John Bolton, former National Security Advisor during the Trump administration, has raised concerns about the potential for terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bolton stated that the lack of a U.S. presence in the country allows groups like ISIS-K and Al Qaeda to operate with greater freedom. He believes these groups are capable of launching attacks outside the Middle East and could potentially target the United States. Bolton’s warning comes as the Taliban celebrates the third anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with a public holiday and a military parade at the former U.S.-run Bagram airbase. The event, showcasing their so-called “victory day,” featured a display of captured U.S. military hardware, including Black Hawk helicopters, tanks, and Humvees, according to a report from the Voice of America. Bolton’s tweet highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has previously criticized the withdrawal, arguing that it signaled weakness to global adversaries. Additionally, reports have emerged of captured U.S. military equipment falling into the hands of militants, potentially enhancing their capabilities. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged that they were not fully prepared for the aftermath of the withdrawal. Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted that “more could and should have been done” to prepare for a worst-case scenario. President Joe Biden has defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, attributing the rapid Taliban takeover to the collapse of the Afghan military and actions of previous administrations. While acknowledging the unexpected speed of the collapse, Biden maintains that the U.S. mission in Afghanistan had achieved its initial goals and emphasizes his responsibility for ending the war.
