Opinion: In Afghanistan, Biden now has new promises to keep
Opinion by the Editorial Board
Yesterday at 5:54 p.m. EDT
Seldom has an American commander in chief spoken with greater conviction than President Biden did when he addressed the nation Tuesday after U.S. troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite the chaotic and bloody scenes from Kabul over the last two weeks, including 13 American military fatalities, and despite the fact that a massive and courageous U.S. military airlift was not enough to rescue every U.S. citizen before the president’s Aug. 31 deadline, Mr. Biden evinced utter certitude that his decision to withdraw was “wise,” and that his administration’s management of the pullout had gone as well as possible under the circumstances. Suffice it to say, we disagree with the president on both points, having previously argued that to maintain a residual force in Afghanistan would have been the least costly of the admittedly bad options — and having forecast disaster should the United States leave this year.
Still, we will grant the president this: He has left no ambiguity as to his moral and political ownership of this searing episode, and its consequences. Every American must hope that subsequent events do, indeed, vindicate his judgment.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/01/afghanistan-biden-now-has-new-promises-keep/
