On April 14th, 2021, US President Joe Biden announced his intention to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 the twentieth anniversary of the attack on New York City that initiated the US’s involvement in the country. The departure would completely eliminate the US military presence in-country, as well as the NATO force serving with it. Unlike previous troop reductions carried out by the Trump and Obama administrations, this withdrawal is definite, rapid, and nearing completion. The 3,500 US troops present in the country are already half gone, and much of the equipment accompanying them has been shipped out as well. Major US installations such as the one located at the Kandahar airbase are being shuttered. The United States appears to be truly exiting its longest war.
The war in Afghanistan has become known as America’s “forever war,” due to the conflict's long duration and its public appearance of lacking a purpose or decisive goal. The Global War Against Terror was launched in 2001 by the Bush administration following the September 11th terrorist attacks that shocked the world and took the lives of 3,000 Americans. The terrorist group Al-Qaeda was using Afghanistan as a base of operations, under the cover of another Islamist terrorist group, the Taliban. At the time, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, although they lacked diplomatic recognition. The United States invaded Afghanistan with the goal of removing both groups from power and neutralizing their ability to operate and launch further attacks. Operation Enduring Freedom was initially successful, and major combat operations in the region ended in 2014. However, the Taliban insurgency has flourished and remained a potent force in the countryside and in fighting the Afgan military.
Since 2014, most American and NATO forces in the region have fallen under the umbrella of Mission Resolute support, which trains, advises, and supports Afgan troops. As of 2021, this force consisted of 2,500 US troops, and 7,000 of coalition allies. In addition, a substantial amount of US air support has assisted the Afghan army as they fight on the ground. This support has ensured that major urban areas remain under the control of the Afghan government, and negates the Taliban's and Al-Qaeda's ability to conduct operations both inside and outside the country. To put it frankly, the support provided by the US and its allies ensures the Afghan government and its military stability and capability to combat its pressing threats.
American combat deaths in Afghanistan in the last twenty years have numbered two thousand four hundred and twenty. For the last four years, US deaths annually have numbered seventeen, fifteen, twenty-two, and nine respectively. Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy, and every single one of those individuals leaves a grief-stricken family mourning them. However, those deaths, and those of soldiers from coalition nations, are the price the United States and its allies pay for security at home and abroad, so that the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 may never be repeated. This cold reality is essential to understanding why the United States remains in Afghanistan. Those tragedies prevent the deaths of countless American civilians and citizens. This is why the US presence in Afghanistan, relatively minimal as it is, is essential. If we do not fight over there, they will come to us over here.
But what about the Afghan government itself? Is it not capable of defending its own country, using its own troops and resources? To put it simply, it is not. The Afghan military is poorly trained, poorly motivated, and except for certain elite units, is a barely cohesive and functional fighting force. Corruption is rampant, and it is estimated that around 30-40% of the Afghan military deserts or becomes a casualty every year. In addition, narcotics usage is a massive issue, and one that seriously damages the Afghan military's credibility and ability to function. Even more worrisome is the fact that as the American withdrawal has started, Afghan Army and National Police outposts have begun to fall to the Taliban, either being overrun, or flat out surrendering. Taliban attacks against civilians and Afghan troops have greatly increased, and the Taliban appears to be preparing for another offensive after American troops leave. In short, the Taliban is ready and willing to exploit America’s withdrawal, and the Afghan government has an extremely difficult road ahead to survive. The horrors that a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan would entail deserve an article of their own.
These facts and circumstances make the President's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan extremely worrying. A Taliban-controlled Afghanistan would export terror and would eventually necessitate the return of US troops and air power. Keeping 2,500 troops and some air support in Afghanistan is worth the cost, regardless of the duration of the deployment or public outlook on the topic. Disregarding the sacrifices of thousands of killed and wounded American’s and abandoning our long-suffering ally for political points at home will be viewed with great regret in the not-too-distant future.
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