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In reply to the discussion: Hillary Clinton warns of 'huge consequences' in Afghan US troop withdrawal [View all]karynnj
(59,501 posts)There was also George Marshall, whose Marshall Plan is an example of possibly the best US diplomacy. I personally do not think that HRC was even Obama's most successful Secretary of State. Kerry's work on the Iran deal and the Paris Climate Accord - neither of which were likely to have happened without his essential effort make him clearly the better Secretary of State. Note that even when Trump took the US out, the world stayed in. Had it not succeeded, nothing would have happened in the Trump years and President Biden would likely not be able to achieve a worldwide agreement by Glasgow.
As to Afghanistan, I wonder if the way the question were asked, it set HRC up to appear to be at odds with Biden. Had HRC become President, this is an issue she too would have faced. In 2014, Kerry brokered a solution to a disputed Afghani election. That allowed Afghanistan to at least have some semblance of a government. It was better than things falling into chaos and allowed Afghanistan to move to where it is now. They are stronger than they were at any time.
However, there will either be a peace agreement with the Taliban that probably brings them back into the picture - meaning they will run candidates and have some power or there will be a civil war. The basic problem is that, unlike AQ, the Taliban are endemic to Afghanistan (and Pakistan) and many Pastums will likely support them.
As to HRC's comments. If the Taliban gain enough power - either way - there will be refugees. These will be people who either will be endangered or who do want the type of society that will happen if the Taliban has enough power. The gains of women and girls, a major goal of the US and particularly HRC, will be in jeopardy. If the Taliban return to leading the government or if there is a civil war, the conditions where Afghanistan becomes a base for terrorism.
For several years, the US have trained the Afghans. This started at least as far back as 2009. The coalition has helped Afghanistan both politically and militarily. At this point, the number of US and allied military in Afghanistan is a fraction of what it was. In the last Trump year, The US tried to negotiate with the Taliban without involvement of the Afghan government. Now, it will be the Afghan government negotiating with the Taliban.