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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBiden Deserves Credit, Not Blame, for Afghanistan
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/biden-deserves-credit-not-blame-for-afghanistan/619925/Americans should feel proud of what the U.S. government and military have accomplished in these past two weeks.
. . . . The Biden administration nimbly adapted its plans, ramping up the airlift and sending additional troops into the country to aid crisis teams and to enhance security. Around-the-clock flights came into and went out of Afghanistan. Giant cargo planes departed, a number of them packed with as many as 600 occupants. Senior administration officials convened regular meetings with U.S. allies to find destinations for those planes to land and places for the refugees to stay. The State Department tracked down Americans in the country, as well as Afghans who had worked with the U.S., to arrange their passage to the airport. The Special Immigrant Visa program that the Trump administration had slowed down was kicked into high gear. Despite years of fighting, the administration and the military spoke with the Taliban many times to coordinate passage of those seeking to depart to the airport, to mitigate risks as best as possible, to discuss their shared interest in meeting the August 31 deadline.
The process was relentless and imperfect and, as we all have seen in the most horrific way, not without huge risks for those staying behind to help. On August 26, a suicide bomber associated with ISIS-K killed more than 150 Afghans and 13 American service members who were gathered outside the airport. However, even that heinous act didnt deter the military. In a 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday, 12,500 people were airlifted out of the country and the president recommitted to meeting the August 31 deadline. And he did so even as his critics again sought to capitalize on tragedy for their own political gain: Republicans called for the impeachment of Biden and of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Within hours of the attack at the airport, America struck back, killing two terrorists and injuring another with a missile launched from a drone. A separate drone strike targeted a vehicle full of explosives on Sunday. In doing so, Biden countered the argument that America might lack the intelligence or military resources we would need to defend ourselves against violent extremists now that our troops are leaving.
The very last chapter of Americas benighted stay in Afghanistan should be seen as one of accomplishment on the part of the military and its civilian leadership. Once again the courage and unique capabilities of the U.S. armed services have been made clear. And, in a stark change from recent years, an American leader has done the hard thing, the right thing: set aside politics and put both Americas interests and values first.
The process was relentless and imperfect and, as we all have seen in the most horrific way, not without huge risks for those staying behind to help. On August 26, a suicide bomber associated with ISIS-K killed more than 150 Afghans and 13 American service members who were gathered outside the airport. However, even that heinous act didnt deter the military. In a 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday, 12,500 people were airlifted out of the country and the president recommitted to meeting the August 31 deadline. And he did so even as his critics again sought to capitalize on tragedy for their own political gain: Republicans called for the impeachment of Biden and of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Within hours of the attack at the airport, America struck back, killing two terrorists and injuring another with a missile launched from a drone. A separate drone strike targeted a vehicle full of explosives on Sunday. In doing so, Biden countered the argument that America might lack the intelligence or military resources we would need to defend ourselves against violent extremists now that our troops are leaving.
The very last chapter of Americas benighted stay in Afghanistan should be seen as one of accomplishment on the part of the military and its civilian leadership. Once again the courage and unique capabilities of the U.S. armed services have been made clear. And, in a stark change from recent years, an American leader has done the hard thing, the right thing: set aside politics and put both Americas interests and values first.
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Biden Deserves Credit, Not Blame, for Afghanistan (Original Post)
chia
Aug 2021
OP
RKP5637
(67,107 posts)1. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t
Baitball Blogger
(46,703 posts)3. +1
And Rec'ed!
And Rec'ed!
PortTack
(32,762 posts)2. Absolutely!! History will be very kind to President Biden for lots of things..this one in particular
chia
(2,244 posts)6. I think so. No thanks to the feckless media, though
sheshe2
(83,751 posts)4. Last sentence ++++++++++
PatSeg
(47,419 posts)9. Yes, that says it so well
"And, in a stark change from recent years, an American leader has done the hard thing, the right thing: set aside politics and put both Americas interests and values first."
sheshe2
(83,751 posts)11. Thanks for posting it, Pat.
I was on my phone when I read and no clue how to copy and paste.
PatSeg
(47,419 posts)14. Oh you're welcome sheshe
I just thought it was definitely worth repeating. I would have no idea how to do it on a phone either.
UTUSN
(70,686 posts)5. K&R, sending to e-mail circle of wingnut radio talkshow hosts
President Biden is the only person right now with the courage to say and do the right things
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)8. They did a great job after people fell off plane. Don't think they were prepared
before that.
But, I give credit to those who got in gear, and maybe kicked some rears, after the initial embarrassment.
Dopers_Greed
(2,640 posts)10. CNN is just upset because they want us to stay for another 20 years
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)12. Recommended.
Definitely! 100%
Even my far left friends recognize that President Biden is doing the right thing. I could fucking puke when I hear some of the shit on television attacking President Biden for doing the right thing.
a leader all sane people can be very proud of...
Moebym
(989 posts)15. Biden is President of the United States
The interests of the United States must be his priority.