This is what happens when the media and pundits basically write off the Afghans as incompetent and incapable of defending themselves. People who are good at amplifying cultural trends pick up on the alarm and excitement without actually understanding what’s happening there

The Taliban isn’t “on its way to Kabul,” they’re attacking what they can, where they can, opportunistically, something they’re good at. A militia in Mazir-e-Sharif just drove off a Taliban attack by driving around in the streets while brandishing rifles (not an exaggeration)

I get wanting to hold the military industrial complex accountable and am sympathetic to Williamson’s critique of it but her ignorantly and somewhat condescendingly handwaving away Afghan soldiers’ sacrifice as they take the front lines isn’t necessary to make that critique

I understand what you’re saying & I don’t need to be doing that at all. Lacked nuance. I’m very much on record talking about the women of Afghanistan & how our actions, including leaving, should be deeply influenced by their views. But those points don’t exonerate bad US policy.

Nothing can exonerate our bad policy and in many cases extremely bad (even evil) implementation of that policy. Thank you for responding and I appreciate your considering the point I’ve raised.

And pardon my strident tone, I believe that the energy or narrative that we’re creating around the victory of the Taliban is contributing to their success and dispiriting the Afghans, which is why I’m extremely touchy when a prominent voice contributes to that outcome!