The Complex Emotions Of Withdrawal: Reflecting On The Military's Departure From Afghanistan

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the end of America's longest war and was met with mixed reactions. While some supported the decision as a wise strategic choice, others felt anger, betrayal, and humiliation, particularly the veterans. The withdrawal resulted in the Taliban regaining control and a refugee crisis, with many Afghans fleeing the country. There were also concerns about the potential for Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists. The Biden administration's handling of the situation received negative reviews, with critics pointing to the chaotic nature of the evacuation and the fact that Americans and Afghan allies were left behind.

Veterans feel anger, betrayal, and humiliation

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has left many veterans feeling anger, betrayal, and humiliation. The hasty retreat from a 20-year war has contributed to a decline in confidence in President Biden's competence and ability to serve as commander-in-chief. A survey by More in Common, an organisation seeking to identify the causes and cures for a polarised American society, found that 73% of Afghanistan veterans feel betrayed and 67% feel humiliated.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has been widely criticised as chaotic and rushed, with Americans and Afghan allies left behind. The Biden administration's decision to withdraw has been described as a "wise strategic choice" that took "political courage", but also as a "national disgrace" and a result of the President's "cowardice and incompetence". The withdrawal has also been linked to a decline in confidence in Biden's ability to handle the duties of commander-in-chief, with large majorities expressing negative views of his administration's handling of the situation.

The survey by More in Common also revealed that two-thirds of Americans and more than 7 in 10 veterans believe that veterans of the war in Afghanistan will struggle to process the end of the war. Additionally, 56% of veterans believe that American society will not move on quickly from the conflict. This sense of estrangement is further exacerbated by the fact that only one-third of Americans have social connections with these veterans.

The end of the war in Afghanistan has also left many Americans feeling a sense of dishonour. Seven in ten veterans believe that the US did not leave Afghanistan with honour, and 57% of Americans agree. This echoes similar sentiments expressed following the end of the Vietnam War in the late 1970s, which contributed to a sense of American decline and the election of a president determined to reverse this perception.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has had a significant impact on veterans, with many struggling to process the end of the war and feeling betrayed and humiliated. It remains to be seen what the long-term consequences of this decision will be, but there are concerns that a failure to address these issues could undermine veterans' lives and inject division into American society.

The US military failed to evacuate all Americans

The US military's failure to evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan has been a source of significant controversy and criticism. The Biden administration's decision to withdraw all US troops by September 11, 2021, resulted in a rushed and chaotic evacuation process that left many Americans stranded.

The US military's inability to evacuate all Americans can be attributed to several factors, including the rapid advancement of the Taliban, a lack of coordination between military and diplomatic efforts, and the dangerous conditions on the ground. Senior White House and State Department officials were criticized for failing to recognize the urgency of the situation and delaying the evacuation of embassy personnel. This delay placed American troops in greater danger as they worked to secure Hamid Karzai International Airport and facilitate evacuations.

The evacuation efforts were further complicated by the large number of Afghans seeking to flee the country, with tens of thousands desperate to leave. The US military prioritized the evacuation of American citizens, but the presence of so many Afghans made it challenging to locate and extract all Americans. Additionally, there were issues with identifying and granting access to the airport for those seeking evacuation.

The exact number of Americans left behind is unclear, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds. The State Department has confirmed that more than 800 American citizens have been evacuated since the Taliban takeover, in addition to at least 600 legal permanent residents. The Biden administration has continued its efforts to evacuate Americans and has expressed its commitment to leaving no one behind. However, the failure to evacuate all Americans during the initial withdrawal has been a source of embarrassment and criticism for the administration.

The impact of this failure extends beyond those left behind, as it has also contributed to a decline in confidence in the Biden administration's competence, particularly regarding its ability to handle national security issues. Veterans of the war in Afghanistan have expressed anger, betrayal, and humiliation over the withdrawal and the way it was handled. The perception that the US did not leave Afghanistan with honor has had a significant impact on public opinion and continues to shape political discourse.

The Biden administration's decision was politically courageous

The Biden administration's decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan was politically courageous. Firstly, the administration recognised that continuing US military engagement in Afghanistan was strategically unwise and futile in terms of altering the basic political and military dynamics in the country. The primary objective of the US in Afghanistan was to degrade the threat of terrorism, and this goal was largely achieved years ago. Al-Qaida's capabilities, for instance, are a fraction of what they once were.

