Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan has nothing to do with ending endless war and everything to do with his ego. The U.S. is party to a political agreement with the Taliban requiring it to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as part of a package. (1/5)

The package includes a political settlement and permanent ceasefire. It is unlikely to be in place by May 1, bu withdrawing the troops now when there is no progress toward them makes that progress even less likely. (2/5)

I oppose breaking the Doha deal in order to keep a small residual force in Afghanistan. It is not necessary for counter-terrorism, and it is a deal breaker not only with the Taliban but with the major countries of the region with which we have to repair relations.(3/5)

We have to repair relations with China, Russia, and Iran to cooperate on slowing climate change and restoring a non-proliferation regime. All of these goals are worth more than a few hundred troops in a landlocked country whose logistics depend on Pakistan. (4/5)

But that requires waiting for the Biden administration to prepare the ground diplomatically. Rushing to get the troops our a couple months earlier without proper diplomatic preparation makes continuation of the war more, not less, likely. (5/5) END