Washington, D.C. – Much is still up in the air with President Trump’s position in the White House, but Joe Biden’s transition efforts are already underway.
One of the biggest questions for a potential Biden presidency is if he would reverse President Trump’s troop withdrawal efforts in Afghanistan.
President Trump has expedited his efforts to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan. He recently appointed Col. Douglas Macgregor to assist and advise acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller.
Col. Macgregor openly advocates for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
There has been a United States military presence in Afghanistan since 2001, following the 9/11 terror attacks. As of last year, some troops serving in Afghanistan were born post 9/11, marking a war of unprecedented length in the United States.
Noted anti-war advocate, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took to Twitter to voice his support for Col. Macgregor, saying, “I am very pleased @realDonaldTrump asked my friend Col. Doug Macgregor to help quickly end the war in Afghanistan. This and other picks for Pentagon are about getting the right people who will finally help him stop our endless wars.”
With Col. Macgregor’s hire, President Trump looks to bring all the troops in Afghanistan home before Christmas and well ahead of the inauguration of the next President.
Suppose Joe Biden is indeed sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021, and President Trump is successful in ending U.S. military occupation in Afghanistan. In that case, it will be a major question mark for Biden’s administration.
Biden’s record in the Senate and as Vice President is a war-hawk. If his past is any indication of his future, he may reverse President Trump’s peace efforts. Redeploying troops could reignite tensions in Afghanistan, and by extension, the rest of the Middle East.