Certainly not the end of the road for the U.S.

What is the issue?

With the withdrawal of US from Afghanistan debate has abruptly shifted to the future of the United States declaring the withdrawal as the demise of America

What is the background of US’s presence in Afghanistan?

• The terrorist bombing of 9/11, which was a game-changing global experience  transformed the geopolitics of the world
• Once the responsibility of the attack was traced to Osama bin Laden and the terrorists in Afghanistan, U.S. retaliated by overthrowing the Taliban regime and hunted out bin Laden

What are the benefits of the U.S. presence?

• The U.S. presence in Afghanistan had succeeded in containing the dangers of terrorism for two decades.
•  Considering that terror attacks and victims worldwide are three to five times higher annually than in 2001 (9/11), the benefits of the American presence should not be underestimated
•  But the cost was high in terms of American money and lives.

How does the withdrawal impact the image of US?

• Some predicts that this  will bring down the curtain on the West’s long ascendency
• Others say that the damage can be limited if U.S. President Joe Biden resigns
• Some complaints that the  U.S. has done the right thing in the wrong way
• Some remarks that the withdrawal may hurt U.S.  President Joe Biden in the presidential election in 2024

What is the contrary view?

• Mr. Biden pointed out, the decision regarding Afghanistan was about “ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries”
• As a true Commander-in-Chief, he stood by his Generals and took the blame
• The President has not even been provoked to attack the Taliban or to criticise the Afghan forces
• The free world has a responsibility to maintain the American leadership of the world till a wiser and more benign alternative is found
• Hence  it looks that the demise of America as reported is greatly exaggerated.

Source: The Hindu