On Point: The Biden-Harris Afghanistan Bugout 3 Years On
Ezoic
by Austin Bay
August 21, 2024
August 2024 marks the third anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration's most consequential international policy action: the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
Why Biden-Harris? Vice President Kamala Harris has said on several occasions she was "in the room" -- meaning in the decision loop -- when Joe Biden ordered a withdrawal based on the calendar and not on battlefield conditions. "Completely out by 9/11" is a sound bite, a political bumper sticker. It isn't clear-headed senior leader strategic guidance for a military withdrawal from a complex war zone.
The Trump administration planned to withdraw, but in order to support the pro-U.S. Afghan government, the U.S. would keep the huge Bagram airbase as a logistical hub and intelligence post. But Joe Biden nixed Bagram and decided to withdraw via Kabul's inadequate airport.
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