In 2018, then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into." Ironically, Trump soon after negotiated a deal with the Taliban that would lead to what many consider an even more detrimental outcome for the U.S.: the complete withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into." Ironically, Trump soon after negotiated a deal with the Taliban that would lead to what many consider an even more detrimental outcome for the U.S.: the complete withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

Retired General David Petraeus described the Taliban deal as "one of the worst diplomatic agreements in our history." The U.S. essentially handed the Taliban victory by agreeing to withdraw without securing significant concessions. The only commitment from the Taliban was not to attack U.S. forces during the exit.

President Joe Biden continued with the withdrawal plan, resulting in a chaotic and disastrous pullout in August 2021. The Taliban swiftly took control of Kabul, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government. Women and girls faced immediate repression, with bans on employment and education beyond age 12. A UN report also highlighted that Afghanistan had become a haven for around 20 terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda.

The Trump administration's negotiations, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, excluded the Afghan government, which demoralized Afghan officials and contributed to the rapid fall of the Afghan state. Khalilzad defended the strategy, stating that the direct negotiations with the Taliban were necessary given the deteriorating military situation.

Biden ignored advice from his top military adviser, General Mark Milley, who warned that the Afghan military would collapse without a U.S. presence. Biden's decision to withdraw completely resulted in scenes of desperation at Kabul Airport, reminiscent of the fall of Saigon.

The rapid withdrawal left behind significant military equipment, valued at $8.5 billion. The Taliban's takeover erased years of progress in Afghanistan, including reductions in child mortality, employment opportunities for women, and a burgeoning media landscape.

The relationship between Khalilzad and Afghanistan's then-President Ashraf Ghani further complicated matters. Their mutual disdain undermined any potential for a coordinated response to the Taliban's advance.

Biden defended his decision by arguing that American troops should not be fighting a war that Afghan forces were unwilling to fight themselves. However, General Petraeus pointed out that Afghan forces suffered far greater casualties than U.S. and coalition troops, underscoring their commitment.

Today, Afghanistan is governed by an unrecognized Taliban regime, with close ties to al-Qaeda. The Taliban's top spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, has even denied Osama bin Laden's role in the 9/11 attacks, indicating a continued alignment with extremist ideologies.

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan stands as a cautionary tale of flawed diplomacy and its far-reaching consequences.