Secondly, the Biden administration demonstrated courage by refusing to be deterred by the possibility of a growing terrorism threat in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal. This possibility has been a key justification for maintaining a military presence, but the administration weighed this against other strategic priorities, such as addressing threats from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Recognising that the US military could not reverse the Taliban's gains, the administration chose to redirect resources towards more pressing issues.

Thirdly, the decision to withdraw was made despite the knowledge that it would likely lead to significant losses for democratic processes, rights, and humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan. While this outcome is tragic, the administration accepted that the US could no longer prevent it. The Biden administration also acknowledged the potential for an intensified civil war and the Taliban's ascendance to formal power, demonstrating a willingness to make a difficult choice despite foreseeable negative consequences.

Finally, the decision to withdraw was politically courageous given the significant domestic opposition it faced. A survey conducted in August 2021, around the time of the withdrawal, found that 42% of Americans believed the decision to withdraw was wrong, with sharp partisan divisions on the issue. The decision was also criticised by some veterans, with many feeling angry, betrayed, and humiliated by the hasty retreat from a 20-year war. Despite this opposition, the Biden administration stood by its decision, demonstrating political courage in the face of intense scrutiny and criticism.

The Taliban's ascendance to formal power

The Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law has had devastating consequences for the country's economy and humanitarian situation. The economy has shrunk by up to 30% since the takeover, with an estimated 700,000 jobs lost. Malnutrition rates have soared, and almost half of the population is facing acute food insecurity. The Taliban has struggled to govern the country effectively, with basic state functions such as providing adequate food supplies and economic opportunities remaining unaddressed.

The Taliban's exclusionary Pashtun-centered rule has been highly repressive towards all forms of opposition. Individual rights have been curtailed, and women's access to education, jobs, and even basic healthcare has been decimated. The Taliban has further cracked down on press freedoms, resulting in the closure of hundreds of news organizations.

The Taliban's return to power has also raised concerns about the group's ties to terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda. The killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul has drawn attention to the Taliban's inability or unwillingness to break with terrorist groups. Experts fear that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists, posing a threat to regional and international security.

The Taliban's ascendance to power has been met with resistance from some segments of Afghan society, including former government officials, local militias, and Afghan security forces. However, these groups are currently not strong enough to pose a significant threat to the Taliban's rule. Internal power struggles within the Taliban have also been reported, with some leaders seeking to adopt a more pragmatic approach, while others remain committed to a hardline interpretation of Islamic law.

The US public's negative view of the Biden administration's handling of the situation

The Biden administration's handling of the situation in Afghanistan has been met with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was supported by 54% of Americans, only about a quarter believed that the Biden administration had done an excellent or good job, with 42% saying it had done a poor job.

The administration's handling of the withdrawal was described as a "disaster", "chaotic", and a "catastrophe". There was bipartisan criticism of the manner of the withdrawal, with Republicans excoriating the White House's strategy, and Democrats acknowledging that President Biden was carrying out the policies of his predecessor but criticising the haphazard nature of the withdrawal.

Veterans were particularly critical of the withdrawal, with 73% feeling betrayed and 67% feeling humiliated. They were also more likely than non-veterans to believe that the US did not leave Afghanistan with honour.

The Biden administration's report on the withdrawal, released in April 2024, was seen as defensive and disingenuous, and did not adequately grapple with the debacle of the summer of 2021. The report laid the blame on the previous administration and argued that Biden was “severely constrained” by his predecessor's decisions. This was interpreted as an attempt to shift blame and avoid accountability.

The perception of mishandling and calamity in Afghanistan has had broader implications for the Biden administration's standing, both domestically and internationally. Domatically, it has contributed to a decline in confidence in President Biden's competence and ability to handle the duties of commander-in-chief. Internationally, it has raised questions about the credibility and reliability of the United States as an ally, particularly in the context of deterring adversaries and inciting conflicts.

Overall, the negative view of the Biden administration's handling of the situation in Afghanistan has been pervasive and has had lasting implications for the administration's reputation and credibility.

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