Bloomberg Opinion columnist Eli Lake joins Jonah for a thorough discussion of the tragic situation in Afghanistan. Is President Biden’s leadership to blame for the catastrophe? Did Biden ignore warnings that withdrawal would result in a Taliban takeover? And how did the Afghanistan war go from being celebrated on Saturday Night Live to such a tragic conclusion? Things aren’t all doom and gloom, however, as Eli is sure to end on a note of optimism. The American experiment has endured challenges on the global stage in the past, but rejuvenation has also been accomplished. Besides, America’s adversaries have plenty of their own problems to contend with.

Show Notes:

-Eli’s page at Bloomberg Opinion

-Eli’s review of Jonathan Rauch’s The Constitution of Knowledge

-It happened

-David Sanger: “For Biden, Images of Defeat He Wanted to Avoid”

-Jonah: “Dishonor in Afghanistan”

-Well this is awkward

-Eli: “Framed and Guilty”

-Murphyism

-“Suckers and losers”

-The great debate

-Eli joins Bari Weiss’ symposium

-Biden’s latest remarks, which may or may not date this episode

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