In this year's Presidential "Race" will ABC David Muir Ask Just 1 Substantive Question....Please!
As the lights dim and the cameras focus on the debate stage, an air of anticipation fills the room.
The moderator, David Muir, clears his throat, his brow furrowed with a mix of trepidation and mischief. He glances at his notes, then looks directly into the camera, a hint of irony in his voice."Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed candidates, we find ourselves in a unique position tonight. Before us stand two individuals who, despite their so called stark differences, share a common thread in the tapestry of recent American history.
Vice President Harris, former President Trump, I have a question that applies equally to both of you."
Muir pauses, savoring the moment of tension. Muir states:
“Under your respective watches, why did you allow the continuation of government waste in sponsoring an illegal, immoral, and unwise war in Afghanistan?"
David Muir’s eyes dart between the candidates, a wry smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Muir continues, his tone dripping with mock sincerity.
"Please, enlighten us on how your administrations justified perpetuating this quagmire. Feel free to employ your finest rhetorical gymnastics excuses to explain away the billions trillions spent, the lives lost, and the strategic blunders made. The American people are all ears."
The 20-year war in Afghanistan stands as a monumental failure of policy, ethics, and fiscal responsibility. This protracted conflict exemplifies the worst excesses of the military-industrial complex and represents an egregious misallocation of public resources.
From a financial perspective, the war's $2.3 trillion price tag is staggering. This astronomical sum, funded largely through debt, placed an enormous burden on American taxpayers while providing windfall profits to defense contractors.
The "culture of endless money" fostered by emergency appropriations and lax oversight enabled rampant waste, fraud, and abuse.
Billions were squandered on ill-conceived reconstruction projects, many of which now lie in ruins.The human toll is equally appalling. Over 240,000 lives were lost, including thousands of American service members, contractors, and civilians.
Countless more suffered life-altering injuries, both physical and psychological. This immense suffering was inflicted in pursuit of ill-defined and constantly shifting strategic objectives.
The war's conduct was marred by a litany of ethical breaches. U.S. officials repeatedly misled the public about the war's progress. Private military contractors, who often outnumbered U.S. troops, operated with minimal accountability.
Their presence fueled corruption and inadvertently provided funding to insurgent groups through protection rackets.
Perhaps most damning is the war's ultimate futility. Despite two decades of occupation and nation-building efforts, Afghanistan rapidly fell to Taliban control upon U.S. withdrawal.
The trillions spent on military equipment, training, and infrastructure yielded no lasting strategic gains.
Mr. Donald Trump and Mrs. Kamala Harris, each of you will have 5 minutes to respond:
You may begin to address your thoughts on if you agree whether the Afghanistan war represents a colossal failure of American policy?
Did this war divert vast resources from pressing domestic needs while enriching defense contractors and fueling corruption?
Were you aware that members of Congress traded stocks over this 20 year period (after classified intelligence briefings) making hundreds of billions of dollars in insider trading schemes?
Elaborate on how the War in Afghanistan The conflict's legacy is one of squandered treasure, shattered lives, and strategic impotence. Do you see this as a stark warning against open-ended military commitments and the dangers of an unchecked war economy?
War in Afghanistan Scoreboard
Total Value
The total value of military equipment left behind is estimated at approximately $7.12 billion.
Aircraft
78 aircraft were left at Kabul airport, though they were demilitarized and rendered inoperable.
This included MD-530 helicopters and A-29 light attack planes.
7 CH-46 Sea Knight transport helicopters were left inoperable.
At least one C-130 Hercules transport plane was abandoned.
Vehicles
Over 40,000 military vehicles remained, including 12,000 Humvees.
70 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) were left disabled.
Weapons and Ammunition
Over 300,000 weapons remained.
Approximately 1,537,000 "specialty munitions" and "common small arms ammunition" valued at $48 million were left.
9,524 air-to-ground munitions valued at $6.54 million remained.
Other Equipment
Nearly all communications equipment, including radio systems and encryption devices.
Almost 42,000 pieces of night vision, surveillance, biometric and positioning equipment.
Nearly all explosive ordnance disposal and demining equipment, including 17,500 pieces.
Concerns
While much of the equipment was reportedly disabled or inoperable, there are concerns that some weapons and gear, particularly small arms, could be used by the Taliban or other militant groups
Reuters: The United States and Iraq have agreed on the withdrawal of American troops - they must leave the Ain al-Asad base by September 2025.
US kicked out of Iraq now?
Two wars for nothing
...nothing but death, destruction and a strengthened military industrial complex