Introduction:
After nearly two decades of army presence, the United States
made the decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. This withdrawal
process began during the administration of President Donald Trump and continued
under the rule of President Joe Biden.
The withdrawal was marked by a series of challenges and
criticisms. And now, another time, this has come under intense scrutiny, as US
State Department reports monitor a loss of planning and coordination of
American management that contributed to the speedy fall apart of the
Western-backed government of Afghanistan and the Taliban's insurgency. This
article examines the critical findings of a recent US report, highlighting the
failures of both the Trump and Biden administrations in effectively managing
the withdrawal. Additionally, it explores the losses incurred by the United
States and the broader implications for its role in Afghanistan.
US State Department Report:
The review report was conducted by the United States State
Department, which emphasizes the poor planning and lack of preparation by both
former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in the withdrawal of troops
from Afghanistan.
The report highlighted that decisions by Presidents Biden
and Trump to withdraw American forces had serious consequences for the
viability of the Afghan government. Insufficient planning of withdrawal and
lack of coordination between the concerned department led to the collapse of
the Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF), eroding their morale
and leaving them poorly equipped to combat the Taliban. The report also
criticized the failure to create an independent and sustainable Afghan security
force.
Key Findings of the Report:
Insufficient senior-level consideration of worst-case
scenarios: The report finds that during both administrations (Trump and
Biden), there was a lack of senior-level consideration of potential worst-case
scenarios in Afghanistan.
Failure to establish a crisis-management task force:
The document also criticized that the State Department ought to have a
crisis-management task force to keep an eye on the ever-converting situations
in Afghanistan, in particular within the occasion of an evacuation of US
military troops.
Lack of Preparation: The report highlighted how
insufficient and inadequate planning, by the US military and administration,
caused the Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF) to disintegrate
and surrender so quickly. The decision to withdraw troops without a
comprehensive plan resulted in a morale-crushing blow to the ANSF and left them
ill-equipped to defend against the Taliban.
Lack of coordination between the State Department and the
Pentagon: The failure to develop effective collaboration between the State
Department and the Pentagon during the evacuation process was criticized by the
report for both the Trump and Biden administrations. The lack of a
crisis-management task force and senior-level consideration of worst-case
scenarios contributed to the chaotic nature of the withdrawal.
Criticism of the Trump Administration: In the report,
the Trump Administration is criticized for failing to fully deal with issues
related to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and for neglecting to make
preparations for the withdrawal of American troops.
Losses Incurred by the United States:
Afghan Government Collapse: The internationally backed
Afghan government collapsed as the Taliban swiftly took control of Kabul,
leading to the fleeing of then-President Ashraf Ghani. The report highlights
the serious consequences of the decisions made by both President Biden and his
predecessor, President Trump, for the viability of the US-backed Afghan
government.
Humanitarian Crisis: The chaotic withdrawal resulted
in a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of desperate Afghans attempting to
flee the country. Tragically, the suicide bombing by the Afghanistan branch of
ISIL near Kabul airport claimed the lives of at least 175 people, including 13
US service members.
Abandoned Weapons and Equipment: According to the
report, the Taliban were given access to exploit almost $7 billion
in weaponry and equipment, including cars, ammunition, aircraft, and
specialized equipment. The instability of the region is seriously threatened by
this loss of military equipment, and there are also questions regarding
the possible misuse of these resources.
The Role of the Trump Administration:
The report
highlights that the Trump Administration's peace deal with the Taliban in 2020
played a pivotal role in the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The
decision to initiate the process of troop withdrawal without ensuring a stable
environment undermined the efforts of the Afghan government and security
forces.
Conclusion:
The US report's scathing assessment of the poor planning and
coordination surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan places blame on both
the Trump and Biden administrations. The rapid fall of the US-backed Afghan
government, the insurgency of the Taliban, and the lack of American lives and
weaponry are direct consequences and evidence of the failures of the United
States authorities in Afghanistan. To move forward, an in-depth evaluation
of US decision-making in Afghanistan is required to learn from these mistakes
and prevent similar results in the future.
