There are many reasons for our failure but, I believe that the retreat from Bagram air base on July 2, 2021, will be remembered as one of the blackest days in US military history. Our forces left in the middle of the night without telling our Afghan “allies”. This stark act of cowardness is without parallel in the history of our nation. By comparison, the Soviet general in charge of their withdrawal made sure he was the last man to leave the country. He did this on foot, in broad daylight. No coward he. In the history of warfare few acts of betrayal equals this sad event. The forces even turned off the electricity as they slunk out the door. I believe this event can be seen as a catalyst for the disintegration of the Afghan Army. It clearly pointed out that they were written off and could expect no further meaningful assistance no matter what the politicians and Pentagon brass said back in Washington. If there is justice in this world someone, or many someones should be held accountable. The British executed Admiral Bing for failing to do his utmost and to make an example for future commanders. We will not and cannot do that because there is no law against stupidity, but I think public naming and shaming at the very least is in order. This includes politicians and bureaucrats who were part of the chain of command who authorized this shameful act.
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What happened to Afghanistan?
Addendum to my previous comments: The abandonment of Bagram was a tactical as well as a strategic mistake. We lost the use of the airbase's vastly superior multiple runways. The base held housing and other facilities that could have quickly been brought back on line to serve refugees instead of leaving them to bake in 100 degree heat on the tarmac of Kabul Airport, and lastly we lost control of the prison holding 5,000 Taliban, ISIS, and Al Qaeda prisoners. The effects of their release will be felt for years to come.