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us withdrawal from afghanistan

A US military vet reckons with America's failures in Afghanistan
GZERO World Clips

A US military vet reckons with America's failures in Afghanistan

On Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan, after the US departed following two decades of war. Ian Bremmer speaks to former Marine and author Elliot Ackerman on GZERO World.

The Taliban surprise & ongoing Afghan agony
GZERO World Clips

The Taliban surprise & ongoing Afghan agony

On Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan. By the end of the month, US forces had departed after two decades of war. A year on, the country remains in shambles.

US Afghanistan withdrawal: a “digital Dunkirk”
GZERO World Clips

US Afghanistan withdrawal: a “digital Dunkirk”

Could the US have done a better job at getting out of Afghanistan? Certainly, says former US marine and CIA officer Elliot Ackerman, who recalls how calls for an evacuation plan fell on deaf ears in the Pentagon and the White House. The problem, he tells Ian Bremmer on GZERO World, is that America thought it'd have a bit of time before the Taliban took over. That was the wrong call.

NATO's darkest chapter: Afghanistan withdrawal (in contrast to unity supporting Ukraine)
GZERO World Clips

NATO's darkest chapter: Afghanistan withdrawal (in contrast to unity supporting Ukraine)

Why did US intelligence get it so wrong in Afghanistan and so right in Ukraine? The intelligence may have been there - but after 20 years of war, the ability to draw objective conclusions was not, says Elliot Ackerman, a former US marine who served four tours in Afghanistan.

logo: GZERO World with Ian Bremmer (the podcast), overlaid on an image of US military in Afghanistan
GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast

Podcast: How the US underestimated the Taliban - and who's paying for it one year later

Listen: The anniversary of the end of America’s war in Afghanistan is a reminder of what many see as a staggering US defeat. It was also a victory for a long-time US adversary, the Taliban, who remain in control as the country faces a humanitarian crisis and a crumbling economy. Their brutal rule has also led to worsening conditions for women and girls in the country. Ian Bremmer speaks to former Marine and author Elliot Ackerman on the GZERO World podcast about his view of the war and his new book “The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan.”

China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened
ask ian

China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened

China owns more than $1 trillion US debt, but how much leverage do they actually have? North Korea tested new long-range cruise missiles. What message is Pyongyang trying to send? What was revealed in the New York Times' investigation of the US drone strike in Afghanistan? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week.

Biden's mistakes in Afghanistan were not "dereliction of duty"
The Red Pen

Biden's mistakes in Afghanistan were not "dereliction of duty"

In his latest Washington Post op-ed, Marc Thiessen makes strong statements about how and why the Taliban came to take control of Kabul. There have been big mistakes in executing this exit. But "dereliction of duty?" Not in our view. Ian Bremmer and Eurasia Group analyst Charles Dunst explain why in this edition of The Red Pen.

Europe fears Afghan refugees will cause a political crisis
GZERO Europe

Europe fears Afghan refugees will cause a political crisis

What are the fears in Europe stemming out of what is happening in Afghanistan? Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden, shares his perspective from Europe.

US on track for August 31 withdrawal; House passes $3.5T plan
US Politics In 60 Seconds

US on track for August 31 withdrawal; House passes $3.5T plan

Is the US on track for the August 31st withdrawal from Afghanistan? The House narrowly passed the $3.5 trillion budget plan. What's next for the Democrats? Jon Lieber, Managing Director of the United States for Eurasia Group, shares his insights on the latest news in US politics.

US global power remains strong, despite Afghanistan mistakes
The Red Pen

US global power remains strong, despite Afghanistan mistakes

While the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has been deeply flawed in execution, does this really mark "the end of the American era" as foreign affairs reporter Robin Wright argues in a New Yorker op-ed? Not at all – and in fact, the US will emerge from this crisis not only with important lessons learned but in a position of power. Ian Bremmer and Eurasia Group analyst Charles Dunst explain why in this edition of The Red Pen.