Progressives last stand in Afghanistan – Alton Telegraph
While President Biden tries to blame Donald Trump or even Afghans themselves for the collapse of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the real lesson is the failure of progressive policies there. The unmitigated disaster for Americas armchair nation-builders is reminiscent of Custers Last Stand in 1876, when the inept U.S. colonels entire force was slaughtered by enemy Indian tribes.
Missing in action for days, Biden finally emerged to pretend that the problem is Afghans supposedly not having the will to fight. This was after the Afghan president handpicked by liberals, an American-educated academic with progressive political beliefs, had fled the country in a helicopter.
Just a few weeks ago, the progressive chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, had defended indoctrinating U.S. soldiers in the tenets of critical race theory. He pompously declared to Congress, I want to understand white rage and Im white.
Trump was blistering in his criticism of Milley back then, declaring that General Milley ought to resign, and be replaced with someone who is actually willing to defend our military from the leftist radicals who hate our country and flag.
General George Patton, our finest and toughest field commander of the 20th century, believed in reincarnation. One thing we know for certain: Patton did not return as General Milley.
No doubt disliked by Afghan soldiers as much as he is here, in July Milley misled the public by declaring to reporters that the Afghan Security Forces have the capacity to sufficiently fight and defend their country. But defend their country for whom: Biden and his ideological twin who quickly abandoned his post and fled?
The departed Afghan president Ashraf Ghani was installed as president by liberals after a disputed election that took months to resolve. Like Biden, President Ghani is an elderly, low-energy man who promoted progressive policies having little connection with reality or what the Afghan people want and believe in.
Like Biden, President Ghani failed to attract genuine support among ordinary Afghans as Trump does so well with many Americans. The equivalent of woke ideologies and policies were being pushed on that rugged country, and of course no Afghans would risk their lives to defend what they do not believe in.
Feminist policies were being imposed on Afghans who have a deep-rooted patriarchal culture that is the opposite of what liberals demand. The vast majority of adult Afghan men cannot read or write, yet liberals insisted on building schools to indoctrinate Afghan girls and young women with secular progressive beliefs.
For those old enough to remember the fall of Saigon, as the last U.S. helicopter lifted off the roof of the U.S. embassy, that horror was repeated as Afghans clung to U.S. transport planes while they taxied down the runway. Deaths by people dropping off the departing airplanes trigger painful reminders of victims falling from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Biden seems to have timed his pullout from Afghanistan, not to minimize deaths and destruction, but to facilitate photo-ops for him on the upcoming 20-year anniversary of 9/11. Instead, on Sept. 11 Americans will need to be on high alert for a potential copycat attack, either here or in European countries that foolishly admitted too many Muslim immigrants from hostile countries.
Trump responded by properly calling for Bidens resignation, before China and other rogue nations exploit his weakness as the Taliban just did. The same European leaders who enjoyed treating Trump with disdain probably now wish he never left the White House, as Europe prepares to be overrun by Afghan refugees.
Do you miss me yet? Trump asked last week, and with each passing day we miss him more. In four entire years of Trumps leadership nothing like this catastrophe occurred, and barely six months into the presidency of Biden the wheels are already coming off.
The coming flood of refugees from Afghanistan may be what liberals really want, just as they have tolerated over a million impoverished migrants crossing our southern border. This was another monthly surge in July of illegal aliens pouring in, with record-high levels of COVID among them.
To be clear, Afghanistan is not a defeat for Americas brave soldiers and Marines, who served so courageously in Afghanistan under terrible and frightening conditions. In late 2001, merely 3,000 American troops swiftly accomplished what seemed impossible, by seizing control of the country from Al Qaeda for harboring 9/11 terrorists.
But progressives and an effete occupant of the White House have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. This failure was not on the battlefield, but in the misguided ideology of those who attempted to impose political correctness on a country that is the antithesis of it.
John and Andy Schlafly are sons of Phyllis Schlafly (1924-2016) and lead the continuing Phyllis Schlafly Eagles organizations with writing and policy work.
