Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley questioned Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the United States Central Command, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and General Mark Milley during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan.
His focus? “You left them behind!” Hawley declared. Not holding back the obvious failure in Afghanistan, the senator focused on the key problem among the myriad of failures in Afghanistan — leaving Americans behind to an enemy.
What should be the response to military leaders who leave Americans behind? That is what should be determined as a result of the Senate hearing. The right answers would include doing whatever it takes to rescue Americans left behind, as well as consequences for those guilty of doing so.
So far, no leaders in the military or Biden administration have been fired over failures in Afghanistan. How is this possible? Leaving behind billions of dollars worth of military gear, 13 dead soldiers, abandoned Americans and a failed drone strike — someone did something wrong that deserves punishment.
It’s easy to say we should fire everyone, but that’s not the reality. Instead, someone should be experiencing consequences, but so far that hasn’t happened. But at least Hawley makes the point obvious — it’s all about leaving Americans behind and what should be done about it.
