LETTER: Understanding recent events at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan surrounding the mass evacuation of US Forces and civilians from the country, is never an easy task.
Two scenarios focussing on the exercise of the four-points matrix of power by the United States since the '9/11' events in New York on September 9, 2001, can be helpful.
Included in the power matrix are firstly, the United States will no longer stand for another 9/11 to happen on her soil and will move to cancel out such an opportunity whenever and wherever it could appear.
Secondly, democracy and the rule of law must be encouraged around the world and efforts will be pursued to support movements towards ensuring their primacy around the world.
Thirdly, the United States will spare no efforts to attain a greatness for the country under all circumstances. And fourthly, the need to secure allies and coalitions that can work together for the common interests of the United States and the Alliance.
Following from the above, one such scenario can be developed. It can be based on the cost of the 'war' in Afghanistan for the United States and its Allies in financial and human terms. It would have to be remembered the United States had been fighting in Afghanistan for the last 20 years since September 9, 2001.
This was undertaken in pursuit of going after the so-called '9/11 terrorists', the Al-Qaeda, recognised by the United States as the perpetrators of the '9/11' attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001.
It has become a known fact the Al-Qaeda had been operating out of Iraq but later after Iraq had fallen, it moved to Afghanistan and joined forces with the Taliban. After years of fighting the Taliban, United States had succeeded in installing a friendly government.
But since President Biden came into office, it was realised that there would have to be other items that should be on his administration's agenda. Of significance there would have to be a move to rebuild infrastructure and improve the economy and upgrade the defence capability.
All these were thought as being essential towards making 'America Great Again'. It was thought, only then could Biden provide a more powerful meaning to his favourite slogan, "America is Back". Hence, going ahead to withdraw the American troops out of Afghanistan was believed to have been the right decision.
Based on an analysis of the situation on the ground inside Afghanistan however, what had transpired was that the decision to evacuate by the United States had been taken in haste without the proper planning and preparation having been carried out.
Towards meeting the President's demand, acting out from a position of dominance and greatness, little attention had been given by American forces on the ground, to avoid a humanitarian crisis that could spill over into a bloodbath pitting Afghans against Afghans.
While several countries in Europe and the surrounding regions could see an exodus of Afghan refugees making their way in, concerns have also been expressed that another Islamic Republic, would be about to emerge in the Middle East region. For accountability purposes both at home and abroad, as required of the power matrix referred to above, the United States would have to explain this 'bungling' to the world.
A second scenario can also be considered. The United States since the end of the Second World War in 1945, has always sought to establish democracy and the rule of law around the world.
For this to happen various Presidents especially from Bush, Obama, Trump and now Biden, their various Administrations have pursued policies with governments around the world in support of movements towards ensuring the primacy of these two elements.
Through such assistance: financial, security and economic, to friendly governments, the United States will spare no efforts to attain a greatness for the country under all circumstances and hence the need to secure allies and coalitions that can work together for the common interests of the United States and
the Alliance.
The Afghanistan example has certainly provided some useful lessons for the Biden Administration.
DR AZHARI-KARIM
Former Malaysian Ambassador
Kuala Lumpur
ok