I WATCHED as the Taliban blitzed numerous cities in Afghanistan before eventually surrounding Kabul, while the Biden Administration and the United Nations could do nothing but scold them.
The Americans sent in 3,000 Marines but their task was to help evacuate people, not fight the Taliban. There were also numerous reports and images of embassies burning presumably important papers. Make of that what you will.
Americans have been in Afghanistan since the start of the century, and now they’re re-enacting the fall of Saigon. They had come into Afghanistan claiming that they only wanted to spread liberalism and human rights, plus whatever other rights you can think of.
Whether or not you believe these claims, one thing is certain – America failed. The Taliban have driven them out, and have reestablished their rule over the country.
Former US President Donald Trump had wanted to evacuate the country starting in January and complete the process by May, despite the opposition of numerous US leaders. Joe Biden’s team, perhaps recognizing that his predecessor was correct, has pursued the same policy, though moving the evacuation date to September. Apparently, the Taliban thought they weren’t leaving fast enough.
There is a very important symbolic and political side to America’s failure in Afghanistan. The US, having the most powerful army in the world, was beaten by men in desert robes with AKs. Why?
It’s because ultimately, Afghanistan did not want the Global Post-National system, and the same is true for a growing number of countries in the world (Syria, Russia, Eastern Europe, and, with a caveat, China).
America’s defeat is liberalism’s defeat, and I couldn’t help but feel that this will only escalate America’s internal strain. Its institutions are losing trust among a sizeable part of its voters (mainly Trump loyalists), the coronavirus is rapidly turning into a political war, political radicalization is rising, and now, Afghanistan.
It’s important to remember that, throughout history, failed invasions of Afghanistan have preceded the fall of the invading empires. Will America be next?/PN
