Is it time for Trump to declare defeat in Afghanistan?

It’s hard to see how things could get much worse as far as American objectives are concerned. The Afghan government we’re backing is hardly up to the task, and neighboring Pakistan still seems prepared to back, at least under the table, the very Taliban that is America’s sworn enemy. Indeed, even the new, young leader of Pakistan Imre Khan has pledged only the most tentative help after meeting with Donald Trump’s personal representative, Zalmil Khalilzad. That meeting came after a bitter Twitter exchange between Trump and Khan, with Trump accusing Pakistan of “not doing a damn thing” to help the U.S. This was followed by a more conciliatory letter from Trump. Pakistan continues to deny it is hosting the Taliban leadership within its borders, while agreeing to see what it might do to arrange peace talks that could allow the U.S. at least a face-saving retreat.

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Were we to pull back, however, the danger is that our enemies may find even more space to regroup and expand. The Taliban, embittered by two decades of battling America, could underwrite a campaign not unlike the one that led Osama bin Laden to launch his horrific attack on the World Trade Center, which in turn brought the U.S. to Afghanistan.

On the other hand, America is more vigilant today, more attuned to such activities and has great capacities to warn and prevent. The billions we have shoveled down that bottomless pit beyond the Durand Line could, if redirected, develop some powerful tools to protect the West.

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