[jamorela]

Originally Posted by Wyseguy

It is either incompetence, or uncaring disregard for the lives of US Citizens and Allies who are being abandoned. Regrettably it seems a cold uncaring disregard. When asked about the people falling to their death from planes as they tried to escape the Taliban, Biden said "C'mon man, that was four or five days ago". I can not be too hard on him, as I believe he has a mental issue. Those who defend him on the other hand... Just terrible people. So desperate to make it seem like they have accomplished something that they turn their backs on men, women and children.

"C'mon man, that was four or five days ago".

That was truly unbelievable!

[stadry]

the commander-in-chief has the last word !

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Byte1

AT THE AIRPORT. Not all the military equipment. Just the airport.

compared to what they left already, why bother??

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Bellavita

Sacrifice more young men and women in an in winnable situation? I would make this decision and go back or use leverage to get Americans out. Let’s not forget what we did accomplish 125,000 out that is remarkable. Biden got out period sometimes that exit isn’t pretty.

Same tune if you daughter was left behind??

Women don't stand a chance over there.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by alemorkam

We left a busload of Americans there that wanted out. Decision of our president AND Joint Chief of Staff.

I heard that...............is this true?? I could not find support.

[petiteone]

Originally Posted by MDLNB

There is ALWAYS an emergency evacuation plan for Americans in other countries. And there are ways to contact Americans. Most Americans in country are listed at the embassy and a means of contacting them with an evacuation order is known. The problem is that the plan was not utilized properly, if at all. Americans are instructed ahead of time where to meet for evacuation. It appears that this was not done.
Just my opinion, but this is probably an unusual circumstance where the leader of the country flees, leaving the country in the hands of the enemy. Even so, the evacuation plan should have stipulated such a contingency.
And yes the military has a plan written up for just about every foreign country. When civilians/bureaucrats/congress get in the way of set plans, it is inevitable that we have a catastrophe.

I always enjoy the arm chair quarterbacks who think they could have done better than the professionals. It takes 12 hours to travel (on roads monitored by road bandits, war lords, al-Queda and God knows who ) from some large or remote cities in Afghanistan to Kabul. Not every American registers with the embassy. The Gov warned Americans to start leaving in April. There is a plan to try to remove all left behind 100 known Americans who still want to leave. Some Americans say they want to stay. I spent time there after the invasion 20 yrs ago on a medical mission and there is danger everywhere.

[Geodyssey]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

What is the logic of leaving Americans and Allies behind???

If it's political, just state "political" and let the thread live.

Otherwise, what is the logic???

People first, Equipment second, Troops last seem logical.

The logic? The US lost the war, so was forced out by the winners. Just like Vietnam.

Don't worry, the US & friends will find another war soon. Lots more money to be made.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by alemorkam

We left a busload of Americans there that wanted out. Decision of our president AND Joint Chief of Staff. If that bus had 50 marines would they have made the same decision to leave them there?

What?! No photo?

[newgirl]

Nobody has said that they just left anyone there. I believe what I heard from all sources that we are still going to get them out if they want out.
Wish folks listened to facts not entertainers for news.

[Byte1]

No bus load of Americans left behind photo available or found, but how about equipment and service dogs? Sure hope the dogs are taken care of properly. Pretty sure that the Talban will not eat them, but hopefully they won't abuse them either.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

So much easier said than done. Once we began to withdraw our military and Afghan employees, the “government” we set up and the army we equipped and claimed we had trained began to quickly collapse as the result. Withdrawing before every single person who wanted to be removed from the country was impossible as soon as we lost control of the country and those desiring to leave couldn’t safely gain access to the airport.

The Taliban essentially won the conflict when the terms of our surrender were documented in the Doha Agreement agreed to by president Trump in 2020, then worsened when president Biden announced the specific date when we would leave.

Once our political leaders made those mistakes, the sequence of withdrawal you suggest became impossible. It was amazing that we were able to get as many people safely out of the country as we did. But our failure to fulfill the promises we made to the Afghans who were loyal to us for years won’t be forgotten by those with whom we attempt to make future agreements. Afghanistan will be another important reason why the reliability and consistency of U.S. foreign policy is mistrusted.

I wonder why the US did NOT wait until the WINTER to leave - because the Taliban prefer to FIGHT in the SUMMER?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by kenoc7

There is no doubt. that it wasn't incompetence. It was the situation overtaking all reasonable contingency planning.

I am sure that there is a LOT of truth there. I still wonder about why we didn't wait until the WINTER TO WITHDRAW?

[Bill Dozer]

If the Military Advisers came up with that Plan, they should be court marshaled. If the brainless idiot in the White House ignored their expertise, he should be impeached. He voted against the Military Plans to evacuate VN in the 70's and he probably recalled that decision.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

If the Military Advisers came up with that Plan, they should be court marshaled. If the brainless idiot in the White House ignored their expertise, he should be impeached. He voted against the Military Plans to evacuate VN in the 70's and he probably recalled that decision.

I can't imagine our Military minds came up with this plan.

I can't imagine "we" didn't see the Taliban taking over the countryside rapidly.

[Chi-Town]

Consider Afghanistan a sand trap. You got yourself in there, and now you want to get out. You hit a shot that flies the green and think to yourself "well, out is out". As you move on to the subsequent holes you try to avoid the sand traps. But you never do.