Opinion | US hectic withdrawal from Afghanistan is an utter failure, not only to US, but also to its alliances

By Edward Hei Leung, DAB Standing Committee Member

"I am deeply saddened by the facts we now face, but I do not regret my decision." US President Biden responded to the worrying situation in Afghanistan on Monday. Given the swift Taliban takeover of the country, together with a series of chaotic retreats by US army, Biden's decision inevitably embarrasses US, the so-called world police, not to mention the rising concerns from its alliances.

Expose US weaknesses to its future enemies

Sad but true, US President Biden betrays his promise once again. In July 8, he promised no reprise of the Saigon moment, the hectic withdrawal from Vietnam war in which helicopters were deployed to evacuate US personnel from the embassy in Saigon, now renamed as Ho Chi Minh City. "The likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely", Biden added. Yet, to me, US retreat does not only reflect the breach of promise, but also the deteriorating control of its military forces upon global if not regional order.

To win a war, of particular concern is the country's intelligence system. Let us recall what Biden administration said in recent months. As New York Times quoted, Biden's intelligence briefing in June illustrated that it would take at least a year and a half before Kabul was threatened. Probably for the display of confidence, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he "would not necessarily equate the departure of forces in July, August, or by early September, in a June hearing. Afterwards, the Washington Post reported that Kabul could be overrun in six to twelve months. Yet, until last week, the intelligence assessment shifted to within 90 days, and possibly as few as 1 month. Ironic though it might be, the Taliban took Kabul within five days of that media report.

Aside from US intelligence system, the rapid capitulation of the Afghan security forces is another big issue to Biden administration. Responding the possible Taliban's takeover of the nation, Biden, in July, chose to hinge on the so-called 300,000 well-equipped Afghan troops. With 83 billion US dollars spent over the past 20 year, can you imagine that they rapidly lose when confronting 75,000 Taliban force? Any corruption inside? What if US officials collude with Afghan troops? Who will be responsible of their frauds then?

A recent survey conducted by Trafalgar Group shows that 69 percent of polled Americans disapprove of Biden's handling of the U.S.'s military presence in the war-torn country. When it comes to Republicans, nearly 89 percent respondents disapprove. Even among democrats, 48 percent Americans disagree with his decision. Undoubtedly, it will take a long while for Biden and his governance to gain the trust of international society, particularly when a majority of Americans disapprove of his handlings in Afghanistan.

In the past, US has already lost two wars to China, namely the Korean and Vietnam war. I doubt if US can defeat China in any foreseeable wars in Asia, especially when China's military force has a stronger power now. Perhaps there will be more US Saigon moment pending ahead.

Afghanistan today, Taiwan tomorrow

Concerned about US determination to safeguard Taiwan, Jaw Shaw-kong, the chairman of Broadcasting Corp of China warned Tsai Ing-wen of her close cooperation with Americans. He also pointed out that Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani chose to flee the country as the Taliban closed in on the capital, and he asked whether Tsai Ing-wen and Su Tseng-chang, the top two Taiwan leaders, would do the same.

In fact, even Tsai Ing-wen repeatedly emphasizes her military modernization program to equip Taiwan troops with advanced, highly mobile weapons. Yet, it does not take much to know that Taiwan's obsolete military weapons continuously put its troops in danger, with increasing casualties and death tolls in recent years. In light of this, is it still advisable for Taiwan to increase tensions and conflicts with China? The answer is crystally clear.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.