Biden administration still has responsibilities toward Afghanistan

By Kentaro Nakajima / Bureau Chief, General Bureau of the Americas

18:42 JST, August 17, 2021

As the Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday, U.S. TV stations repeatedly broadcast footage of U.S. Embassy staff being evacuated by helicopter on April 30, 1975, amid the chaos when the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell at the end of the Vietnam War.

Despite many casualties, the United States failed to achieve its goal in the Vietnam War of stopping communism from spreading in Southeast Asia. It can be described as a symbol of a failed foreign policy, in which the United States made errors in judgment.

There is growing opinion in the United States that the “Fall of Kabul” is the biggest mistake to be made by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden since its inauguration.

Why did Biden rush to withdraw U.S. troops? In addition to his opposition to stationing U.S. military for purposes other than rooting out terrorists and to involvement in Afghanistan’s nation-building, Biden undeniably wanted to end the “longest war in U.S. history” before the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

His decision was also supported by U.S. public opinion against the war on terror, with over 60% of the public approving of the withdrawal.

Biden is the fourth U.S. president to lead the war against terrorism started by Republican President George W. Bush. Biden’s insufficient understanding of the situation cannot be denied since his hasty withdrawal has created a power vacuum, but the United States did not have the national strength or public support to continue the war, which shows no sign of ending.

The Afghan government made scant progress toward democracy despite support from the international community, including the United States. It collapsed instantly and the nation is returning to the Taliban’s control.

However, this may not be just a return to square one. The Biden administration has said the United States will lead the bloc that champions democracy to counter the authoritarianism in such countries as Russia and China that have been pronounced over the past 20 years. If the United States gives up on Afghanistan, trust in the United States would certainly be undermined and authoritarian forces would likely gain strength.

Should Afghanistan again become a hotbed of terrorism, or the country come under the influence of non-democratic forces, it will fuel global instability.

What can be done to alleviate the chaos? The United States still has responsibilities it must fulfill in this regard.