Joint Chiefs chair sparks backlash after stating U.S. has 'achieved a modicum of success' in Afghanistan
Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley, speaking during a Brookings Institution event Wednesday, said that, after nearly 20 years in Afghanistan the U.S. has "achieved a modicum of success" with its military operations in the country. That's true, he argued, despite a current "state of strategic stalemate" and the inability to defeat the Taliban militarily.
The comments, which come as the military looks to execute President Trump's partial troop withdrawal order, sparked a backlash, with critics suggesting — some more explicitly — that a "modicum" is a fairly paltry amount of success to earn for such a high cost
CJCS Gen. Milley, asked about Afghanistan withdrawal, says 20 years of constant U.S. effort has produced a "modicum" of success.
Quite the optimist.
— Brian Everstine (@beverstine) December 2, 2020
Milley, on the state of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan:
“We believe now that after 20 years, two decades of consistent effort, that we he have achieved a modicum of success.”
More than 775,000 service members have deployed to Afghanistan. Nearly 2,400 dead, and 20K wounded.
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) December 2, 2020
Others added that Milley's analysis of the situation, even if it's interpreted as defeatist, still downplays the reality on the ground over the last two decades.
Some people will give Milley some credit here. Oh he’s telling the truth. No. It’s been an abject failure. By every metric. Especially when most of the metrics are currently classified. They don’t usually do that when they are successful.
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) December 2, 2020
More stories from theweek.com
Florida attorney reportedly under investigation after telling Republicans to change 'your address for the next 2 months' for Georgia runoffs
5 absurdly funny cartoons about Trump's desperate fraud claims
Trump reportedly derailed a GOP meeting about the Georgia Senate runoffs by praising QAnon
