Why Did the Pentagon Agree to the Withdrawal From Afghanistan?

Why Did the Pentagon Agree to the Withdrawal From Afghanistan?
In this handout provided by U.S. Central Command Public Affairs, passengers board a U.S. Air Force C-17 as part of the evacuation from Afghanistan, at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 24, 2021. Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa via Getty Images
Stephen Bryen
Updated:
Commentary

During the Trump administration, the Pentagon vociferously opposed President Donald Trump’s plans to pull out of Afghanistan and Syria. Under the Biden administration, the Pentagon didn’t oppose President Joe Biden’s early withdrawal.

Stephen Bryen
Stephen Bryen
Author
Dr. Stephen Bryen is regarded as a thought leader on technology security policy, twice being awarded the Defense Department’s highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Medal. A Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy, Senior Fellow, Yorktown Institute, his most recent book is “Technology Security and National Power: Winners and Losers.”
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