Afghanistan’s end portends a darker U.S. future

America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is causing the implosion of the Afghan government, a massive humanitarian catastrophe, and a permanent stain on the credibility and honor of the United States.

All of these outcomes were predictable – and indeed predicted. The U.S. administration made its decision with eyes wide open. The calculation, as we have heard several administration spokespeople say, is that this is no longer America’s responsibility, and the Afghans must fight for their own country.

While the human tragedy is the most immediate and heart-rending aspect, it is the damage to America’s position in the world that will matter most in the long run. That this was a conscious U.S. policy decision is mind-boggling. …

Despite frustration over costs, however, the price of withdrawal may be even greater. Not only the Afghan people, but America’s adversaries and allies are all drawing lessons from this decision.

Adversaries will be reinforced in their confidence that the United States does not have the will to win. America may have the resources, but it lacks the determination and stamina to achieve an outcome. To beat America, they will conclude, you just have to wait.

The Biden Administration has defined China as the most important strategic threat to the United States. If a band of brutal Islamist extremists can defeat the United States, China will have no doubt that with time, resources, and good organization, it will also prevail against the United States in its neighborhood. Russia will not take seriously any threat to push back on its military aggression and absorption of territory belonging to its neighbors. ISIS and al-Qaeda will use the Taliban victory to renew calls for jihad against the United States.

Allies will become even more reluctant to commit troops and treasure to an American-led coalition when they know Americans can turn on a dime without so much as consulting those who have put their own soldiers’ lives on the line.

The retribution against those in Afghanistan who took a chance on building democracy, on working with the United States, and on educating women, will be so brutal and public it will deter people all over the world from taking similar risks against authoritarian forces anywhere. …

That not only spells a dark future for the people of Afghanistan — it portends a darker future for the United States as well.