EDITOR:

Before Donald Trump left office, he agreed to withdraw U.S and allied troops from Afghanistan by May 1. In exchange, theTaliban promised to stop attacking our troops.There was no agreement to allow the evacuation of other Americans or Afghans, and no agreement for the recovery of U.S. military equipment and weaponry. The Biden administration inherited the Trump agreement, rejected its May 1 deadline and set its own deadline of September 11. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the Afghan military collapsed and the Afghan government fled. By August 31, the U.S military aircraft evacuated 6000 Americans and 120,000 Afghans. The Taliban have been allowing others who wish to leave the country to do so and passengers are are departing the Kabul airport on civilian aircraft.

Critics complain military equipment and weaponry was left behind. Are they troubled that hardware was sacrificed while lives were being saved? Should it have been otherwise? They complain that 100 Americans have been left behind. Do we know who they are? Do we know why they remain in Afghanistan? Whatever the reason, their presence does not diminish the significance of the rescue of 6000 other Americans? The withdrawal from Afghanistan was messy, but war is always messy and second-guessing military strategy and foreign policy involves no risk and is of no consequence. I am glad that the forever war is over and that our troops are safe.

Nino E Green

Escanaba