You Vote: One year later, was Biden right to withdraw from Afghanistan?

Anniversary of Taliban takeover raises questions about merits of U.S. withdrawal.

Published: August 15, 2022 1:40pm

Updated: August 15, 2022 5:20pm

One year ago, on Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban seized control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and officially conquered the entire country, allowing the group to set up a new Islamist regime to replace the U.S.-backed government that was in power.

The Taliban takeover came as the U.S. was withdrawing its last troops from Afghanistan in accordance with President Biden's orders.

Biden described America's military presence as a "forever war" that needed to end so the U.S. could focus on other priorities. Critics, meanwhile, decried the withdrawal as premature and poorly executed, arguing it allowed the Taliban to seize power.

Since taking over, the Taliban has cracked down on dissent and women's rights, among other human rights violations, according to advocacy groups. Meanwhile, analysts report Afghanistan has become a safe haven for al Qaeda under Taliban rule, as was the case before 9/11.

Looking back on it one year later, was Biden right to get the U.S. out of Afghanistan when he did? Should he have kept some kind of residual force behind? Here's your chance to weigh in:

One year after the Taliban swept to power, do you believe President Biden made the right decision to order a full military withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Choices

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