Kabul: The Untold Story of Biden’s Fiasco and the American Warriors Who Fought to the End (Book Notes)

Kabul: The Untold Story of Biden’s Fiasco and the American Warriors Who Fought to the End is a compelling investigative account that delves into the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Written by investigative journalist Jerry Dunleavy and former Army captain and Afghanistan veteran James Hasson, the book offers a scathing critique of the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal while honoring the courage and sacrifice of American service members who risked - and in some cases lost - their lives during the final days of the war.

The book opens with a stark reminder of the scenes from the Kabul airport - Afghans clinging to departing planes, the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country, and the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate that killed 13 American service members. From this foundation, Dunleavy and Hasson construct a narrative that seeks to both uncover the failures in U.S. leadership and spotlight the heroism of those who carried out the evacuation under near-impossible conditions.

A major focus of the book is the authors' argument that the Biden administration ignored intelligence, dismissed military advice, and underestimated the Taliban's capabilities. The authors lay out a timeline that suggests the White House was warned for months that the Afghan government was likely to fall quickly if the U.S. withdrew without a plan to maintain stability.

The book criticizes President Joe Biden and his top advisers for pressing forward with the withdrawal plan despite these warnings. It argues that their insistence on an arbitrary withdrawal deadline, paired with the decision to abandon Bagram Air Base, created logistical and security vulnerabilities that left Americans and Afghan allies exposed.

Interwoven with the political analysis are the stories of American military personnel, intelligence officers, and diplomats on the ground who scrambled to save lives. Dunleavy and Hasson highlight efforts by U.S. Marines and other military branches to evacuate over 120,000 people under fire and in extreme chaos.

The authors draw on firsthand interviews with service members and Gold Star families, especially in recounting the events surrounding the August 26 suicide bombing at Abbey Gate. They offer a detailed and emotional account of the attack and the aftermath, questioning whether it could have been prevented had security conditions been better managed.

A significant part of the book focuses on the plight of Afghan interpreters, soldiers, and civilians who had supported the U.S. war effort. Dunleavy and Hasson argue that the United States broke its promises to these individuals, leaving many behind to face Taliban reprisals. The authors are particularly critical of the bureaucratic red tape that slowed or halted Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) processing, even as the Taliban advanced.

Kabul concludes by calling for accountability at the highest levels of government, including Biden and his national security team. The authors contend that the withdrawal was not merely a tragic end to a long war, but an avoidable disaster caused by negligence and poor judgment. They also argue that the retreat damaged America’s global credibility and emboldened adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran.

Dunleavy and Hasson bring a sharply critical tone to the Biden administration, and the book is undeniably partisan in its conclusions. However, the authors support their claims with detailed sourcing, interviews, and documentation. The book's most powerful sections are those that focus on the courage, pain, and moral clarity of the American warriors and diplomats who stood their ground as the world around them collapsed.

SUMMARY: Kabul: The Untold Story of Biden’s Fiasco and the American Warriors Who Fought to the End is both a blistering political indictment and a heartfelt tribute. It offers a necessary account of one of the most consequential foreign policy moments in recent U.S. history. For readers seeking to understand what happened during those final days in Afghanistan - and why - this book provides a detailed and impassioned perspective, balancing investigative journalism with powerful human stories.

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