Joshua Foust: How France lost Afghanistan
As France prepares to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, ASP Fellow Joshua Foust discusses the French experience and how it is reflective of every other country’s time in the Central Asian nation. Embedded in France’s experience is a lesson for US policymakers:
Ambition has its place in warfare, but only if it can be backed up by commitment. While the U.S. has certainly been ambitious in Afghanistan it has never really committed to the war or to its success – and that is why it has faced such disappointment and frustration. It is also why, in 18 months, whoever the next president is will be doing exactly what François Hollande is doing now: withdrawing and trying to move on.
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