President Biden made the right strategic decision on Afghanistan: here’s why. Written by Bruce Wolpe, US political contributor for Ticker NEWS.
Despite criticism, US President Biden made the right decision to end the war in Afghanistan and bring American troops home.
WOLPE ON BIDEN’S GRIP ON THE CHAOS IN AFGHANISTAN
Moreover, he ended it for the right reasons. After 20 years, thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded. The US has incurred over a trillion dollars in costs.
The objective of removing Afghanistan as a terrorist threat to the homeland and US allies had been long achieved, and the nation-building efforts could go no further.
Yet when the moment of truth for the Afghan government and armies arrived, with the Taliban sweeping the county, the Afghan president fled and their forces dispersed.
WOLPE ON WHAT IS NEXT FOR BIDEN
But the tactical execution of the decision has fallen terribly short, as the world has witnessed over the past several days.
What we saw in Afghanistan just two weeks ago was a real-world intelligence failure playing out in real time.
If US intelligence hadn’t assured Biden, he wouldn’t have told the American people in July that the agonising crisis of Saigon in 1975 wouldn’t be repeated in Afghanistan.
This failure in intelligence is why Biden, US allies across the world and those who served the cause in Afghanistan are facing this crisis today
The only solution – Biden’s imperative – is to bring this humanitarian ordeal to a successful conclusion.
And a successful conclusion can only be achieved by firmly getting a grip on security on the ground in Kabul for those who need to be evacuated to minimise any further loss of life.
The worst-case, catastrophic scenario would be if the Taliban or other terror groups killed or took hostages from those seeking freedom in the West. Such a terrorist threat is real
In his remarks to the country this morning, Biden restated his firm conviction about the war in Afghanistan.
“I think history will record this was the logical, rational, right decision to make.”
This morning, Biden outlined a series of measures underway to safely evacuate those needing to leave the country. After this, they will be processed in a third country.
WOLPE ON BIDEN’S AUGUST 31 EXIT FROM AFGHANISTAN
Despite this, Biden acknowledged there was still a long way to go.
In raw political terms, Biden has taken a hit from this crisis
While not a surprise in the wake of days of headlines of the chaos in Kabul, Biden’s approval has slid to at or under 50% in most polls.
While his decision to exit Afghanistan is popular (60%+), Biden’s handling of the crisis is far lower.
This crisis has severely tested his foreign policy team and America’s relationship with its allies, especially in Europe
But there is no good time for a crisis. This one is unfolding as Congress begins to return from its summer break to take decisive votes on Biden’s enormous domestic political agenda.
Biden’s fate rests on completing the exit from Afghanistan successfully, and winning votes in Congress on his agenda.
As could be seen today, this president is not short of confidence in adversity. He will need every ounce of it he has.
Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.
Musk-Led Department slashes DEI grants while Transportation Secretary seeks tech innovation.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has eliminated over $370 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants at the Department of Education within just 48 hours.
In a post on X, DOGE revealed that 70 DEI training grants were terminated, marking the latest move in its effort to cut federal spending.
This follows another major budget reduction last week when DOGE slashed $881 million in Department of Energy contracts, including more than $100 million allocated to DEI programs.
The sweeping cuts signal a broader initiative under the Trump administration to curb what it considers excessive government spending.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday as part of an effort to modernize U.S. air travel.
Duffy, who has been vocal about the need for infrastructure reform, stated that President Trump has tasked him with developing a world-class air traffic control system.
He has also called on American tech developers and businesses to contribute their expertise to the initiative.
With DOGE rapidly restructuring federal expenditures and the administration emphasizing private-sector partnerships in public services, the coming months could see further policy shifts.
Critics argue that these moves may reduce funding for key programs, while supporters praise them as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility.
Oz Sultan, the Chief Strategist with the Sultan Interactive Group joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.
Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.
In Short
A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.
The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.
Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.
The flight had originated from Minneapolis.
Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.
One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.
Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.
The flight had originated from Minneapolis.
Further details are not currently available.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.
China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.
In Short
The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.
This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.
In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.
The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.
The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.
Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters
Sole government
The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.
Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.
China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.