Former CIA Officer Mike Baker on Afghanistan Withdrawal | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the recent hearings on the Afghanistan withdrawal and highlights the lack of accountability and pushback from politicians. They also delve into the decision-making process behind the withdrawal, the conditions set in the Doha agreement, and the failure of the Afghan government and military to withstand the Taliban. Additionally, they touch on the logistical issues of the withdrawal and the abandonment of military equipment.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the response of the Senate Armed Services Committee to the Afghanistan withdrawal hearings?

The senators on the committee acted surprised and inquisitive, despite having been briefed on the situation and having access to intelligence in the past. The speaker describes the hearings as a "theater" where politicians act surprised by the developments.

Q: What decision did the military advisors recommend to President Biden regarding troop presence in Afghanistan?

The military advisors recommended maintaining a minimum of 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. They believed that the country would collapse if troops were withdrawn, although perhaps not as quickly as it did. However, President Biden claims that he does not recall being advised of this.

Q: Was there any serious pushback during the hearings regarding President Biden's lack of recall?

No, there was no serious pushback during the hearings. The speaker criticizes the lack of questioning and accountability during the hearings, highlighting their frustration with the political theater in Washington, D.C.

Q: Did the previous administration play a role in the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan?

Yes, the speaker acknowledges that the Trump administration initiated the withdrawal process by signing the Doha agreement in February 2020. This agreement included conditions for both the Taliban and the United States. However, the Taliban did not meet these conditions.

Q: What were the conditions set in the Doha agreement?

The Doha agreement included seven conditions for the Taliban and eight conditions for the United States. These conditions aimed to create a power-sharing agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government. However, the Taliban only refrained from directly attacking U.S. troops and did not meet the other conditions.

Q: Why was the decision made to withdraw from Afghanistan?

The speaker suggests that the decision to withdraw was driven by the realization that the goal of building a stable democratic government in Afghanistan was flawed and unattainable. It was recognized that the Afghan government and military were not trustworthy allies and that continued U.S. presence was unsustainable.

Q: How did the withdrawal process contribute to the collapse of the Afghan government?

The withdrawal process involved the removal of advisors from Afghan units several years ago. This meant that there were no longer eyes and ears on the ground, and leaders in Afghanistan could provide distorted information without challenge. Additionally, the withdrawal included a logistical exercise of moving personnel and materials out of the country, which may have detracted from the focus on maintaining stability.

Q: What military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan?

The speaker mentions that significant military equipment, including black stocks, was left behind in Afghanistan. The estimated value of the equipment lost is in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Q: Why was the decision not made to move more equipment out of Afghanistan?

The speaker questions why more light gear, such as night vision devices, weaponry, and ammunition, was not relocated during the withdrawal process. They suggest that this gear could have been useful for the Afghan military and that the decision not to move it may have been flawed.

Q: Did the military commanders anticipate the collapse of the Afghan government?

Yes, the military commanders claim that by the fall of 2020, the general consensus was that the Afghan government would likely collapse without U.S. troops and funding. They cite intelligence and historical knowledge of Afghanistan's dynamics to support this assessment.

Takeaways

The video highlights the lack of accountability and pushback from politicians during the Afghanistan withdrawal hearings. It also explores the decision-making process behind the withdrawal, the conditions set in the Doha agreement, and the failure of the Afghan government and military to withstand the Taliban. The logistical challenges of the withdrawal and the abandonment of military equipment are also discussed. The speaker emphasizes the difficulty of nation-building in Afghanistan and the need to acknowledge the sacrifices made by veterans.