Afghanistan War isn’t over; it’s moved closer to home

The headline reads: “Last US troops depart Afghanistan, ending America’s longest war after 20 years” (Aug. 31). This view is as shortsighted as it is wrong. The war was, at its roots, an exercise in denying terrorists means and refuge in their campaign against the West in general and the U.S. in particular.

Our frantic and chaotic removal had more in common with the last desperate moments of the Titanic than with any kind of considered withdrawal, and it will be seen by our enemies as nothing but an abject retreat and an undeniable sign of weakness.

In the process, we abandoned tons of military supplies and equipment, friends and compatriots, and even American citizens. Anybody who thinks that those assets will not be turned against us to commit violence and extortion is naive at best and dangerously ignorant at worst.

In saying this, I do not mean to disparage the service members on the ground or otherwise involved in the evacuation. They performed heroically under the awful conditions and intense threat foisted on them by the failures of their leadership. Their valor, motivation, stamina and skill are beyond question. Their leadership is unworthy of their sacrifice.

What has happened is that we have given our enemies the means, motive and opportunity to continue their attacks against us. We have also raised serious concern among our allies as to our competency of action and commitment to principles and agreements. After all, can any nation that will abandon its own citizens to an unknown fate in a hostile land be counted on for anything when the chips are down?

No, the war is not over. The front lines have just been moved much closer to home.