With the withdrawal from Afghanistan, America disgraced itself

Aug 19, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

I note Richard Haass’ Project Syndicate article in SN on Afghanistan (August 17) – and wish to comment as follows:
Richard Haass writes: “American troop levels were down to around 3,000; their role was largely limited to training, advising, and supporting the Afghan forces. There had not been an American combat fatality in Afghanistan since February 2020. The modest US presence was both an anchor for some 8,500 troops from allied countries and a military and psychological backstop for the Afghan government” (End-of-quote).
A mere 3,000 American troops plus 8,500 from allied countries. What’s the big deal over barely a handful of troops? Leave ’em there for 50 years if necessary. (America kept thousands and thousands in Korea and Germany for 75 years and still ongoing).
The Trump and Biden administrations created this whole mess. What was the cost of 3,000 troops? The psychological damage – and the loss of confidence by the Afghan army – precipitated the whole collapse. And paved the way for the return of Taliban’s medieval rule.
Two trillion dollars (mostly for nation building) and 2,500 American soldiers’ lives lost – have already been deemed a sunken cost. But now with the withdrawal, America disgraced itself. To say nothing of the tens of thousands of Afghans whose lives are now in danger. To say nothing of the lost Cause of women and girls – all of whom go back into purdah.
And, the country falls back into medieval Islam. A total waste. An American blunder.

Yours faithfully,
Mike Persaud

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