OPINION: Historians will record that the United States' involvement in Afghanistan was a failure two decades and three presidents in the making, Paul Brandus writes.
Last month, a Gallup survey asked Americans to name the “most important problem” facing the nation. There was a long list of matters, all of them reflecting issues here at home. The word “Afghanistan” was nowhere to be found.
A 20-year failure But beyond the weekend hysteria, here’s the broader, more long-term question: After 20 years and $2 trillion in U.S. spending, if the Afghan army won’t defend its own people, what is the United States to do? It was a cornerstone of American policy under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump to train the Afghans. Historians will record that this was a failure two decades and three presidents in the making.
FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress in March that “the problem of domestic terrorism has been metastasizing across the country for a long time now and it’s not going away anytime soon.” He cited the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as one worrisome example. The goons of Charlottesville and Jan. 6 are the greater threat today.
Vietnam did not end Ford’s presidency Keep in mind that in April 1975, when the communists were closing in on Saigon, President Gerald Ford refused to send troops back to save the day. America’s involvement in the Vietnam War had officially ended two years earlier, and the troops had been withdrawn. Ford was criticized and took some lumps, but guess what? It may have been coincidental, but his Gallup approval rose 13 points over the next two months.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Afghanistan updates: Biden vows to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies, says there may be 'loss'
Consulte Mais informação »
Afghanistan updates: Protesters fly Afghan national flag in defiance of Taliban
Consulte Mais informação »
Afghanistan updates: Afghan national flags fly as protests continue in Kabul
Consulte Mais informação »
These Gen Z Afghan influencers are using social media to keep the world’s eyes on AfghanistanAfghan influencers around the globe are channeling their emotions into social media posts in hopes of raising awareness and keeping people informed about the bedlam unfolding in their home country.
Consulte Mais informação »
Opinion | The far-right is already busy demonizing Afghan refugeesOpinion | ZeeshanAleem: The bottom line is clear — Charlie Kirk's advancing white supremacist replacement theory, the idea that immigration threatens to unravel the “true” fabric of American society.
Consulte Mais informação »
Opinion | The Right and Our Afghan AlliesFrom WSJopinion: Conservatives claim to believe in American exceptionalism, and they once took pride in welcoming exiles from authoritarian lands. Afghans who fought with us deserve no less, writes The Editorial Board.
Consulte Mais informação »