What we have been watching unfold in Kabul is an airborne Dunkirk. As was the case with Dunkirk, the events that led to the disastrous situation in Kabul were the result of incompetence on the part of politicians.
But we can take some comfort in the fact that thanks to the heroic dedication of our armed services and embassy staff, at least the evacuation of 17,000 desperate people from the airport in Kabul can be regarded as a victory in what is by any standard a resounding defeat. But the Taliban, Islamic State, al Qaeda and other extremist organisations should not make the mistake of thinking that the West’s resolve to defeat them has been broken. The Nazis’ victory at Dunkirk did not save them from being annihilated in the end. It may take time and it certainly won’t be easy but in the end good will always triumph over evil.
Robert Readman
Editor’s Reply
Dear Robert,
After the US withdrew from Afghanistan, we are now left with the question of what’s next for its people. While your optimism is admirable, a strategy is necessary. Britain will judge the Taliban “by its actions, rather than by its words” — what this means in practice is yet to be determined. Women face an uncertain future, the LGBTQ+ community are in terror, and there are fears the country will become a breeding ground for terrorism. What will be the West’s trigger for action?
Emma Loffhagen, Comment writer
Car-free streets must go ahead
Boris Johnson is right to insist that councils cannot simply rip up traffic reduction schemes without implementing credible alternatives. But any attempt to create safe places to walk and cycle will fail so long as consensus of consultations is sought as most road users are drivers. The time for asking is now over; the polite approach has not worked.
Dave Degen
