Landmark Testimony on a Chaotic Withdrawal
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered a poignant assessment of the Western withdrawal from Afghanistan during her testimony before a parliamentary inquiry on December 5, 2024. She labeled the hurried exit of troops in August 2021 as “a terrible failure,” emphasizing the chaotic nature of the operation, which culminated in a tragic suicide attack at Kabul airport that claimed over 170 civilian lives and 13 U.S. soldiers.
A Frantic Response to Sudden Changes
Merkel recounted her personal experience of the unfolding crisis, detailing how she returned to Berlin from vacation on August 13, 2021, only to be briefed by her team on the dire situation in Kabul. The following day, she authorized the evacuation of around 5,000 German military personnel stationed in Afghanistan. Just hours later, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Kabul as Taliban forces closed in, leaving the German government and its allies in shock.
Surprises and Comparisons
Addressing questions about the government’s preparedness, Merkel acknowledged the unexpected nature of Ghani’s departure, stating, “We were not prepared on Saturday that Afghanistan would be without a president the next day.” In her critique, she contrasted Ghani’s actions unfavorably with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who remained in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion in 2022, highlighting a stark difference in leadership amid crisis.
Acknowledging Collective Failures
Merkel candidly admitted that the international community failed to achieve its ambitious goals in Afghanistan, from establishing the rule of law to advancing women’s rights. She reflected on the notion of creating a Western-aligned society in Afghanistan, describing it as “presumptuous” and recognizing the myriad factors contributing to the failure, such as corruption and a lack of cultural understanding. She also noted the influence of Pakistan and geopolitical dynamics as under-evaluated elements.
Reflecting on Historical Context
Despite her criticisms, Merkel stopped short of entirely condemning the initial U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan. She asserted that supporting the U.S. following the September 11 attacks was “in retrospect correct” and that hopes for a successful military operation to mitigate terrorism were justified at the time. As the inquiry concludes, with over two years of questioning 111 witnesses culminating in Merkel’s testimony, it sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by the international community in Afghanistan.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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