The fiasco in Afghanistan is a grave blow to America’s standing
And much of the blame lies squarely with Joe Biden
IF THE PROPAGANDISTS of the Taliban had scripted the collapse of America’s 20-year mission to reshape Afghanistan, they could not have come up with more harrowing images. As insurgents swept into Kabul, desperate Afghans, terrified about what the victorious zealots might do, chased departing American cargo planes down the runway, trying to clamber into the landing gear and inevitably falling to their deaths. The American-backed government had surrendered without a fight—something that American officials were insisting would not happen only days before. Afghans were left in such a horrifying bind that clinging to the wheels of a hurtling aircraft seemed their best option.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Biden’s debacle”
Leaders August 21st 2021
- The fiasco in Afghanistan is a grave blow to America’s standing
- Regardless of how covid-19 spread, the world needs to prevent lab leaks
- Central banks should make clear what QE is for, and then reverse it
- How American retailers have adapted to the Amazon effect
- Americans are moving to a region plagued by a 22-year drought
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