Sandy Shanks
Gold Member
- Jul 10, 2018
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After 20 years, 6,294 dead Americans, over 20,000 wounded, and $2 trillion the Afghan War is finally over, and it involved the largest airlift in American history. It was estimated in July that 70,000 Afghans would have to be evacuated (see post above). 122,000 people were evacuated, 6,000 of which were Americans.
President Obama wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. He failed.
President Trump wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. He failed.
President Biden wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. Biden succeeded.
USA Today reports, "The final U.S. troops in Afghanistan flew out of Kabul Monday at 3:29 p.m. EDT, ending a costly 20-year occupation that started after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and leaving a war-torn country now run by the Taliban.
"The withdrawal, announced by the Pentagon, came one minute before Aug. 31 Kabul time, keeping the U.S. in the country right up until a deadline set by President Joe Biden's administration."
“Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended," Biden said in a statement, calling it the "unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned."
The sudden surrender by the Afghan army complicated matters for Biden as did an Afghan suicide bomber who murdered thirteen Americans and 170 Afghans.
USA Today continued, "The pullout capped a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops that was upended after the Taliban quickly took over the Afghan government this month. It turned deadly when a terrorist attack killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians on Thursday as the U.S. scrambled to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies in the final days."
"Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001." said Maj. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr.
While 6,000 Americans were able to get out, apparently 250 didn't get the memo. They are still in Afghanistan and, supposedly, they want out. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken promises to work with the Taliban to get those Americans and others out. There is an economic advantage for the Taliban to work with the U.S. and its allies. The Taliban needs us more than we need them.
President Biden deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.
President Obama wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. He failed.
President Trump wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. He failed.
President Biden wanted to end the war in Afghanistan. Biden succeeded.
USA Today reports, "The final U.S. troops in Afghanistan flew out of Kabul Monday at 3:29 p.m. EDT, ending a costly 20-year occupation that started after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and leaving a war-torn country now run by the Taliban.
"The withdrawal, announced by the Pentagon, came one minute before Aug. 31 Kabul time, keeping the U.S. in the country right up until a deadline set by President Joe Biden's administration."
“Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended," Biden said in a statement, calling it the "unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned."
The sudden surrender by the Afghan army complicated matters for Biden as did an Afghan suicide bomber who murdered thirteen Americans and 170 Afghans.
USA Today continued, "The pullout capped a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops that was upended after the Taliban quickly took over the Afghan government this month. It turned deadly when a terrorist attack killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians on Thursday as the U.S. scrambled to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies in the final days."
"Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001." said Maj. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr.
While 6,000 Americans were able to get out, apparently 250 didn't get the memo. They are still in Afghanistan and, supposedly, they want out. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken promises to work with the Taliban to get those Americans and others out. There is an economic advantage for the Taliban to work with the U.S. and its allies. The Taliban needs us more than we need them.
President Biden deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.