Throughout the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, President Joe Biden appeared to be suffering from mental fatigue. It is also clear that his priorities were driven by his image rather than American security interests. He reportedly missed a critical phone call with a congressman at the time due to mental exhaustion. The chaotic withdrawal caused significant casualties and left behind billions of dollars in military equipment.
Biden’s Mental State and the Afghanistan Withdrawal
The recent revelations about President Joe Biden’s mental fatigue have sparked debate and raised serious concerns about his ability to lead in critical situations. According to reports, Biden missed a critical phone call with Rep. Adam Smith, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, shortly before the US withdraws from Afghanistan in 2021. This lapse in communication occurred at a critical juncture in the military evacuation strategy.
This missed call, as well as the chaotic withdrawal that followed, had severe consequences. Approximately $7 billion in US military hardware was left behind and seized by the Taliban, and the group’s rapid advance following the withdrawal has raised significant concerns about global security.
Biden was so mentally fatigued that he skipped out on a phone call from the chair of the powerful House Armed Services Committee ahead of the US’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a report. https://t.co/2ZCtMbN55I
— Doctors*Overseas (@DoctorsOverseas) December 20, 2024
Criticism of Biden’s Decision-Making
The House Foreign Affairs Committee conducted a two-year investigation into the withdrawal, which resulted in a critical report. According to the report, Biden prioritizes politics and his personal legacy over national security. It alleges that Biden ignored military experts, NATO allies, and the Afghan government in his decision to withdraw troops.
“During his decades-long tenure as a Delaware US senator, eight years as vice president of the United States, and nearly four years as president, Mr. Biden has demonstrated distrust of America’s military experts and advisors and has prioritized politics and his personal legacy over America’s national security interests”
The report also highlights that Biden proceeded with the withdrawal without adhering to the terms of the Doha Agreement, later blaming the agreement for his actions. This decision has been widely criticized as a mistake with long-term consequences for both global and domestic security.
Biden lacked energy for phone call with House Armed Services Committee chair before disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal https://t.co/4D86rEm2zl pic.twitter.com/DOmbqatGv4
— New York Post (@nypost) December 20, 2024
Public Perception and Political Fallout
The controversy over Biden’s mental state and the withdrawal from Afghanistan has had a significant impact on public opinion. Support for the withdrawal has dropped from 69% in April to 49% in August 2021. While the decision still has partisan support, with 73% of Democrats in favor, only 26% of Republicans agree.
“I was also surprised that he was not more sensitive to and spoke more about the feelings of the Americans who fought there, as well as the feelings of the families whose children died. It was so tough, forceful, and focused that it lacked one of President Biden’s distinguishing features: emotional empathy.
Critics argue that Biden’s decision is consistent with Trump’s “America first” policy, raising concerns about the United States’ reliability as a global partner. Many observers were taken aback by the president’s lack of contrition, humility, and emotional empathy in his speech to defend the withdrawal.
Concerns About Biden’s Fitness for Office
The controversy has heightened already existing concerns about President Biden’s fitness for office. According to reports, Biden’s aides have noted that he has “good days and bad days,” with some meetings changed or canceled due to his performance. These revelations have heightened concerns about Biden’s ability to handle the demands of the presidency, particularly in high-stakes situations.
Many were concerned that the 2024 elections had come closer that these issues were to remain at the forefront of political discourse, potentially impacting Biden’s chances for re-election and shaping the future of American leadership on the global stage.
Sources:
- Intelligence Warned of Afghan Military Collapse, Despite Biden’s Assurances
- Biden’s speech on Afghanistan was resolute