PEORIA, Ill. – A former Ambassador to Afghanistan who will be speaking again in Peoria in a few weeks says the U.S. withdrawal from that country has been “terrible,” and the country has a “disaster” on its hands there.
American Academy of Diplomacy president Ronald Neumann tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” what led to the decision to withdraw U.S. troops was, in his words, “the continuation of a Trump policy with a smiley face.” But, that’s not the only problem.
“What President Biden came in to office saying was that we were going to pay a lot more attention to allies,” said Neumann. “We went out and consulted with the allies on Afghanistan, and we ignored their advice.”
Neumann says that resulted in the U.S. putting the allies in a bad position.
“Our decision to leave was not a NATO decision, it was Biden’s decision,” says Neumann. “It forced the NATO allies to go with us because of the logistical support.”
Neumann will be in Peoria speaking to the Peoria Area World Affairs Council Thursday, September 16 at Bradley University. The talk will be a part of the council’s 50th anniversary celebration.
