Americans often expect instant results from any undertaking by political leaders. Consequently, the recent drone strike that killed the leader of Al Qaeda demonstrates the result of a strategy that was 21 years in its execution. At times, voters were unreasonably critical of President Biden’s patient execution of the plan, but his strategy produced results.
It all began on Sept. 11, 2001, with the Al Qaeda attack on the United States. The suicide attack by airplanes hijacked by assassins killed 2,994 people. The Al Qaeda leader at that time was Osama bin Laden. America then went to war with Afghanistan for providing security and cover for America’s enemy. The hunt for bin Laden became a major commitment of American military and intelligence forces.
It took 10 years to hunt down bin Laden until he was located and executed on May 2, 2011, in a house in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Nonetheless, the war with Afghanistan continued for another 10 years. The U.S. suffered 2,448 military deaths in the ensuing battle. The U.S. government then decided to negotiate with the Taliban, the controlling party of Afghanistan. After more than 20 years of war, it was time for an armistice.
The primary U.S. concern was that the Taliban not provide protection to Al Qaeda and ISIS or any other group planning violence against America. According to the agreement, U.S. forces had to leave by a date certain. President Biden announced on April 14, 2021 that all U.S. forces had left, in compliance with the required date of departure.
Critics who suggest that President Biden failed to manage the nation’s interests extremely well during this matter are misleading the people. First of all, the citizens of one nation will never tolerate another country using its territory as a protected launching place for an attack on others. After 20 years of war as a result of those hostilities, the U.S. vengeance was established, and it was time to find a resolution. A non-negotiable date for the U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan was established before Biden took office. Biden employed extensive efforts to induce those endangered by staying to arrange for military or commercial transportation to safety.
In violation of the agreement, the Taliban essentially welcomed Al Qaeda. And Ayman al-Zawahiri, the successor to bin Laden, felt welcome and secure enough to move into an upscale residence in Kabul. The total violation of the agreement between Afghanistan and the U.S. was well known to the CIA. It was only a matter of time before al-Zawahiri would pay the price for his defiance.
All the while, the CIA and other security units were tracking movements of the enemy. The drone attack on al-Zawahiri was no accident or happenstance. It is time for all Americans to applaud Biden for a job well done.
U.S. international issues should be viewed beyond the limitations of political parties. It is best for the world to know that the nation is united once foreign policy is established. There should be a solid support for President Biden as he promotes issues to benefit America throughout the world.
Petty criticism of Biden when America’s commitment to democracy is under attack can never be beneficial. Where is the patriotism needed to carry the nation forward?
