The Afghan Disaster: Notes on a War, a Withdrawal, and a Murky, Anxious Future

The Afghan withdrawal is a disaster — a humiliation for the United States, and an instance of dishonor. This will have a negative effect for a long time to come.

• The origins of the Afghan War are poorly remembered. War was not inevitable. The United States did not want to go to war in Afghanistan. We gave the Taliban a choice, an ultimatum: Give up al-Qaeda, thus sparing yourselves invasion, overthrow, and exile; or be invaded, overthrown, and exiled. The Taliban chose the latter.

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Heather Wolf

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The Afghan withdrawal is a disaster — a humiliation for the United States, and an instance of dishonor. This will have a negative effect for a long time to come.

• The origins of the Afghan War are poorly remembered. War was not inevitable. The United States did not want to go to war in Afghanistan. We gave the Taliban a choice, an ultimatum: Give up al-Qaeda, thus sparing yourselves invasion, overthrow, and exile; or be invaded, overthrown, and exiled. The Taliban chose the latter.