Read the rest here:
Progressives last stand in Afghanistan - Alton Telegraph
- Bernie Sanders has a response for progressives upset over Hongs loss in Wisconsin - Politico - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Progressives back substitute teacher over Wasserman Schultz in Florida - theguardian.com - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Before todays progressives, there were Conyers and Jackson | Thompson - The Detroit News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- GOP targets progressives as frustration over economy grows - The Hill - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Opinion | Progressives in 2026 Are in a Catch-22 - WSJ - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Major tests for progressives and Trump are on tap in Tuesdays primaries - NBC News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Progressives see a win and a loss in Minnesota and Wisconsin Democratic primaries - prismreports.org - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Op-Ed: Progressives Are Winning the Future of Washington's Legislature - The Urbanist - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Trump ally loses, mixed results for progressives: takeaways from primaries in Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond - theguardian.com - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Progressives are on the cusp of a huge win. Their biggest stars are staying away. - Politico - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Francesca Hongs loss in Wisconsin is a win for progressives - salon.com - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Why AOC and other progressives are backing off Woke 1 - vox.com - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Could progressives win over long-term Delaware Democrats? - Bay to Bay News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- CO-1 candidate Shimon Blau courts progressives after years of mocking them - 9News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- What Abdul El-Sayeds victory says about progressives, outsiders and the Democratic Party - ThePrint - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- The Campaign Tactics Helping Progressives Win Primaries Ahead of the 2026 Midterms - The New York Times - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives' wave of success meets choppy waters in Hawaii - USA Today - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives look to shake up Beacon Hill as Sept. 1 primary nears. The key races and why they matter - MassLive.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Opinion | Without the Working Class, There's Only So Much Progressives Can Win - Common Dreams - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives must ditch the all-or-nothing approach - The Seattle Times - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives Rack Up Primary Wins, Testing Democratic Assumptions Ahead of the Midterms - Time Magazine - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- The Democratic party needs to do more than represent wealthy progressives | Dustin Guastella - The Guardian - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives expand their reach and money finds its limit: Takeaways from Tuesdays primaries - NBC News - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives didnt get the big election night they wanted - Politico - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Wisconsin is the latest test for progressives, the electability argument and, soon, party unity - Straight Arrow - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Primaries in the Midwest have become a high stakes proving ground for progressives - NPR - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Key Election Takeaways From Progressives Big Night - wsj.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Primaries takeaways: Progressives score big wins and turn to November - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- How White Progressives Co-Opting Woke Harmed the Black Community - Emerald Book - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- El-Sayed gives progressives another victory and a new challenge - The Washington Post - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives had another big primary night with a notable exception: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- With Primary Wins, Progressives Make Clear That Michigan Is Not for Sale - Truthout - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Wisconsin is next battleground between progressives and moderates over future of the Democratic Party - Milwaukee Independent - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Opinion | Colorado Progressives Hike the Tax Slope - wsj.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Michigan primary gives progressives a breakthrough and Democrats a test - Detroit Free Press - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives win in Michigan, and a pop star announces a break: The news quiz - NBC News - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- After Abdul El-Sayeds Win in Michigan, Progressives Are Preparing for the Next Round Against AIPAC - inthesetimes.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives in Ascendance With Key Primary Wins in Michigan | National News | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives big Midwest test - Politico - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Progressives vs. The Establishment: AOC says party is united on key issue - Modern Ghana - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Queens councilmember breaks with progressives on ICE abolition letter - Queens Daily Eagle - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- As moderates beat progressives in Hawaii, nation looks to Wisconsin Gov. race | Morning in America - NewsNation - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Elena Kagan's warning to progressives attacking the Supreme Court - reason.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- El-Sayed scores marquee victory for progressives, and other takeaways from Tuesdays primaries - WKOW - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Can Opposing Data Centers Help Progressives Win? - Mother Jones - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Progressives Midwest insurgency is powered by the growing data center backlash - Semafor - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Religion isnt just for the right: five ways progressives are invoking religious freedom laws - The Guardian - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Meet All the New Progressives and Democratic Socialists Heading to Congress - Zeteo - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats tug-of-war - WBAL News Radio - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Rep. Burgess Owens says progressives are getting involved with GOP primaries to shift Utah leftward - Yahoo - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Utah Republican says progressives are inside the gate to shift Utah to the left - Deseret News - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Sanders on Fetterman attacks: I would not put too much credibility on what he says about El-Sayed and Progressives - cnn.com - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Minnesota progressives campaign on Medicare for All as ranks of uninsured grow - MinnPost - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Progressives want to tax billionaires first, and you're next on the list - Fox News - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Super PACs Are Spending in Lockstep Against Progressives - The Nation - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Gerth: Progressives pushing Beshear on McConnell are wrong | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats tug-of-war - The Seattle Times - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Progressives Nice-to-Have Problem: What to Do With Excess Capital - WSJ - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats' tug-of-war - WKMG - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Progressives Opposed to SEDA Talk From Both Sides of Their Mouths - GV Wire - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Will Incoming Progressives Give Hakeem Jeffries Their Support? - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Insufficient? The Bible And Baptist Progressives - Patheos - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats' tug-of-war - Star Beacon - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Nicholas Lemanns aggrieved article on Jews and progressives reveals a blindness to the evil of Zionism - Mondoweiss - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats' tug-of-war - Temple Daily Telegram - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Bill Maher levels progressives with three-word slam and might just vote for JD Vance in 2028 - Yahoo - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Progressives once supported Israel. What happened? - thenewsherald.com - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Michigan progressives and moderates battle over the future of the Democratic Party - Yahoo - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Michigan progressives and moderates battle over the future of the Democratic Party - The Hill - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Preview of Coming Attractions: Is This the Future Progressives Want for Los Angeles? - CityWatch LA - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- 'Bullshit': The Dividing Line Between The Progressives Who Could Replace Graham Platner - HuffPost - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Cori Bush tells fellow US progressives: My reelection would be knockout punch to AIPAC - The Times of Israel - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Sanders-backed progressives try to make AI the new AIPAC - Semafor - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- This Was a Black Eye: Progressives Face Reckoning Over Graham Platner - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Liberal progressives are remaking the Democratic party in 2026 - USA Today - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Liberal progressives are remaking the Democratic party in 2026 | The Excerpt - AOL.com - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Progressives look to recharge the Green New Deal for the AI era - Politico - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Progressives look to revamp the Green New Deal for the AI era - E&E News by POLITICO - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Euthanasia in France: For the third time, the Senate says no. Progressives and the French left will pass it in Parliament - ZENIT - English - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Analysis | Progressives elevated Graham Platner. Now they want influence if he drops out. - The Washington Post - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]