Who’s to blame for the deaths of soldiers during our withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Former President Donald Trump’s decision to negotiate directly with the Taliban, bypassing the democratically elected Afghan government, marked a significant betrayal of our commitment to democracy and stability in Afghanistan.
By sidelining the Afghan government, the U.S. undermined the very institutions it had spent nearly two decades trying to build and legitimize.
This move not only weakened the Afghan government’s authority but also emboldened the Taliban, sending a clear message that their violence and extremism could yield political gains.
Under the terms of the Doha Agreement, the Afghan government was compelled to release 5,000 of the most dangerous Taliban fighters, many of whom had committed heinous acts against Afghan civilians and U.S. forces.
This concession was made without any guarantees of lasting peace or a commitment from the Taliban to reduce violence.
Predictably, many of these fighters rejoined the Taliban’s ranks, contributing to the swift collapse of the Afghan government following the U.S. withdrawal.
Furthermore, by negotiating a definitive date for the removal of all U.S. and NATO troops, the Trump administration set the stage for the Taliban’s rapid resurgence.
The absence of a credible security force left the Afghan government vulnerable, leading to the tragic scenes of chaos and desperation as the Taliban reclaimed control.
In turning his back on Afghanistan’s elected government, Trump not only jeopardized the future of the Afghan people but also compromised the credibility of U.S. foreign policy and its commitment to democratic principles.
Brian Berry
Sequim