The biggest talking point was that Biden lied about the advice to keep 2500 troops in Afghanistan.
So, here’s the exchange:
“
STEPHANOPOULOS: So no one told -- your military advisors did not tell
you, "No, we should just keep 2,500 troops. It's been a stable situation for
the last several years. We can do that. We can continue to do that"?
BIDEN: No. No one said that to me that I can recall. Look, George, the
reason why it's been stable for a year is because the last president said,
"We're leaving. And here's the deal I wanna make with you, Taliban. We're agreeing to leave if you agree not to attack us between now and the time we leave on May 1st.
“
BUT, those saying that IGNORE Miley’s statement that “if we stayed past Aug 31, we would then have to FIGHT the Taliban again AND BRING IN MORE TROOPS TO DO SO.”
In a few words, the war was back on. And Trump wanted to end it and leave immediately last January, damn any unmet conditions by the Taliban, AND Biden postponed the date until we would be more ready, and was betrayed by the faulty intelligence saying the Afghanis would probably fall much later in fall or early winter at the EARLIEST. They collapsed just as we were withdrawing troops and civilians.
The other thing explained to Hawley, who to his credit understood it and said nothing in response was when Miley explained to him that the 2500 at Baghram were advisors and support, and not fighting personnel like the 6000 they brought in to the airport for the civilian evacuation. In a few words we weren’t going to hold on to Afghanistan with JUST THEM once the Taliban began attacking us again.
All in all, I think NOW, that we would be back fighting the Taliban if we stayed, and since I am not one asked to do the fighting, I think those who are and their families had enough of no results as the Taliban were controlling 70% of the country after 20 years and a trillion dollars spent there. They were in charge except for some population centers, and the Afghan forces didn’t have it in them with that leadership to fight on.
So, Biden said bye bye. Trump said the same but only for bragging he ended a war, not because he understood why. That’s why he suddenly decided to get out last January, 5 days before Biden was taking office. Thankfully he was dissuaded from such a CALAMITY.
Warren asked THEM a critical question:” In view of the past twenty years there, would anything be better or different in another year being there?”
The answer from all three was a resounding NO.
So, despite my personal feelings till now, I think letting go is the right decision, and what happened in AUG was a FAILURE OF APPRECIATING THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN AND TELLING THE TRUTH OVER 20 YEARS THERE.
It’s complicated……….and a tragedy for those left behind, but …America first, no Trumpers?
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