's foreign policy experience is a mix of successes and setbacks. While the Afghanistan withdrawal remains a controversial aspect of his presidency, he has also made strides in repairing alliances and addressing global challenges.
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The future of US-Afghanistan relations
The US-Afghanistan relationship has been significantly impacted by the withdrawal of US troops and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government. The Taliban's return to power has raised concerns about the protection of human rights, particularly for women and girls, and the potential reversal of progress made over the last two decades. The country is also facing a humanitarian crisis, with millions at risk of acute food insecurity.
The Biden administration has emphasized its commitment to counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan and other countries, utilizing "over-the-horizon capabilities" to strike terrorist targets without a large presence of American boots on the ground. However, there are doubts about the effectiveness of these measures and concerns that Afghanistan could once again become a breeding ground for extremism. The US has limited leverage over the Taliban, and the de facto rulers' priorities may not align with efforts to improve the day-to-day well-being of Afghan citizens.
Additionally, the chaotic withdrawal has damaged the credibility of the US as a reliable ally. Other countries, such as Taiwan, Japan, and Estonia, may question the US's willingness to uphold its treaty obligations and protect its allies. The Biden administration has attempted to restore its standing by supporting Ukraine, but there are still doubts about its ability to deter adversaries and commit military personnel to potential conflicts.
Despite the challenges, the Biden administration has expressed its commitment to continue supporting the Afghan people. This includes ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave Afghanistan and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The administration also plans to continue speaking out for the basic rights of Afghans, especially women and girls, and making human rights a central focus of its foreign policy. However, it recognizes that achieving these goals will require a different approach, utilizing diplomacy, economic tools, and rallying international support rather than endless military deployments.
In conclusion, the future of US-Afghanistan relations is complex and challenging. The US withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power have had significant implications for human rights, counterterrorism efforts, and the US's credibility as an ally. The Biden administration faces the difficult task of navigating these issues while trying to support the Afghan people and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists once again.
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The impact on Biden's domestic goals
The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has been a damaging crisis for President Biden, threatening his domestic agenda and the Democratic Party's control of Congress. However, Biden can still recover politically, and his administration remains committed to delivering on its domestic goals.
Biden's domestic agenda includes passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the social spending package. These are potential wins that could attract the support of a majority of voters, including many independents. The infrastructure bill includes funding for projects in West Virginia, such as $3 billion for federal-aid highway programs, $506 million for bridge replacement and repairs, and a $100 million minimum for expanding internet access.
Biden's domestic policy framework also includes universal pre-school, incentives for domestic production of clean energy technology, an extension of "Obamacare" tax credits, and tax increases on wealthy Americans and corporations. He aims to advance racial equity and civil rights, reform the immigration system, and restore America's standing in the world.
Biden's administration has taken a more aggressive approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on expanding testing, safely reopening schools and businesses, and launching a national vaccination program. They are also committed to protecting and expanding access to affordable healthcare, reducing healthcare costs, and simplifying the healthcare system.
In terms of economic relief, Biden plans to build back better from the pandemic by strengthening small businesses, investing in future jobs, and creating millions of good-paying, union jobs. He also aims to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gas pollution, increasing resilience to climate impacts, and delivering an equitable clean energy future.
While the Afghanistan withdrawal has been a setback, Biden and his party are under pressure to deliver on their domestic agenda and show voters that they deserve to remain in power.
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The role of the media
The media has played a significant role in shaping the narrative around President Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and its aftermath. It has been described as a "disaster" that will dominate media and political conversations, with the potential to cause long-term damage to Biden's presidency.
Media outlets have highlighted the chaotic nature of the withdrawal, with images of desperate Afghans crowding Kabul's airport and attempting to flee the country. This has led to criticism of Biden's decision-making and execution of the withdrawal, with some arguing that it could have been handled better. The media has also covered the human cost of the withdrawal, including the deaths of 13 US service members in suicide attacks, which further intensified the scrutiny on Biden's administration.
Biden's foreign policy credentials and experience have been questioned by the media, given the apparent lack of preparation and mismanagement of the situation. There have been reports of Biden's frustration with negative media coverage, and his administration's attempts to control the narrative by emphasising the successful evacuation of over 120,000 people. However, this has been met with scepticism by some analysts, who argue that the administration is not transparent enough about what went wrong.
The media has also provided a platform for critics of Biden's handling of the situation, including Republican politicians and Gold Star family members of the deceased US service members. Their demands for accountability and transparency have gained traction through media coverage, putting further pressure on Biden's administration.
Overall, the media has played a crucial role in scrutinising Biden's actions, providing a platform for various stakeholders, and shaping public opinion about the Afghanistan withdrawal. The lasting impact on Biden's presidency will depend on how successfully he can move past this crisis and refocus on his domestic agenda.
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The consequences for the Afghan people
The economic situation is also catastrophic. Afghanistan's economy was already weak before the Taliban takeover, and it has since been dealt a catastrophic blow. Mass unemployment, a collapse of the housing market, and increased rates of malnutrition are just some of the consequences. Crippling sanctions against senior Taliban leaders have paralysed the banking sector and prevented Afghanistan from engaging with the international financial system. The value of the country's currency has plummeted, raising the cost of imports and exacerbating inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.
The rights of women and girls have been severely curtailed under Taliban rule. They have been banned from working in most sectors, from attending secondary school, and from appearing in public without a male chaperone. Beauty salons have been forcibly closed, and bans have been placed on participating in sports activities or visiting public parks. Child and forced marriages have increased, and gender-based violence and femicide have gone unpunished.
The Taliban has also committed widespread human rights abuses, targeting journalists, religious minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Freedom of expression has been eroded, and peaceful protests have been met with violent repression.
The Taliban takeover has also led to increased instability and violence in the country. While the conflict between Taliban fighters and U.S.-backed government forces has ended, violence remains widespread, with the Islamic State in Khorasan terrorist group carrying out attacks on civilians.
Overall, the consequences for the Afghan people have been devastating, with a rollback of rights and freedoms, a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, and increased instability and violence.
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Frequently asked questions
The chaotic exit from Afghanistan has been described as a "blind spot" for Biden, altering his administration's approach to foreign policy. It has also led to a decline in Biden's approval ratings and calls for his impeachment from Republicans.
The Taliban's return to power has had devastating consequences for the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and girls. The vast majority of Afghan girls have been denied access to secondary education, and the country is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, with nearly 23 million people at risk of acute food insecurity.
Some have argued that a third alternative existed to Biden's choice between remaining indefinitely in Afghanistan or withdrawing: making the American withdrawal conditional on an intra-Afghan peace deal and securing the rights of Afghan women. While this may not have guaranteed a successful outcome, it has been argued that the US had a moral obligation to attempt this third path.
The Afghanistan withdrawal has led to a shift in Biden's foreign policy approach, with a greater focus on supporting Ukraine and countering China. While the withdrawal was initially criticised, it has since been argued that it allowed Biden to focus on more pressing national security interests, such as the competition with China and addressing cyberattacks and nuclear proliferation.
