America failed because it was too strong economically and militarily?
(Baonghean.vn) - Many Americans and Westerners cannot avoid being shocked by what is happening in Afghanistan, in the Arab world... The most painful thing for America and the West is probably this: Arrogance based on the power of weapons and money has been slapped too hard.
With what has happened in Afghanistan, the Arab world and further afield in Vietnam nearly five decades ago, many Americans and Westerners cannot help but be shocked. What the hell happened? What has the money, intelligence and even lives of so many people brought back to this world?
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| Taliban fighters enter Kabul. Photo: NBC News |
War, destruction, desolation and the blood of innocent people in the host country and soldiers from both sides of the war… is the answer. The United States had to “withdraw” from Afghanistan, withdraw from a war that, as President Biden had to exclaim on August 16, “our soldiers should not and cannot fight for an army (referring to Afghanistan) that no longer wants to fight for them.”
It is too late, Mr. President, when you yourself have to list that there were 4 US Presidents who “committed war” there. Many Americans have commented bitterly that, in the past 20 years, we have spent so much effort and money to manage a country that is not ours for what? What have we proven?…
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| Mr. Biden speaks about Afghanistan on August 16. Photo: ABC News |
The most painful thing for America and the West is probably that the arrogance based on the power of weapons and money has been slapped too hard. It is not easy for people to digest this injury.
The war started with a noble propaganda purpose of fighting terrorism, but ended with the admission of powerlessness and meaninglessness in “fighting to protect interests that are not one’s own”. Is that the reality, an excuse for the bitter ending, or a change of perspective to continue the goal of “international police” in the new context?
It should be remembered that in the late 20th century, it was the US and the West that encouraged, built and nurtured forces opposing the Afghan Government at that time, which was supported by the Soviet Union under the guise of democracy and freedom. Among them were extremist organizations, which are now the Taliban, al-Qaeda, IS...
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| An Afghan child during the chaos at Kabul airport. Photo: AFP |
In his speech, Mr. Biden said that "America will not be put at risk in the future", but can that be done when America still does not want to change its ideology, still wants to impose "American values" on other countries and still tramples on the right to self-determination of many countries for the benefit of America, which is inherently gained from its political intervention and war-making?
What many people are concerned about is whether in the future, the Taliban’s hold on power will make them and other extremist Islamic forces and terrorist organizations unite more closely to destabilize world security? How will the world respond then? These are still unanswered questions…
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| US soldiers point their guns at Afghan civilians to maintain order. Photo: AFP |
The world will change and that change depends on how countries behave. There are things that have been affirmed from history and the present, that is, “American values”, “Western civilization” are not always nutritious food for the Muslim community, it is not, must not be something to deprive countries of their right to self-determination; at the same time, a profound lesson for countries is to firmly grasp their independence to take care of themselves, to decide for themselves, otherwise your existence is just serving the interests of others!
