Veterans Critique US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

As Afghanistan marks the third anniversary of the withdrawal of coalition forces, the Taliban celebrated their regained power with parades, while many citizens observed in despair. Crowds in Kabul displayed anti-American sentiments, showcasing Soviet-era tanks and abandoned U.S. weapons, highlighting the regime's oppressive policies that have reversed the rights of Afghans by two decades. Marine veteran Christopher Izant reflected on the inevitability of the Taliban's return, citing a history of disengagement from the situation that led to the current despair. Meanwhile, the Biden administration's withdrawal strategy has faced scrutiny, particularly the decision to abandon Bagram airbase, which was seen as vital for supporting Afghan allies. The chaotic exit of Afghan leaders, including President Ghani, has raised questions about accountability for vast sums of missing funds, with reports indicating he may have left with significant amounts of cash. Lieutenant General Sami Sadat criticized the U.S. decision-making process, attributing the collapse of the Afghan government to the failures of both the Obama and Biden administrations.