3 chapters across the catalog
The complex tribal and illiterate nature of Afghan society is explored, noting that Western democratic ideals are fundamentally misunderstood in the region. The withdrawal is attributed to a CIA-led plan initiated by Mike Pompeo and negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad, rather than a purely military or presidential decision.
U.S. Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is scrutinized for his long-term involvement in Afghan policy, dating back to Operation Cyclone in the late 1970s. Khalilzad led the 2018 Doha negotiations with the Taliban under the Trump administration, which resulted in the release of Abdul Ghani Baradar. The current Taliban leadership's sophisticated public relations and their conflict with ISIS-K are viewed as outcomes of these diplomatic efforts.
Nancy Pelosi and other critics have amplified unverified intelligence reports claiming Russia paid bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers. Skeptics suggest these reports are being used to sabotage the U.S.-Taliban peace deal negotiated by Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad. The Lincoln Project and other "warmonger" factions are accused of coordinating this narrative to prevent a military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
