Biden’s Chamberlain Moment in Afghanistan

This is an opinion item.

Author(s)	Walter Russell Mead
Source	The Wall Street Journal
Date	August 16, 2021
URL	https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-chamberlain-afghanistan-withdrawal-saigon-jihadist-taliban-kabul-pakistan-11629128451
Quote	The U.S. security establishment dithered for 20 years, unwilling to confront Islamabad effectively or to recognize that failure and change its Afghan policy to accommodate its consequences. As it is, Pakistan—a nuclear power with a record of promoting proliferation and deep ties both to China and to the most hate-filled and murderous jihadist groups—has faced down America and achieved its long-term goal of reinstalling a friendly regime to its north. Whether Pakistan will be happy with its radical neighbor in the long term remains to be seen, but for now Pakistani hard-liners are celebrating the greatest single win in their history.

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This item argues against the position Withdrawal was justified on the topic Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021).

This item argues for the position Withdrawal was poorly executed on the topic Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021).