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You are being downvoted heavily and I know it’s against HN etiquette to meta comment like this, but it feels worthwhile. I don’t even think you are wrong. Howev

You are being downvoted heavily and I know it’s against HN etiquette to meta comment like this, but it feels worthwhile. I don’t even think you are wrong. However clumsily this is going it’s not even hindsight to say this was a probable and even a more likely outcome. Realistically, there wasn’t much Biden could have done, unless we endorsed another trillion plus dollars to maybe effect some change that would let a more democratic government possibly survive. It was always a tall order. The military industrial complex thrives on this permawar and it’s a net loss because that machine is greased with blood and pain.

busymom0 5y ago
We are not talking about the likely outcome or whether US should have stayed longer. Obviously this was the likely outcome and leaving was the right move. But the way they left is a complete disaster. The proper order to pull out is to: 1. Remove the diplomats, embassy staff, translators and other Afghani helpers who were promised safety in return of helping the Americans first. 2. Remove the military equipment - guns, drones, choppers, humvees etc second so that it doesn't fall in the Taliban's hands. At least destroy these equipment if it can't be logistically brought back. Destroy the bases so Taliban can't use them. 3. Lastly pull out the droops as all the important soft targets have already been taken out. These 3 should have been done in winter before May (original deal was for May) because the Taliban has problems in the winter weather. Instead of this order, they did the exact opposite. US sat on its ass, didn't remove the soft targets or even take care of those who helped the US. US just pulled out the troops and we ended up with videos of Afghanis running and falling off of aeroplanes and Taliban getting hold of humvees and choppers. And since summer time is when Taliban is at its easiest to move around, the airports have also been taken over. And now to take out the soft targets, they have sent 9000 troops back in along with the UK. The Afghanis who had helped Americans for 2 decades got abandoned and are now gonna get killed by the Taliban.

busymom0 5y ago

We are not talking about the likely outcome or whether US should have stayed longer. Obviously this was the likely outcome and leaving was the right move. But the way they left is a complete disaster. The proper order to pull out is to: 1. Remove the diplomats, embassy staff, translators and other Afghani helpers who were promised safety in return of helping the Americans first. 2. Remove the military equipment - guns, drones, choppers, humvees etc second so that it doesn't fall in the Taliban's hands. At least destroy these equipment if it can't be logistically brought back. Destroy the bases so Taliban can't use them. 3. Lastly pull out the droops as all the important soft targets have already been taken out. These 3 should have been done in winter before May (original deal was for May) because the Taliban has problems in the winter weather. Instead of this order, they did the exact opposite. US sat on its ass, didn't remove the soft targets or even take care of those who helped the US. US just pulled out the troops and we ended up with videos of Afghanis running and falling off of aeroplanes and Taliban getting hold of humvees and choppers. And since summer time is when Taliban is at its easiest to move around, the airports have also been taken over. And now to take out the soft targets, they have sent 9000 troops back in along with the UK. The Afghanis who had helped Americans for 2 decades got abandoned and are now gonna get killed by the Taliban.