Biden Should Stick to His Guns on Pulling Out of Afghanistan
We’ve heard this before but will it actually happen this time?
Biden has announced plans to pull the remaining troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, saying that “it’s time to end the forever war.” Biden is the fourth US president to oversee this two-decade war, and is not the first to voice plans of pulling out. There is also good reason to be doubtful when it comes to Biden’s word on these issues. However, considering that he apparently had his own change of mind on Afghanistan specifically during his tenure as VP, it seems relatively safe to take him at his word on his intentions this time. Unfortunately, it may not be so easy if others have their way, and September is a long way off.
The War in Afghanistan has been called “the United States’ longest and most unjust war,” and there are those who would have it continue. Some of Biden’s own top advisors have objected to his move, as have the usual cadre of establishment neocons from both the red and blue teams, and their friends from the military-industrial complex. Their song remains the same as it has been for years, and by now we know every verse: we’re putting ourselves and our allies at risk, the Afghan government can’t make it without our help, there’s still work to be done on human rights in the region… you know…
