I have an Afghan exchange daughter,

[cilla4progress]

I have spoken of her often here.

She self-deported to Canada at the end of her exchange program with us.

She still has family in Afghanistan. She managed to get her parents out to Tajikistan. Her dad worked for the US government. She still has 2 adult sisters and their families there.

She is fearful and anxious. I am worried about her. What a travesty. Why aren't NATO troops stopping the Taliban from their advance? We left defense assets there!

[Tetrachloride]

1. I support continued long term military and social support of antiTaliban people.

, or whatever the term is. Anti-Taliban by a combination of military and social efforts. I still am. Unfortunately, its a Vietnam War cousin.

As an aside, I am likely physically closer to Afghanistan than 99 percent of active DU members.

I have online students who are even closer to Afghanistan.

If these students feel stifled in their countries, imagine how Afghanis feel.

I don’t believe the math nor morality supports this withdrawal from Afghanistan.

[cilla4progress]

4. Interesting.

My Afghan daughter is, too.

She's pissed right now, and rightfully so.

[Hoyt]

2. While I get pulling out after 20 years, not sure how we leave it up to NATO or anyone

else. Hope somebody has a plan when people like these two sisters are left to mercy of Taliban.

Never should have occupied Afghanistan or Iraq. But, hope there is something in works to help innocent people in short-run.

[cilla4progress]

3. I'm hoping so, too,

but it's not sounding good right now.

[Deuxcents]

5. This hard to read..

I can’t believe you are living it. Is there anything your du friends can do to help. Write letters. Call authorities. Let us hear from you and let’s see what we can do. I hope you will find comfort dealing with this situation.

[cilla4progress]

8. It's hard to hear from my daughter.

Maybe a donation to Doctors Without Borders?

I send her money to help get her remaining family there out, but it's a drop in the bucket.

Thank you for your kindness!

[canetoad]

6. Many years ago

I watched a BBC doco on the rise of the Taliban - by definition angry young men with a surfeit of testosterone, blind belief in religion and little wisdom.

Please wish her well from Australia.

[Tetrachloride]

7. I am not near a major front line

but there are active deadly areas in several points of the compass from me, say 300-600 miles.

My particular area is not dangerous. But I didn’t come here for the climate either.

[cilla4progress]

9. Oh my -

stay safe! And stay in touch!

Are you Afghan, yourself?

[Tetrachloride]

10. Caucasian American but I get mistaken for locals

because of my lame mustache and a short haircut that locals identify with.

[Duppers]

11. Oh wow. Please stay safe. nt

[renate]

12. It's so heartbreaking. What a tragic reminder that stories on the news

Are about real people with real emotions, real feelings, real fears, real terror. They aren’t just “oh this is so horrible and wrong” things, they’re real events, happening in real life, to real people. I am so so sorry.

[Jon King]

13. The problem is massive Afghan corruption, not NATO or the US.

Politico had a very detailed article last month. The US tried for 20 years, 300000 trained troops. But they simply put down their arms and walk away when the Taliban come. Time after time, US commanders saw Afghan troops with more firepower, larger numbers, just walk away from the fight. Why the heck should NATO risk their people??

The Afghan government and army is pure corruption. The leaders take the money, fill out fake soldiers names and pocket the cash. The Taliban are fighting for what they think is their ticket to heaven, the Afghan army is fighting for money. Massive difference in motivation.

The US tried for decades, but its literally impossible to get the Afghans to do it the right way.

No way on earth NATO or US troops should risk their lives when the Afghan government and military just keep stealing the money and walk away when the Taliban comes.

Biden did 100% the right thing. The Afghan people have 2 choices, knock off the corruption, get their government act together fast, or the entire country will be under Taliban control.

Sorry, those are the facts.

[cilla4progress]

16. That is a facile prescription for powerless women and children there.

So, you don't think we have any responsibility just from the standpoint as a supposed leader among western democracies, to these people? You don't think we can do more and fix this abrupt retreat? Do you think it's going well and reflects well on US?

By the way - along with the family of a former Afghan exchange student who are still there, my other connection is the child of friends' was an Army Ranger who died there from friendly fire a few years ago. RIP.

[Duppers]

14. 2nd what renate said above.

Real people are being hurt.

I questioned our leaving, as bad as that sounds. But it's bloody Afghanistan; as Mike Malloy said, "Afghanistan - where empires go to die." Russia knew this. Sadly, the Taliban seems indestructible.

[mvd]

15. I'm sorry to hear this

It’s a very frustrating situation. We are hardly the first super power unable to mold Afghanistan the way we want it. I hope there can be multi-national forces to keep an eye on it, or aid sent. I hope your Afghan exchange daughter and her family are ok.