Quote (Goomshill @ Aug 19 2021 07:54pm)
Sounds like another example of image over substance. That's what happened. We abandoned Afghanistan to the Taliban, we just did it in a messy and disorganized way. Our image as a country took a shellacking. Biden is taking political damage. Is it somehow worth the chaos that he could have taken more criticism if it appeared to be an intentional and coordinated retreat instead of a leaderless rout?
I mean whats the difference here. Biden can be a leader and take flak for it but cut our countries losses and save lives and geopolitical position, or he can be an empty suit and take less flak for it
We gave the Afghans a chance to fight for their country, and they failed miserably. I'm not sure I see a huge distinction between image and substance... the substance would be abandoning an ally we've tried to build up for 20 years to an enemy Americans have been killed by and wounded by for 20 years, and that would rightly hurt America's image, and Biden's image.
I also don't know how you can presume to know that had we completely abandoned the Afghans to their fate of losing to the Taliban, it would've gone smoothly.