Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 29, 2021

Meghann Myers, Military Times: Afghanistan probably never stood a chance, reports show

On July 29, the Pentagon’s independent inspector general for Afghanistan told a group of reporters that with 20 years in and trillions dollars spent, Afghan security forces were not confident enough to do basic route clearance or checkpoint management.

Two weeks later, the Taliban had taken nearly all of Afghanistan and was preparing to launch its campaign into Kabul, the capital.

Video would show Afghan forces laying down their weapons as the insurgents rolled into city after city, shocking many, but certainly not everyone.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 29, 2021

Blame Biden, Not the Military. The president can’t dodge responsibility for the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. -- Peter Campbell, City Journal

From hubris to humiliation: America’s warrior class contends with the abject failure of its Afghanistan project -- Greg Jaffe, Washington Post

What does the Taliban’s return mean for al-Qaida in Afghanistan? -- Jason Burke, The Guardian

China: Big spender or loan shark? -- Celia Hatton, BBC News

Why China Crushed Its Tech Giants -- Lavender Au, Wired

It’s China, Stupid: More voters across the West are caring more about China. In the next round of elections, politicians should, too. -- James Lamond and Jake Morris, Defense One

Did Australia Need Its Ugly Win in Sub Deal? -- Douglas Bulloch, 1945

Canada's 'two Michaels' released on bail for 'medical reasons', Chinese state media says, after return of Meng Wanzhou -- Erin Handley and Joyce Cheng, ABC News Australia