The Wall Street Journal editorial board has launched a scathing critique of Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on the Afghanistan withdrawal, which marked its third anniversary on Monday. The anniversary coincides with the deadly terrorist bombing that claimed the lives of 13 American service members during the chaotic exit from the country.
In a statement, Harris defended President Joe Biden’s decision to end the war, calling it “courageous and right.” However, the WSJ editorial board strongly disagrees, characterizing the withdrawal as a catastrophic failure.
The board cites the testimony of Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who commanded Central Command at the time of the withdrawal. In a recent podcast appearance, McKenzie warned that the collapse of Afghanistan has far-reaching consequences, including the emboldening of adversaries like Vladimir Putin and the Chinese government.
McKenzie also noted that the withdrawal has enabled the resurgence of terrorist groups like ISIS-K, which has already carried out attacks in Moscow. He emphasized that the US has lost its ability to gather intelligence on Afghanistan, making it difficult to apply pressure on the region.
The WSJ editorial board argues that the Biden administration was warned about the dangers of a hasty withdrawal, but chose to proceed anyway. The board concludes that the tragic loss of American lives was only the beginning of a larger failure, one that has undermined the US’s ability to deter adversaries worldwide. Harris’s refusal to acknowledge this failure, the board suggests, raises concerns about her potential presidency.
