"America's longest war" is over, after almost 20 years. Which means this withdrawal was almost 20 years too late! But better late than never.
Thousands dead. A trillion dollars spent. And in the end, the same group is in control of Afghanistan, again subjecting the people of that country to violations of their basic rights.
What we just saw was the final collapse of a long-standing bi-partisan policy mistake. It was of course begun by a Republican, George Bush. But he had the support of plenty of Democrats at the time. And then it was continued for eight more years by Barack Obama (or, as some now prefer to identify it in other circumstances, the "Obama/Biden administration"). Then Trump, who at least had the right idea in promising to end it, failed to end it during his four years. And now this – a bungling of the pull-out process, by Biden again.
But U.S. troops and military installations are still spread all around the world, ready to get involved in the affairs of other countries whenever a president feels enough pressure to "do something" to protect "American interests". It doesn't matter whether we put a Democrat or a Republican in charge next – they are going to keep making the same mistakes because they refuse to recognize a basic principle of a proper foreign policy. It is not the job of the US government to run the entire world.
From the Libertarian Party 2020 Platform: "American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid."
But U.S. troops and military installations are still spread all around the world, ready to get involved in the affairs of other countries whenever a president feels enough pressure to "do something" to protect "American interests". It doesn't matter whether we put a Democrat or a Republican in charge next – they are going to keep making the same mistakes because they refuse to recognize a basic principle of a proper foreign policy. It is not the job of the US government to run the entire world.
From the Libertarian Party 2020 Platform: "American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid."
We need to be working now to ensure that this message is heard in future elections – first with candidates for Congress coming up in 2022 (when here in California there will be a race for US Senate in addition to every seat in the House), and then for President in 2024.
Joe Dehn
County Chair