Public Perception on Biden's Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan

When Joe Biden took office, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan was one of the major foreign policy decisions he had to address. The decision to withdraw troops was made amidst various criticisms and mixed reactions from the public and even within the government. This article explores the public sentiment and the factors contributing to the decision and its aftermath.

Factors and Criticisms

Donald Trump set a public timetable for troop withdrawal against the advice of his own military, which put Biden in a difficult position. Many critics argued that the negotiations with the Taliban were driven by a government aligned with Putin, rendering any deal void. The withdrawal of troops is seen as a result of a flawed strategy that prioritized the will of political leaders over the advice of military experts.

The American government and public have no clear answer to why such a significant withdrawal occurred. For the past two decades, the US government has been supplying Afghan forces and civilians with military aid and support, with little to show in terms of tangible benefits or rewards. Afghanistan has been deemed a financial and strategic burden on the US taxpayers and administration. The US had already invested trillions of dollars in the Afghan war, and the cost of leaving behind $86 billion worth of equipment could be worse than the loss of troops in terms of national standing.

Members of the US Congress and officials have claimed to have profited from the war, often due to contracts and other financial incentives. Despite these criticisms, the withdrawal of troops is still seen as a necessary step towards national interest and a return to a more focused defense posture.

Timeliness and Preparation

The withdrawal of US troops was not met with sufficient urgency. Critics argue that plans for withdrawal and the safe extraction of civilians should have been initiated as early as the first day of the Biden administration. In fact, this decision could have been made much earlier, with the former presidents, including Trump, Obama, and Bush, facing criticism for their handling of the situation. Trump and Obama were accused of prolonging the war unreasonably, while Bush was criticized for the initial invasion that set the stage for a prolonged conflict.

The delay in withdrawal has led to increased instability and has exposed the inadequacies of the existing Afghan government. The Afghan forces were not adequately prepared for the challenges they faced, leading to a chaotic withdrawal and a power vacuum that was swiftly filled by the Taliban.

Long-term Implications

The decision to withdraw troops is not seen as a one-off event but rather as a shift in a broader strategic approach to foreign intervention. Some argue that the US should avoid being involved in long-term military conflicts in foreign countries and instead focus on domestic and regional security concerns. Military forces should be used only for direct self-defense and should not be stationed abroad unless absolutely necessary.

The long-term impact of the withdrawal on Afghanistan and its implications for the US are significant. Establishing a stable, western-aligned government in Afghanistan was an add-on goal that proved to be unattainable due to the region's historical and cultural context. The idea of a stable and democratic government in Afghanistan is a concept rooted in modern democratic principles, which often clash with the traditional governance systems prevalent in the region.

The failure to achieve these add-on goals highlights the limitations of Western military interventions in non-Western settings. The resolution of conflicts in these regions requires a deep understanding of local culture, history, and political structures, which the US military was not able to achieve in the span of a fifteen-year conflict.

Looking ahead, the US needs to reassess its foreign policies and prioritize diplomatic and economic strategies over military interventions. While the US will not face similar challenges in the immediate future, the long-term consequences of prolonged military involvement are becoming increasingly clear. A shift in strategy could prevent similar situations from occurring in the future, ensuring the resources are better used and the national interest is preserved.