“I knew when I left Afghanistan that the Taliban would take over extremely fast when we left - UNLESS we took measures to slow them.”
This reads like you, with on the ground experience, knew we were in a no win situation 15 years ago. Couldn’t stop it, only delay it. Surely you weren’t the only one. Why didn’t our leaders prepare the American people for this day? (I think I know the answer).
Every enlisted guy I met who served there agreed. Every company grade officer I’ve known there agreed. I was an O-5, and many of my fellow field grade officers agreed. But generals like to hear what they LIKE to hear, and so does the State Department.
The advice I got when a young LT was good then and now: “Unless you’ve been in the back shops at midnight, and talked to junior enlisted and and SAW what they were dealing with, YOU DON’T KNOW SQUAT!” Sure wish the Colonels and Generals had learned that lesson!
They listened to what they WANTED to be the truth. And passed on their fantasies!