Is the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the right policy? And will abandoning the country ultimately cost more American lives than staying? And who’s really to blame for the mess that’s unfolding? Skye talks with David French about these issues and more in this special bonus interview.
French is the senior editor of The Dispatch, an attorney, the author of numerous books, and an Iraq War veteran. This bonus episode features the first half of Skye’s hour-long conversation with David French. The full 60-minute interview is available exclusively for Holy Post Patreon supporters.
Full Interview with David French: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55322869
The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com
Three stages of recent events in Afghanistan [2:26] Moral obligation to Afghans left behind [3:42] https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/when-never-again-becomes-again-and
Response to refugee resettlement objections [8:53] Afghan armies and US military support [16:26] https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/when-the-strongest-tribe-leaves https://www.amazon.com/Strongest-Tribe-Politics-Endgame-Iraq/dp/0812978668
Effect of US withdrawal on future US military credibility [21:12] Who’s really to blame? [26:21]
My kids and I absolutely love your podcasts (they’re 12, 9 & 7), and this was a good, concise picture of the horrible situation in Afghanistan. I had a friend send this post from the libertarIan vice presidential candidate , and I’m curious about your thoughts on this. Until recently, I would have been a person that didn’t (as per the David French episode) think we should be over there. Of course, with the present circumstances, I’ve reversed my opinion. However, this article, brings up some of the reasons I used to justify my previous stance— sometimes we think we’re “helping“ but we’re not. How do episodes like this play into us helping our brother and sister in a Christ…
Shenanigans, again! Skye said, "going back to the Obama administration" (but now I'm in danger of repeating myself.) Not far enough back. Proximate problems date back to Dubya.
(my shenanigans call aside ... I deeply, deeply appreciate this conversation)
Calling shenanigans: "We didn't invade these Central American countries..."
uh, well, for many of them, yes, there were no "boots" on the ground. But look, for starters at the establishment of Panama as a break-away state of Colombia, and the later invasion to arrest Manuel Noriega.
Look at the mountains of money (and sometimes advisors) that went into Central America to support non-Communist (it was the polarity of the day) militias -- who went on to commit horrible atrocities against the minorities in those countries. (and make no mistake, Daniel Ortega has proven to be little better than his opponents.)
Look at the mountains of arms, once those conflicts were "over" (because nobody was standing up to bullies any more)…
so good! I appreciate the balance and nuance in these interviews and being able to see both sides of this story. Its not so black and white.