Would It Be Wise to Withdraw from Afghanistan?
With less than two months left in his presidency, President Trump is making bold moves on the international stage, and may possibly make good on his promise to withdraw the lion’s share of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. Is Trump cementing his legacy by moving to end this protracted foreign engagement? Or is he just creating a mess for Biden? More at The Week.
The Trump administration has taken laudable steps toward a U.S. exit… an American withdrawal does not have to mean ending financial support for the Afghan people or leaving the region in chaos. The United States has a moral obligation to work with regional partners to try to clean up the mess we are leaving behind.
…a complete withdrawal would likely have devastating results. The war in Afghanistan would dramatically escalate, with the burden largely falling on innocent Afghan citizens. Although the imminent threat from terrorist groups—including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State—is sometimes overstated, the chaos that would follow a total U.S. withdrawal would give them room to reestablish their capabilities.
Americans are divided on many matters, but they will overwhelmingly welcome a decision to end the war in Afghanistan — regardless of whom they voted for on Election Day.