TRIGGERnometry "Afghan Withdrawal Will Inspire Terrorism" - Colonel Richard Kemp
Sep 13, 2021
Colonel Richard Kemp, a retired British Army officer with extensive experience in Afghanistan, discusses the fallout of the U.S. withdrawal. He highlights the chaos of the Afghan military collapse and concerns about a resurgent Taliban. Kemp critiques the misguided belief in negotiating with the Taliban, emphasizing the geopolitical shift towards China and Pakistan. He also addresses the rise of terrorism, the ethical dilemmas of military conduct, and the failures of de-radicalization programs, shedding light on the complexities of global security.
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Colonel Kemp's Career Path
- Richard Kemp, born in Essex, joined the army after being a self-proclaimed worst pupil at Colchester Royal Grammar School.
- He served for 30 years, transitioned to corporate security, and now works as a writer and consultant.
Disastrous Withdrawal
- The withdrawal from Afghanistan was disastrous due to short notice, lack of conditions on the Taliban, and poor timing.
- This undermined Western reputation and created a larger terrorist threat than before 9/11.
Afghan Loyalties
- Many Afghans prioritize tribal and ethnic loyalties over national allegiance.
- The Afghan army primarily fought for money, not for Afghanistan, leading to their swift collapse after the US withdrawal.