Abandoning Afghanistan

The impact of America’s capitulation to the Taliban.
Winter Presents New, Dire Challenges for Afghanistan’s Women

A harsh winter has descended upon Afghanistan. Everyone who is still there is now trapped, in hiding, and cold, very cold.
Taliban Closes In As Desperate Afghan Women Await Rescue

In Bamiyan province, through which the Silk Road once flourished and the towering statues of Buddha once stood, an Afghan woman’s naked body has just been found.
The State Department’s Failed Diplomacy in the Middle East

The State Department motto, “Diplomacy In Action,” has always seemed vainglorious, and after seven months of Joe Biden at the helm, a rebranding seems in order.
After 20 Sept. 11 Anniversaries, the Sleeping Giant Nods Off Again

We’re back to Sept. 10, 2001, except that both our enemies and our allies are now watching the American giant return to his slumber. Expect serious repercussions to follow.
Israel and Region Continue to Feel Reverberations of 9/11 Two Decades Later

What began as Israeli intelligence assistance against Al-Qaeda grew into larger cooperation against ISIS • Devastating attacks transformed America’s view of international terrorism • Whether Afghanistan again turns into Sunni terror hub an open question.
Instead of Surrendering to Taliban, Biden could have Declared Victory

The real shame is that the president, in his zeal to “end the war,” never figured out that the United States had effectively already won it.
Taliban Calls the Shots as America’s Humiliation Continues

Earlier in his career, Biden appeared to grasp that America has dangerous and determined enemies who cannot be appeased. What changed his mind?
Afghanistan: Chronicle of a Failure Foretold

One can only hope that the 2021 Taliban has learned the lessons of both the 2001 Taliban and Islamic State.